In our interview with Jordan d'Arras, Outreach Manager for the STEP project and Fusion Technology Yorkshire at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), we delve into the dynamic world of outreach and community engagement in the realm of fusion energy. Jordan's role takes him across South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, connecting with diverse audiences to foster understanding and support for fusion technology. 

Can you introduce yourself and provide an overview of your role within UKAEA? 

I’m Jordan d’Arras and I’m currently the Outreach Manager for the STEP project and Fusion Technology (FT) Yorkshire. I’m based at the Fusion Technology Facility (FTF) in Rotherham and frequently travel around South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire for outreach events. The Education and Outreach team attend various events and speak to school groups, colleges, universities, community groups and the general public with the aim of increasing knowledge and support of fusion energy. 

Could you discuss the importance of the UKAEA sites in the northern region for advancing fusion technology, particularly the Fusion Technology Facility (FTF) in Rotherham and the West Burton site?  

The Fusion Technology Facility (FTF) in Rotherham is key in helping UKAEA transition from the theory and science of fusion, into the manufacture and delivery of fusion machines. The FTF site was largely chosen for its proximity to world leading manufacturing resources and expertise, which we hope to tap into when building the fusion manufacturing supply chain. The focus of our West Burton site is obviously to host our prototype fusion energy powerplant! Current updates from either site include the delivery of parts for the Elsa magnetic joints test rig at FTF, and the STEP team moving into their new office on site at West Burton, which has given the team room to grow. 

From your perspective, why is outreach an integral component of STEP's mission? 

I think that outreach is vital to the STEP project and the whole fusion industry for a variety of reasons. One is that we need to embed ourselves in the communities that surround our sites because this gives us the opportunity to educate the public and allows them to embrace fusion as the world changing and beneficial technology that it is. Another reason is that as well as creating a manufacturing supply chain for STEP that will produce the parts we need, we also need to ensure that we can create a supply chain of skilled people; it’s the school children of today that we’ll be looking towards to operate STEP so getting them interested, engaged and informed on fusion early is really important.    

Can you recount a particularly memorable/impactful outreach event you have been involved in recently? 

We recently completed one of our larger annual science festivals called GUTS (Get Up To Speed) which hosts around 4000 secondary school pupils from South Yorkshire in 1 day. Seeing school kids from the area I grew up in being given opportunities to learn not just about fusion but about a variety of STEM roles is really great to be involved with. It’s also always nice to hear young people say they want to become a scientist or an engineer in the future, especially if they say that after speaking to us!   

What exciting outreach initiatives or projects can we anticipate from UKAEA in the near future? 

This year, now that UKAEA has more sites and more communities to interact with, we are being involved in much more school outreach as well as our big science festivals.  As usual in October we’ll be heading to New Scientist Live, the biggest science festival in the country, and that’s always jam packed with interesting activities and a really engaged audience. 

Outreach serves to foster community engagement, nurture future talent, and pave the way for a sustainable fusion future. With initiatives like GUTS and participation in prestigious events like New Scientist Live, UKAEA continues to inspire and educate, igniting a passion for science and engineering in the minds of the next generation. As we eagerly anticipate the future, one thing remains clear: the journey towards fusion energy is not just a scientific endeavor but a collaborative effort fueled by curiosity, innovation, and the power of outreach.