The EPSRC-funded Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training (Fusion-CDT) exists to help bridge these skills gaps in the UK fusion sector, and two years into my Fusion CDT PhD at the University of York, I have already experienced the immense value that the Fusion-CDT offers.
Renowned for its expertise in plasma physics, the University of York programme has provided me with world-class training in crucial areas such as plasma confinement, stability, and diagnostics – skills essential for overcoming the fusion industry’s challenges in developing fusion reactors and addressing the shortage of highly specialised physicists in the sector.
Within the Fusion-CDT scheme, the University of York hosts a student-led conference and provides outreach opportunities, allowing students to develop valuable skills in communication, public engagement, and science dissemination. These are all critical for closing the fusion industry’s skills gap, especially when it comes to fostering public understanding and support for fusion technology.
From high-quality technical lectures, to engaging younger students and the public on fusion, gaining industry experience through its collaborative scheme, and working hands-on with a fusion reactor, the University of York Fusion-CDT is equipping its students with the means to help close the fusion skills gap in the UK.
