Professor Francis Livens

Professor Francis Livens is Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, responsible for coordination of nuclear research and education across The University of Manchester. He is particularly focused on the linkages between Science & Engineering and Humanities, addressing the societal, cultural and organisational aspects of implementing nuclear technologies in modern societies. He was Nuclear Theme Champion at the Henry Royce Institute from 2017 to 2021. Francis has worked for over 30 years in environmental radioactivity and actinide chemistry, starting his career with the Natural Environment Research Council, where he was involved in the response to the Chernobyl accident. He has worked in many aspects of nuclear fuel cycle research, including effluent treatment, waste immobilisation and actinide chemistry. He has been a member of NIRAB since 2018, is a member of the Office of Nuclear Regulation Independent Advisory Panel, and has recently been appointed as Non-Executive Director of NDA. He has also performed numerous other important advisory roles in the UK and internationally, as a recognised expert in radiochemistry in particular plutonium and nuclear materials.