Sheffield Scientist helps young people to understand the impact of a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste on their community

If your community volunteers to be considered as a location for one of the UK’s long-term radioactive waste disposal sites, who better to talk to the young people in that community than someone who is researching the safe storage of these materials.

Materials Science and Engineering PhD student James Mansfield explains the geological disposal of nuclear waste to primary school children
Materials Science and Engineering PhD student James Mansfield explains the geological disposal of nuclear waste to primary school children

That is precisely what James Mansfield, final year PhD researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, did on a visit to Cumbria.

Over two days, James gave talks to a group of young adults and primary school children in the Allerdale area to help them understand the methods used for containment, immobilisation and storage of radioactive waste materials that have been generated over several decades.

Allerdale is one of the UK communities that has volunteered to find out more about the GDF, with a view to having the site built in their region.

The online event for 16-25 year olds was part of the Your Voice programme of events organised by Cumbria Future Leaders to engage young adults in the region on issues that matter most to them. James’s talk was ‘GDF (Geological Disposal Facility): What is it and what does it mean to you?’, and he talked about what radioactive waste is, where it is currently stored and what the plans are for storage in the future. He also discussed the potential risks and the ongoing research into ensuring that these risks are minimised.

This presentation was supported by the Allerdale  Working Group and Radioactive Waste Management (RWM), with Tracy Badham, RWM’s National Social Responsibility Manager, answering questions on the proposed GDF and the selection process.

The full presentation, plus the question and answer session was recorded and can be watched here.

The following day, James went into two primary schools to talk in more general terms about electricity generation, where nuclear fits in this industry, and some of the concerns about nuclear waste. 

As part of this talk, he described the method of multi-barrier containment for the waste materials by wrapping pupils up in layers of cling film, aluminium foil, paper towel and greaseproof paper, with each layer representing part of the waste containment system. By recording the heat emitted from the pupil (‘nuclear waste’) before and after the ‘containment’, it is possible to demonstrate how the radiation (heat in this instance) is kept inside the container by using multiple layers of different materials. We understand that the risk assessment for this exercise made for interesting reading!

James also used Lego models to show how the GDF will be constructed, and how little impact it will have on their environment.

Doing outreach events like this is one of the best parts of being a PhD student! I love helping other people to enjoy Science as much as I do, and hope to continue doing this long into the future!

James Mansfield

Materials Science and Engineering PhD student

RWM Community Engagement Coordinator, Alison Beard who supported the event said: “Young people are really important stakeholders in the conversation around GDF and the Working Group want them to be able to access all the information and support they need to properly understand it.”

“James did a fantastic job of explaining and illustrating the science behind Geological Disposal in a way that was fun and engaging. The experiment they did to explain the multi barrier system (the combination of man-made and natural barriers that would isolate and contain radioactive waste) was really effective and the Lego GDF was a big hit! All the students took a real interest and seemed to hugely enjoy the session.”

The presentations were arranged by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) as part of its Cumbria Future Leaders and Primary Business Partnership programmes. The CforLP builds links between young people, schools and businesses through a range of diverse projects in Cumbria.  

Sarah Glass, Executive Director at the Centre for Leadership Performance added, “We were thrilled to work with James to ensure young people understand these opportunities and challenges and can be part of the conversations. Much of the work we do at CforLP is to ensure we create opportunities for local employers to engage young people to inspire, inform and learn from each other, and enlisting the support of experts gives them the facts they need.”

Leesa Osborn, a Year 6 teacher said: “We were delighted to be contacted by the Primary Business Partnership, offering a workshop in school run by RWM and the Allerdale GDF Working Group.

The children had the opportunity to learn all about different types of electricity. The workshops were fun, informative and engaging and the children loved taking part. In my experience, this is the best way for children to learn and to remember key knowledge.”

These presentations were an important part of the decision making process as they start the conversation with the generation who will see the most impact of these facilities, and give them the opportunity to engage with the planning process.