Madinka Bright Mweetwa attended the Reactor Physics Technical Forum 2026 which was organised by the Institute of Physics (IOP). The forum was held from 2nd to 3rd September 2026 at the Rolls-Royce Learning and Development Centre. The forum aims to strengthen connections across the reactor physics community and support knowledge exchange between organisations working throughout the nuclear sector.
During the forum, Madinka Bright Mweetwa presented A narrative around Research Reactor applications and the Question “Does the United Kingdom need a Research Reactor?”
The aim of the presentation was to highlight some of the applications of research reactors, and to inspire a discussion around the need for the United Kingdom (UK) to develop or enhance a research reactor programme. It was indicated from the presentation, that applications of research reactors cut across basic and applied research in particle and nuclear physics, radiochemistry, neutron activation analysis, materials sciences, nuclear power, and nuclear medicine.
The discussion around the presentation emphasised the need for enhanced engagements between the reactor physics community and Policy makers in the quest to champion the need of a research reactor. Further, the discussion highlighted that the UK would benefit from a research reactor through medical isotope production as well as innovative nuclear fuel material testing. It was also noted that the research reactor would be useful for reactor physics training under PANDA and PLANET projects.
