2024-04-09
28 分钟The reputation of the nuclear industry has had highs and lows during the career of Dr Fiona Rayment, the President of the Nuclear Institute. But nowadays the role of nuclear science and engineering has become more widely accepted in the quest for carbon net zero. Growing up in Hamilton, Scotland during a time of energy insecurity, Fiona was determined to understand more about why her school lacked the energy to heat up all of the classrooms or why there were power cuts causing her to have to do her homework by candlelight - and in nuclear she knew there was a possible solution. But it’s not just in clean energy that Fiona has spent her career, she’s also been involved in investigating how nuclear science can be used in treating cancer and space travel, as well as promoting gender diversity in the nuclear industry. Speaking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Fiona discusses how she’s always tried to keep close to the science during her career in order to keep her ‘spark’! Produced by Jonathan Blackwell
BBC Sounds Music Radio Podcasts hello, and.
Welcome to the podcast edition of the Life Scientific.
I'm Jamal Khalili and this is the show where I get to talk with some of the world's leading scientists and you get to find out what drives them.
So sit back, get comfortable and enjoy the episode.
Hello.
What's your reaction to the word nuclear?
Well, when today's guests first started work back in the early 90s, if she were to tell someone down a pub that she worked in the nuclear industry, they'd likely quickly hurry off in the opposite direction.
These days, the response has changed.
People are interested in having that conversation, although it still prompts debate.
In recent years, the role of nuclear science and engineering has become more widely recognized and accepted in many parts of the world, not just in the quest for carbon net zero with nuclear energy, but across so many other applications as well.
My guest today can tell us more about that.
She champions a range of specialisms spanning all things nuclear.
Having recently been appointed the President of the Nuclear Institute, Dr.
Fiona Raymond regards herself as both a chemist and an engineer who shaped nuclear policy in both the UK and internationally during a career spanning over 30 years.
Despite rising through the ranks to become an advisor to academics, industry and governments, in addition to being a committed proponent of diversity in the sector, Fiona's always ensured that she's never far from the latest scientific or technological developments, something she's made sure of ever since a chat with a friend over a Starbucks coffee that ensured she's kept her spark.
Fiona Raymond, welcome to the Life Scientific.
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to be here, Jim.
During your career, the reputation of the nuclear industry, it's fair to say, has had its highs and lows.
Nowadays, however, nuclear is considered part of the toolbox that we need when having conversations about, you know, energy security, meeting climate goals, how do you see that landscape developing over the next few years?