The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will be working alongside the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) following an announcement of a new partnership.
The joint venture between UCLan and NNL will see the two organisations evaluate projects in the nuclear sector to better understand the public value that they add.
Both organisations have been working together on the portfolio of policy science, with an emphasis on public value, that will enable them to better conduct research and advance the education of the public.
Dr Lynne Livesey, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at UCLan, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to jointly collaborate on new policy implementation in the nuclear sector.
“Together we’ll develop innovative work in public value management for local, regional and international benefit at our Westlakes Science and Technology Park situated in Cumbria.
“We aim to be part of wider portfolio of case studies including the NDA and ESA working with collaborators to achieve wider public benefit.”
Along with the Samuel Lindow Foundation, UCLan has developed a portfolio of policy science work at Westlakes over the last 25 years.
As partners, UCLan and NNL will be developing a programme that examines the value and impact of nuclear projects, and both enterprises will work with stakeholders, customers, local government and sections of the public.
Representatives from both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a special signing ceremony, held in Cumbria.
Dr Paul Howarth, CEO of the National Nuclear Laboratory, said “The value to the public of science and technology goes way beyond the basic monetary measures of cost and return on investment and impacts so many other areas in the public sphere.
“It’s right that science and technology and particularly nuclear, and its contribution to public value is considered in this way.
“I’m delighted that we’re working more closely with colleagues at UCLan and the Samuel Lindow Foundation to better understand the value that nuclear brings to the public and also to extend this work to achieve a greater appreciation of energy economics as we move forward with nuclear power as a key part of the wider energy mix.”
