Meet our core Manchester-based Academic and Professional Services team below, explore nuclear expertise through the University’s Research Explorer or meet our team at the Dalton Cumbrian Facility.

Our Executive Director

Our Executive Director, Professor Zara Hodgson, provides strategic leadership across the University’s nuclear research and innovation portfolio.

She directs the Institute’s strategic vision, working with government, academia and industry to strengthen the UK’s nuclear capability and support national energy goals.

Meet the team

Job title

All Academic Leadership Policy group Professional services

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  Kirsty Armer

  Visiting Professor in Nuclear Fuel Engineering - Kirsty has over 30 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, where she has held a wide range of senior technical, operational and commercial leadership roles at BNFL and Westinghouse - both in the UK and internationally. She served on the board of Springfields Fuels Limited for 14 years and is a previous member of NIRAB. She currently serves on a variety of public sector and charity boards and as an independent industry adviser.

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  William Bodel

  Dalton Fellow in Nuclear Energy Policy – Will’s doctoral research into nuclear engineering materials focused on nuclear graphite and its behaviour under reactor conditions. He subsequently worked on material fracture and life-extension of the UK’s AGR fleet. His current research area is energy policy, focusing on the role nuclear energy can play in the future of the UK.

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  Adrian Bull MBE

  Associate Director and BNFL Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society – Adrian joined the University in 2021, following 40 years in the UK nuclear industry with BNFL, Westinghouse and the National Nuclear Laboratory. His Dalton activities focus on Government policy around nuclear and energy, and on stakeholder and community engagement on nuclear issues.

  Read Adrian's research profile

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  Gregg Butler

  Head of Strategic Assessment – Gregg has 60 years’ experience in most aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle: R&D, planning, commercial, plant, site and company operations and management, director and advisory committee roles. He has published extensively on nuclear topics, and is currently concentrating on Nuclear Energy’s role in Net Zero.

  Explore Gregg's research profile

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  Phil Edmondson

  Interim Director and UKAEA Chair in Tritium Science and Technology – Phil joined the University in 2022 following a decade at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA). His research spans radiation damage in materials for fission and fusion, with particular expertise in fusion breeder blanket and fuel cycle technologies. Within Dalton, he leads activities focused on nuclear skills development and education.

  Read Phil's research profile

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  Patrick Hackett

  Operations Manager – Leading strategy, operations and partnerships to support world-class nuclear research, innovation and collaboration at The University of Manchester for the Dalton Nuclear Institute.

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  Nour Hammoud

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Part of the Dalton Nuclear Policy Group, Nour specialises in fusion energy policy, regulation and non‑proliferation. She holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and has a background in experimental nuclear materials research. Her current work focuses on fusion governance, tritium management and safeguards interpretation.

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  Scott Heath

  Associate Director, Professor of Nuclear Chemistry - Scott’s current research involves development of analytical techniques for trace radioactive nuclides and control of radioactive contaminants in engineered environments. He is Director of the GREEN Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Fission, Associate Dean for Post Graduate Researcher Development and member of the Government Nuclear Skills Task Force.

  Read Scott's research profile

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  Zara Hodgson

  Executive Director and Professor of Nuclear Engineering – Zara has a broad background in nuclear R&D, through the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office and the National Nuclear Laboratory, ranging from spent fuel management to nuclear power systems for space exploration. She joined the Institute in 2024 from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero where she led on nuclear fuel policy.

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  Robert Jones

  Head of Operations - Robert is Head of Operations for the Dalton Nuclear Institute. He is based at the Dalton Cumbrian Facility (DCF), the University’s centre for radiation science. Robert completed his PhD at DCF in 2016 and has worked in various roles within the nuclear industry.

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  Aneeqa Khan

  Lead Dalton Champion and Lecturer in Nuclear Materials– Aneeqa has a background in nuclear fusion, having previously worked at the ITER Organization and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, then a role as Research Fellow in Nuclear Fusion at The University of Manchester. Aneeqa is a lecturer in nuclear materials and the Lead Dalton Champion, volunteering her time to enhance the nuclear community in Manchester. She is Outreach Media and Engagement Lead for the Fusion Power CDT.

