Head of the Department of Materials appointed to Defra committee

Professor William Lee joins the committee on radioactive waste management – News

By Colin Smith
Friday 26 October 2007

Professor William Lee, Head of the Department of Materials at Imperial College London, was appointed this week to a key government committee looking at how to manage radioactive waste.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) newly reconstituted committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) will scrutinise the government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) plans for the long term management, including interim storage and disposal, of radioactive waste.

Commenting on his appointment Professor Lee said: “I am honoured to be invited by Defra to be part of this important committee which will provide robust scrutiny and independent advice to the government on its strategy for the long-term management and disposal of higher activity radioactive waste.”

Professor Lee's current research is investigating the development of ceramics, glasses and cements for the immobilisation of difficult radioactive wastes.

He brings a wealth of nuclear science experience to the committee. He has a Physical Metallurgy BSc from Aston, a DPhil in Radiation Damage Studies from Oxford University and has held academic positions in the USA at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, and Ohio State University. While at Sheffield University, he was also the director of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd’s (BNFL) University Research Alliance on Waste Immobilisation.

Welcoming the reformation of CoRWM, the Minister of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Phil Woolas said:

“With a strengthened scientific and technical make up I am confident that the reconstituted committee will continue the high standards of evidence-based advice, founded on openness, transparency and engagement, set by its predecessor.”

Professor Lee was appointed to the committee along with 13 other members including chair, Robert Pickard, who is an Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Cardiff and chairman of the consumers association Which?.