Since the 1940s, the UK has amassed approximately 600,000 cubic metres of radioactive waste from power generation, fuel reprocessing, decommissioning and nuclear deterrent programmes. The safe disposal of this nuclear legacy is a highly emotive issue of intense public interest. In 2007, the Government adopted deep burial within an engineered Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) as its final disposal policy. The Radioactive Waste Management Directorate of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has been tasked with implementing this policy.

Rob Whittleston is a member of the RWMD research team responsible for devising and delivering the underpinning science supporting the GDF. In his talk, Rob will give a brief history of government policy, introduce the concept of geological disposal and provide examples of the cutting-edge scientific approaches that UK and international scientists are adopting to meet the technological challenge. 

Rob completed a PhD in Biogeochemistry and worked in research roles and in industry before joining NDA. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society. 

Science Exchange Wallingford’s next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th July in Wallingford School Library, St George’s Road, Wallingford.  Light refreshments are available.  Events are free to attend.  We are privileged to be a Café Scientifique.