UK Project on Nuclear Issues Annual Conference 2022
The Annual Conference is a hallmark of the UK Project on Nuclear Issues, having established itself as the premier UK forum for showcasing the expertise of a new generation working on nuclear issues.
By bringing together emerging and established experts from across the nuclear field, the conference promotes a diverse, informed dialogue on pressing nuclear topics. It provides attendees a chance to discuss and debate fresh perspectives by engaging with other nuclear specialists from academia, government, industry, and the military.
Unconventional ideas and new perspectives are the driving force of UK PONI. Notwithstanding the increased awareness of insufficient diversity among participants in the nuclear field, more also needs to be done to bring a diversity of perspectives on nuclear issues. We value each other’s contributions and we believe strongly that diverse backgrounds and differing viewpoints are key to identifying the best solutions.
UK PONI is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and we welcome participation from women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in all of our events and programmes.
Session recordings
Keynote and Panel Speakers
Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins
Sara Bundtzen
Lucy Millington
Liv Mudal El Baz
Ben Goold
Lacey-Jo Marsland
Dr Robbie Lyons
Samantha Job
Alex Langton
Kate Taylor
Dr Aylin Matlé
Joshua Mulholland
Rhiannon McGrady
Zuzanna Gwadera
Seungcheol Lee
Jamie Withorne
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
UK PONI is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Annual conference speakers were selected through a blind application process, and you can read the details of our application and selection process here.
RUSI is also a member of the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy leadership network. Read more about RUSI’s commitment to improve diversity and inclusion in the nuclear field here.
UK PONI Code of Conduct
UK PONI serves to promote debate and discussion on a wide range of nuclear issues, some of which could be contentious. While the views of all members are welcome, it is vital that these are expressed in a courteous and considerate manner. This is especially true for UK PONI, whose objective is to encourage a next generation of nuclear experts to engage with these discussions, and whose events often feature young speakers.
Conduct not welcome at UK PONI events therefore includes, but is not limited to: repeated interruptions of the moderators or presenters; the use of derogatory language or personal comments; discrimination of any form; misrepresenting the original work of another as one’s own; and the intimidation or harassment of UK PONI members or staff. Should a member engage in any of these forms of conduct or others which undermine courteous dialogue and debate, then the Director of UK PONI – or in the event of his/her absence, a member of the organising team – shall be empowered to prevent admission to an event, seek the removal of a person(s) from an event, and prevent admission to future events.
In addition, the Director of UK PONI shall be permitted, in consultation with the UK PONI Board of Advisors, to withdraw the membership of any member should she/he feel that such a step is warranted. This decision can be appealed in writing to the UK PONI Board of Advisors, as is detailed in the UK PONI Operating Principles. A copy of this code of conduct shall be available online at all UK PONI events.
Conference Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)
For almost 70 years, AWE has supported the UK government’s nuclear defence strategy and the Continuous At Sea Deterrent by researching, designing, manufacturing and assuring the nation’s nuclear warheads. AWE also uses its nuclear know-how and technical expertise to provide innovative solutions that support the UK’s counter terrorism and nuclear threat reduction activities. AWE’s mission is unique and so are its people. AWE works to attract, motivate, develop and retain the best talent and equip its people with the right skills for the future. AWE is a team of more than 5,000 people – proud to be part of such an important mission and proud of their responsibilities to their customer, the Ministry of Defence, and their shareholders. AWE aims to build enduring relationships with their government customers, international partners, suppliers and communities in the locations where they operate. AWE was named as one of the top Best Big Companies to work for at the Sunday Times Best Companies Awards in 2019.
Lockheed Martin UK
Lockheed Martin UK, headquartered in London, is the UK-based arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin UK specialises in the development, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company employs approximately 2,000 people in the UK across more than 20 sites, working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors. For more than 50 years, the US and the UK have worked closely on submarine-based strategic deterrence. Lockheed Martin plays a key role, working through the US Navy to supply the Trident II D5 missile to both nations for this mission. Lockheed Martin UK supports this mission in a multitude of roles across sites in the UK including HMNB Clyde, Bristol, Plymouth and Ampthill, as well as through its shareholding of AWE Management Ltd and partnership in the ABL Alliance managing the Royal Naval Armament Depot (RNAD) at Coulport.
National Nuclear Laboratory
As the UK’s national laboratory for nuclear fission, NNL is harnessing nuclear science to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. We channel our work into four strategic areas: Clean Energy, Health and Nuclear Medicine, Environmental Restoration and Security and Non-Proliferation. These four Focus Areas are the cornerstones of our ambition, shaping what we deliver to our customers and for UK society, and how we invest in our future. We are custodians of a unique set of facilities and capabilities that enable ground-breaking nuclear research and development – including four world-leading laboratories in the North West of England. At a time when society is waking up to acting on the environmental crisis our planet faces, it is impossible to overestimate the scale of the challenge ahead for the UK in reaching net zero by 2050. Without nuclear, the UK will not meet this target on time. And without NNL’s work, the UK nuclear sector cannot deliver what is required.
Silver Sponsors
