British Science Week: Changing skylines
For 75 years, AWE has been keeping the nation safe, protecting the UK through nuclear science and technology. As we reflect upon British Science Week’s theme of Change and Adaptation, we want to share how both investment in our facilities and safe decommissioning will ensure AWE continues to meet the future needs of the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent.
No other organisation can do what we do to defend our country. That’s why we are renewing our facilities, enhancing our science and analysis capabilities and investing in material recovery through the Future Material Campus (FMC). The Future Material Campus (FMC) is a unique and exciting opportunity for the UK to push forward its expertise in science and technology, and secure the UK’s position as a global leader in nuclear technologies.
Our Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP) addresses broader infrastructure needs, including new office accommodations, laboratories, testing facilities, and advanced manufacturing facilities for non-nuclear components.
Other key projects include The Hub, an integrated new-build solution consolidating science laboratories, engineering workshops, clean rooms, offices, and training facilities. Designed to support adaptable and flexible working environments, The Hub will also house a dedicated space for our growing apprentice academy and a science wing. The Multi Material Facility (MMF) will be a modern manufacturing facility that will provide future capability and flexibility to respond to future programme needs.
Our liabilities management programme focuses on safely decommissioning legacy facilities. This programme ensures that hazardous materials are managed safely. Decommissioning and constructing new buildings are integral parts of AWE’s investment strategy, ensuring we are always ready to deliver on our purpose: to protect the UK through nuclear science and technology.
Our strategic partnerships with the academic and industrials sectors are critical to STEM research and innovation, increased capability, knowledge and skills – in the process, creating a talent pool and inspiring future generations to contribute to the defence of our nation.
We bring long-term benefits to the UK through our contribution to science, and the scientific community. AWE makes research and development facilities, such as the Orion laser, available to external researchers. We actively engage and fund PhD students (32 in 2023, and 67 in 2024) as well as providing industry leading expertise as peer reviewers to help other organisations in related fields. And we have a wide programme of engagement with 37 UK universities, and four strategic alliances with the University of Bristol, Cranfield University, Heriot-Watt University, and Imperial College London. Collectively these deliver technical research projects and create innovations, and pursue new opportunities for the benefit of national defence and security and the government’s STEM agenda.
Our industrial collaborations are a vital part of our approach to external engagement and our role in building the UK’s defence and nuclear security capabilities. Collaborations with industrial partners are essential to identifying, understanding and connecting with national and international advances and developments that ensure AWE is able to fulfil its mission – through adopting novel technologies, sharing best practice and attracting high-calibre people to join the nuclear industry.
These include partnerships with the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory, Space Park Leicester, and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, part of The Catapult Network of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres with more than 65 national locations.
By working in partnership with academia and industry, we are investing in skills and expertise for the defence sector. These ongoing infrastructure projects will generate opportunities across the supply chain for collaboration with the UK’s wider industrial base – driving innovation, creating jobs, developing skills in nuclear science, and supporting future growth and economic prosperity.
