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York academic named as UK Fusion Programme Director

Posted on 19 July 2017

A University of York physicist has been selected as the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Programme Director of the UK Fusion Programme at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy.

Professor Howard Wilson, a world leader in fusion plasma research in York’s Department of Physics, will take up the role in October on a half-time basis.

He will retain his position at the University of York as Director of both the York Plasma Institute and the Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training.

Professor Wilson said: “Fusion energy research is entering an exciting new phase, with the UK's MAST-U tokamak soon to start operation following a £50M upgrade; JET preparing for a key campaign involving actual fusion fuels - deuterium and tritium; ITER to start operating within the next decade, and the design of the first demonstration fusion power plants to follow ITER developing rapidly.

“I am looking forward to this new role, making sure that the UK fusion programme - UKAEA and universities, as well as industry - is well positioned internationally to maximise the benefits from these opportunities."

World leader

Professor Sarah Thompson, Head of York’s Department of Physics, said: “This appointment recognises Howard as a world-leader in fusion research and his success in growing the York Plasma Institute from conception to become one of the largest and most successful fusion university groups in the world.

“One of the key parts of his new role will be to foster an ever stronger relationship between UKAEA’s research and development  programmes and all UK universities so as to maximise the opportunities that will be created nationally and internationally.”

Howard will begin his dual role from 1 October and will be based in York and Culham on alternate weeks.

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