Latest News

This appointment recognises a distinguished career spanning military leadership, national infrastructure, and some of the UK’s most critical defence and resilience programmes.

We are pleased to announce that NuFor 2026, the annual joint conference hosted by AWE and UKNNL, will take place from 13–15 October 2026 at Spaces at the Spine, Liverpool. 

The UK’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is more than a cornerstone of national security- it is a powerful engine driving economic growth, skills development and technological innovation.

AWE would like to extend our warm thanks to everyone who joined us at DPRTE 2026, the UK’s leading defence procurement and supply chain event.

Three AWE sponsored PhD researchers were recently shortlisted to present their scientific posters at STEM for Britain 2026, an annual event held at the Houses of Parliament and organised by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. 

We’re proud to share that AWE has been successfully re‑accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, marking over twenty years of partnership in supporting the growth and professionalism of our materials and chemical scientists. 

AWE is supporting an expansion of UK nuclear doctoral training through a new suite of Doctoral Focal Awards (DFAs), strengthening the skills pipeline essential to delivering our mission, now and in the future, and sustaining national nuclear capability as part of the wider defence enterprise.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 (16–20 March) encourages organisations to move beyond awareness and take meaningful steps to support neurodivergent colleagues.

AWE is pleased to be returning to DPRTE, the UK’s leading defence procurement and supply chain event, at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre. This year Dr Robert Lock and Dr Martin Gilmore will give delegates an overview of AWE’s new Technology Strategy.

Professor Mark Whiting, one of our esteemed William Penney Fellows, from the University of Surrey, shares his views on the power of collective achievement in shaping scientific discoveries.

Robots, VR technology and liquid nitrogen experiments drew busy crowds of curious students to Get Inspired Basingstoke.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has purchased Aldermaston Park, a 139-acre site on the northern boundary of AWE’s Aldermaston site. The site will be occupied by AWE.

Dr. Hugh Goyder, one of our William Penney Fellows, from Cranfield University, takes a moment to reflect on the development of computer simulation as a vital tool for research at AWE.

In late 2025, the Government published the Nuclear Regulatory Review, a landmark report described by the Prime Minister as “establishing a clear and ambitious course to renew our nuclear sector, to accelerate the safe, secure, and affordable delivery of nuclear projects across civil, defence, and decommissioning”. 

We are delighted to announce that Roy Awbery has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC).

As we welcome the New Year, we are proud to announce that three outstanding individuals from AWE have been recognised in the New Year Honours List for their exceptional contributions and dedication.

As the festive season approaches, our scientists have been blending creativity with cutting-edge technology to produce something delightfully unexpected and impressively small. 

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jill Hruby to our Board effective 1 January 2026. Jill brings an extraordinary depth of experience in national security, nuclear deterrence and advanced technology leadership.

On 10 December 2025, the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group officially launched an alliance of 35 organisations committed to advancing science for the benefit of all. We’re proud to announce that AWE is part of this powerful network.

In partnership with the Worshipful Company of Engineers and the Engineers Trust, AWE is proud to launch the Defence Industry Early Careers Engineering Prize for 2026.