Professor Francis Livens to join the NDA board

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) today announced that the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP has appointed Professor Francis Livens to its board for a 3-year term from 1 December 2020. He is currently Professor of Radiochemistry and Director of The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute.

Dr Ros Rivaz, NDA Chair, said:

"I am delighted that Francis is joining the NDA board. He is one of the UK’s leading nuclear experts and has extensive knowledge of the nuclear sector in the UK and internationally. I look forward to working together with him."

Professor Livens brings a wide range of nuclear and leadership experience to the NDA. He has held a number of senior positions in universities and research institutes. He is a member of the Nuclear Innovation & Research Advisory Board advising Government, as well as the Office of Nuclear Regulation Independent Advisory Panel. He has also performed numerous other important advisory roles in the UK and internationally, as a recognised expert in radiochemistry in particular plutonium and nuclear materials.

As Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, he is responsible for coordination of nuclear research and education across The University of Manchester. He is particularly focused on the linkages between Science & Engineering and Humanities, addressing the societal, cultural and organisational aspects of implementing nuclear technologies in modern societies. He is also Nuclear Theme Champion at the Henry Royce Institute.

Professor Livens has over 35 years of experience in nuclear research, working closely with industry and government. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Chemistry and Member of the Institute of Strategic Studies. As well as teaching undergraduates and post graduate courses, Professor Livens has supervised over 60 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles in scientific journals.