Public Lecture - The Geological Disposal of Nuclear Waste and Its Role in the Energy Transition

As we move through the energy transition and tackle climate change, nuclear power will likely play an increasingly important role. However, a key question is, “what will be done with the arising nuclear waste?”. It is internationally recognised that the safest method for the permanent disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste is in a deep, underground Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). The UK has, along with several countries, has embarked on a project to identify potential sites for the construction of a GDF, noting the suitability criteria includes a detailed understanding of the local and regional geology. In this talk I will outline the motivation for the UK GDF programme, and the key role that geoscientists are playing in site characterisation, safety case development, and ultimately, the engineering of a subsurface repository for nuclear waste. Speaker Bio Chris Jackson is Technical Director at the engineering consultancy WSP and Visiting Professor of Basin Analysis at Imperial College London. Chris works in the general area of sedimentary basin analysis. When not studying the subsurface of the Earth, Chris gives geoscience lectures to the public and in schools, having appeared on several, Earth Science-focused, television productions and podcasts. Chris is engaged in efforts to improve equality, diversity, and inclusivity in Higher Education. Schedule This Public Lecture will take place on Tuesday 13 October 2026. This is a hybrid event, which can be attended in person at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, or online via Zoom. 17:30–18:00: Guests arrive for the Public Lecture. Refreshments served in the Lower Library. 18:00–19:00: Talk takes place (including Q&A) 19:00-20:00: Drinks reception in Lower Library 20:00: Event end