Fusion leaders elected to Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship

The Royal Academy of Engineering has elected two more UK Atomic Energy Authority leaders to its prestigious Fellowship having made exceptional contributions to fusion energy.

Professor Ian Chapman, Chief Executive, and Chris Waldon, Chief Engineer and Deputy Director for STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), join leading figures in the field of engineering and technology.

Both were admitted to the Academy, which comprises around 1,700 distinguished engineers including UKAEA’s Dr Rob Buckingham, Director of RACE, at its AGM in London last night. In joining the Fellowship, they will add their capabilities to the Academy’s mission to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.

Ian Chapman said: “Delivering fusion energy is a huge challenge which requires the very best scientists and engineers in many disciplines working together – I am hugely fortunate to be able to represent a diverse and brilliant team and this honour from the Royal Academy of Engineering is really recognition for all of them.”

The Royal Academy of Engineering brings together the knowledge and experience of some of the best and brightest engineers, inventors and technologists in the UK and from around the world.

Chris Waldon added: “I am really humbled by this peer recognition. I have been fortunate to work with truly exceptional people and teams delivering exciting programmes that can make a difference. As we strive to deliver fusion energy to a world that needs it, joining the Royal Academy community represents a wonderful opportunity to widen the network of those involved so we can deliver ever better and faster.”

Fellowship of the Academy is considered one of the highest national honours an engineer may receive, with every person admitted subscribing to an obligation to promote its charitable aim.

This centres around the “pursuit, encouragement and maintenance of excellence” in the whole field of engineering to promote the advancement of the science, art and practice of engineering for the benefit of the public.

Fusion energy has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come. STEP is aiming to deliver a prototype UK fusion energy powerplant producing net electricity in the 2040s. It is of strategic importance to UKAEA, as well the national and global effort to harness fusion technology in the fight against climate change.

For more information visit step.ukaea.uk