Dr. Colin English is the National Nuclear Laboratory's (NNL) Senior Fellow in Materials.
Can you give us a little background about you and your career?
I originally joined the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in 1973 to undertake research in radiation damage in metals. I have worked in the field of micro-structural components for over 30 years and a constant theme of my research has been developing mechanistic insight into complex in-service degradation processes.
What does your current role entail?
Primarily I undertake and lead consultancy contracts on a number of technical issues in the area of radiation induced degradation of material properties. My customers come from both UK and overseas organisations.
What is your take on the Senior Fellow role?
I was attracted to the position because I believe it is essential for a National Laboratory to give prominence to the importance of technical quality and to interacting with academia.
I hope that I will be able to act as a visible manifestation of NNL's technical quality and commitment to maintaining and developing such quality. A couple of years ago, I was appointed as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Materials at Oxford University, a position I have thoroughly enjoyed. I expect the Senior Fellow role to enable me to expand my interaction with academia, including continuing to build strong links with the Materials Performance Centre URA at Manchester.
The role should also allow me to raise the international visibility of the NNL in the materials area; primarily through establishing key collaborations with overseas organisations.