  Read Aneeqa's research profile

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  Rachel Law

  Engagement and Communications Manager – Rachel is responsible for the Dalton Nuclear Institute’s engagement and communications activity, and supporting the Dalton Community (based across The University of Manchester) and The Beam nuclear and social research network. She has been a part of the Institute since 2015.

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  Kaman Liu

  Regional Impact Administrator – Kaman supports the Institute’s strategic engagement activities in West Cumbria, particularly the Whitehaven Regeneration Project. She plays a key role in coordinating meetings and events that facilitate collaboration with regional partners. Her work helps to ensure the effective delivery of project objectives and contributes to the University’s wider mission to promote regional development, innovation and community impact.

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  Francis Livens

  Professor of Radiochemistry – With more than 35 years’ research experience across the fuel cycle, Francis has acted as advisor to the nuclear sector both in the UK and overseas. Francis is Chair of the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board and a Non Executive Director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (awarded the 2021 Becquerel Medal) and Member of the Institute of Strategic Studies.

  Explore Francis's research profile

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  Katherine Morris

  Associate Director and BNFL Chair of Environmental Radioactivity - Kath brings expertise in the speciation and fate of radionuclides in engineered and natural environments with over 20 years’ experience. She is Director of the Nuclear Waste Services Research Support Office, based at The University of Manchester.

  Read Katherine's research profile

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  Liam Nicholds

  Nuclear Graduate – Liam is a Nuclear Graduate with a background in Physics and Material Science who is currently undertaking a secondment at the Dalton Nuclear Institute, having previously undertaken secondments at the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Urenco Capenhurst. His is currently helping across multiple projects at the Institute.

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  Lisa O’Neill

  PA and Administrator at the Dalton Nuclear Institute – Lisa partners with the Director, Deputy Director and wider team to streamline operations, coordinate research activities and foster collaborations that advance the Institute’s impact in nuclear science.

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  Beatrice Patience

  Undergraduate outreach and engagement assistant – Bea is working at Dalton part-time alongside her BSc Geography degree at The University of Manchester to focus on undergraduate outreach and engagement, following a year-long placement with the Institute.

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  Fiona Rayment

  Visiting Professor in Nuclear Policy and Capability – Fiona has over 30 years' experience in Nuclear across policy, strategy, technology and operational roles nationally and internationally. She was previously the Chief Science and Technology Officer at the National Nuclear Laboratory and created the current version of the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office. She serves on multiple Government and company boards and nuclear advisory committees.

  Read Fiona's research profile

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  Samantha Roberts

  Administrator – Sam is an experienced administrator who has worked in the Dalton Nuclear Institute since 2012, providing day-to-day support to the team and to Dalton-led events. She has worked on several nuclear projects including NNUMAN, EPSRC Compositional and Structural Evolution of Plutonium Dioxide, and the NWS Research Support Office

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  Clint Sharrad

  Deputy Director, Professor of Nuclear Engineering – Clint has more than 20 years’ experience in translating the understanding of radionuclide behaviour in various systems to support developing and optimising engineered processes across the entire nuclear fuel cycle. He is the lead for the Nuclear Engineering, Science and Technology (NEST) facility and the Molten Salts in Nuclear Technology Laboratory National Nuclear User Facility.

  Read Clint's research profile

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  Neil Smart

  Visiting Professor in Nuclear Engineering he is a highly experienced nuclear sector leader with over 30 years’ expertise across research, policy and governance. Neil contributes to the Institute’s policy engagement through deep technical knowledge and national‑level leadership experience.

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  Robin Taylor

  Professor of Actinide Chemistry - Robin has over 30 years' experience leading R&D projects in the nuclear industry. He is joining the University on a part time basis from UKNNL where he is the Senior Fellow for Actinide Chemistry. At the University he will focus on the behaviour of actinides in industrially-relevant systems and analysing the sustainability of future nuclear fuel cycles.

  Read Robin's research profile

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  Sasha Wynn Davies

  Visiting Professor in Nuclear Enabled Regeneration, Regional Engagement and Social Value – Sasha has extensive experience in socio-economic development, stakeholder engagement and communications across the nuclear sector. Previously Head of Strategic Development (Wales) for the Horizon Wylfa project and founding Programme Director of Anglesey Energy Island, she serves as Chair of the Wales Nuclear Forum and Trustee of the Nuclear Institute.

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