THE NEF CDT Spring School is always one of the highlights of my PhD year, bringing together the PhD students from our cohort across the UK, with different research background! It is always exciting to see how everyone's hard work and research progressing. What I particularly enjoy is the collaborative environment the CDT promotes, being able to exchange ideas, discuss challenges as a PhD students, and learn from both senior and junior PhD students working across very different areas of nuclear research. It really helps place my own PhD work into the wider context of the nuclear sector and reminds me how interconnected many of these challenges are.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Spring School is the strong involvement from industry. This year included engagement from organisations such as Rolls-Royce, EDF, Amentum, and several others, which gave a much broader perspective on how academic research connects to real engineering challenges and industrial needs. Hearing directly from industry professionals and CDT alumni was incredibly helpful in understanding the wider impact of research beyond academia, and it also provided useful insight into navigating post-PhD careers. I especially appreciated the openness of the discussions around career paths, transferable skills, and how research can contribute to the future of nuclear energy.
I also had the opportunity to give a presentation on my own PhD work, which was a really a great experience. After nearly three years of research, it was nice to step back and present the overall story and impact of the work in a more accessible way. The questions from people with very different technical backgrounds were particularly valuable, as they challenged me to explain the motivation, significance, and broader nuclear relevance of my research more clearly. It was a great reminder of the importance of communication and being able to articulate technical problems beyond a narrow specialism.
The Spring school is very personally motivating, it strengthened my confidence in the direction of my research and the skills I am developing throughout my PhD journey, while also renewing my enthusiasm for the nuclear industry and reinforcing the importance and value the UK places on nuclear research and innovation.
Wan Wan Mohammad - NEF CDT PhD Student 2026
