Six young nuclear professionals took to the podium at the YGN National Speaking Competition Final to practice their public speaking skills and complete for the £300 cash prize on Tuesday 7th October.
Each finalist had already won their respective regional heats up against an incredibly high standard of participants.
The annual regional heats and final is organised and run by the Young Generation Network (YGN), a national branch of the Nuclear Institute for young members of the nuclear industry.
NI President Tim Chittenden led this year's judging panel alongside Alison Thompson, Engineering Resource & Talent Manager at NES, and Nick Thorley, YGN Committee Member and former winner of the YGN National Speaking Competition.
After much deliberation by the panel, the winning speaker, Ross Murison from Nucleargraduates, was highly commended for the breadth and relevance of his choice of topic, good use of visual aids and quotes and for delivering a clear well-constructed presentation. His talk was entitled, “British Nuclear History – an unconventional lesson learned.”
In second place, Beth Ripper (NDA) was distinguished by the panel for her novel and engaging presentation technique, criticality of subject matter and audience participation in the presentation of her intriguing question, “What can a jar of sweets, a wooden spoon and an apple tell you about radioactive waste?”
Third place was taken by Douglas Hart who was praised for his novel topic which was original, well explained and developed. He delivered a thought-provoking presentation entitled, “Space based solar power: a new dawn for renewable energy.”
The three winners and three judges: (L to R) Tim Chittenden (NI), Douglas Hart (3rd place), Ross Murison (1st place), Alison Thompson (NES), Beth Ripper (2nd place), Nick Thorley (YGN).
Also taking part was Patrick Burr (Imperial College London, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation), who delivered an insightful talk entitled, “Experimentalist are from Mars, theoreticians are from Venus. Interdisciplinary dialog is the key to scientific progress,” which left the audience with the message that despite your discipline, working together is always the way forward.
Kate Martin (Atkins) presented her emotive talk exploring the psychological and emotional aspects following a nuclear disaster, “Life in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone – why did some residents choose to go back?”
The final speaker of the night, Amy Robson (Jacobs) delivered an informative presentation on “First Generation Magnox Storage Pond: The refurbish to Decommission Paradox,” which covered very current and real issues faced at Sellafield.
Before the winners were announced, a champagne business card raffle draw was conducted and Alys Gardner, YGN Vice Chair, presented an overview of the Young Generation Network and the important role it plays for young people operating in the nuclear sector.
Jessica Holdsworth, YGN member and event host and organiser, said, "The YGN and the NI would like to thank all the regional contenders, the finalists, the judges, our event sponsor NES and of course the audience for making this event such a success."
The YGN would like to give their acknowledgment to the efforts and successes of Robin Hague (Doosan) and Claire Marshall (Nucleargraduates) who both won their respective regional competitions but were unfortunately unable to attend the final.