Research
We seek to find new ways of addressing social awareness and understanding of the civil nuclear industry by uniting the nuclear sciences with a range of disciplines, including anthropology, organisation and business, law, history, and science and technology studies. We believe that grasping current preoccupations and debates in the industry may allow us to develop new insights into issues such as nuclear new build, the development of new technologies and the provision of geological disposal facilities. Read more.
Sellafield site futures
Led by The University of Manchester, this project considers Sellafield’s possible end states.
Ethnographer to research robotics in nuclear
The Beam are delighted to announce the arrival of research associate Başak Sarac̣-Lesavre!
Community, vulnerability and wellbeing in Trawsfynydd
The universities of Manchester and Lancaster lead this pilot study exploring issues of community wellbeing and vulnerability in the face of decommissioning.
New fellowship unites AI and anthropology
Researching the social and organisational aspects of robotics and AI in the nuclear industry.
Social value of nuclear decommissioning
University of Manchester led research into the role of stakeholder communication and framing in project management to enable sustainability and social value.
An alternative approach to nuclear public consultation
Today, a diverse group will gather in a ‘hybrid forum’, as part of work to develop alternatives forms of public consultation on nuclear energy.
Beyond consultation: Hybrid Forums for the development of nuclear energy
A collaboration between The University of Manchester and National Nuclear Laboratory, this project will design what is known as a ‘hybrid forum’.
Understanding decommissioning at Sellafield
The first two projects conceived and funded directly as a result of The Beam research network are now underway.
Holistic decommissioning in the nuclear industry
Led by The University of Manchester, this project addresses current debates in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and storage of nuclear waste in the UK.
Adoption of novel technologies for nuclear decommissioning
Led by The University of Manchester, this project explores social and cultural processes of technological innovation in decommissioning the Sellafield nuclear site.