A science expert in Oxfordshire has received a major award in recognition of his achievements. 

Prof Sir Ian Chapman, chief executive officer of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year's honours for services to global fusion energy.

The UKAEA is based at the Culham Science Centre near Abingdon.

The professor said: "It is such a privilege to work with brilliant people who will change the way we produce and use energy, and this honour is a reflection of the things that we achieve as a collective.

"Very rarely are major advances made in science and engineering without a team endeavour, and I think this tremendous honour reflects the achievements of the whole of UKAEA."

In 2020 Prof Chapman was reappointed to lead the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as its chief executive for a second term of office, following four highly successful years deepening its scientific capabilities, its technological collaboration with industry and its international reputation.

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He has continued to lead the UK’s magnetic confinement fusion research programme at Culham.

This includes running the world’s most powerful operational fusion research machine, the Joint European Torus (JET), on behalf of the European Union.

He said in 2020 following his reappointment: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead UKAEA through exciting changes over the next few years.

"As we strive to tackle climate change and at the same time deliver benefits to the UK economy, our fusion energy mission is more vital than ever."

Ian Chapman joined UKAEA after receiving his MSc in Mathematics and Physics from Durham University in 2004, before completing a PhD in plasma physics from Imperial College London in 2008 – rising to become UKAEA’s Head of Tokamak Science in 2014.

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His research has been recognised with a number of international awards, including the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013, the American Physical Society Thomas H Stix Award in 2017 and the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019.

He chairs the IAEA Fusion Research Committee.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

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