Professor Kevin Hesketh, Senior Research Fellow, National Nuclear Laboratory and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham has been awarded the Institute of Physics (IOP) Nuclear Industry Group Career Contribution Prize 2016 for his outstanding contribution to research, governance and training in the UK and international nuclear industries.
The Institute of Physics Nuclear Industry Group is a collection of physicists involved with or interested in the nuclear industry. The group is concerned with all aspects of the industry, including both the civil and defence-related sectors and reflects the diverse roles that physicists have within it.
The prestigious Nuclear Contribution Prize is awarded to physicists who have spent a substantial portion of their career in the nuclear industry, demonstrated outstanding levels of innovation and have contributed to the development of the industry.
Professor Hesketh’s extensive career in the nuclear industry has spanned over 40 years and many varied technical areas. He has supported a wide range of UK and European initiatives and activities, contributing his extensive knowledge to many important expert groups. He is involved with many international organisations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and is presently the UK representative on the OECD/NEA Nuclear Science Committee (NSC) and Chairman of the NSC Working Group on Reactor Systems.