2009 Report to Government on National Research and

1.3 CoRWM’s Work Programme for 2008-09 (CoRWM doc. 2266) and the R&D
Working Group’s work plan (CoRWM doc. 2323), stated that CoRWM would be
seeking <strong>to</strong> reassure itself that the R&D carried out would be:
• of appropriate scope and breadth <strong>to</strong> underpin the MRWS programme
• at the forefront of innovation and international developments in the field
• performed by the most appropriate people and institutions
• cost-effective
• aligned with the needs of the MRWS programme
• able <strong>to</strong> access the specialised infrastructure needed <strong>to</strong> work safely with
radioactive materials
• of quality at least comparable <strong>to</strong> that in countries with similar waste
inven<strong>to</strong>ries and demonstrated through a well-defined independent peer
review process
• integrated in<strong>to</strong> skills development activities as an essential component in
developing high level skills
• funded openly and transparently, and performance moni<strong>to</strong>red objectively
• appropriately resourced
• an appropriate mix of applications-focused applied and underpinning
fundamental science programmes
• conducted in a manner that ensures effective co-ordination between different
funding bodies (e.g. NDA, nuclear site licensees, Research Councils) and
activities (waste conditioning, packaging, s<strong>to</strong>rage, disposal).
1.4 CoRWM’s 2006 report also stated (CoRWM doc. 700):
"If the public is <strong>to</strong> have confidence in the proposals for the long-term
management of radioactive waste, it is essential that the areas of uncertainty
and the plans for addressing them are clearly identified from the outset.
Wherever possible, uncertainties should be reduced through further
research. Where this is not possible, the implications for the success of the
programme should be explained along with proposals for managing the
programme in the face of these uncertainties.".
1.5 It was evident at the outset that, <strong>to</strong> achieve all these requirements, the UK needs
co-ordinated R&D that facilitates strategic planning, is open <strong>to</strong> independent
scrutiny, and encourages engagement of talented researchers from a diverse
range of fields across fundamental research and applied R&D. The report
focuses on these aspects. It covers the UK’s current programme and future R&D
needs across all research providers and funding bodies; it is not restricted <strong>to</strong> the
NDA.
1.6 CoRWM emphasises that this report is not intended <strong>to</strong> be exhaustive in the sense
of identifying each and every <strong>to</strong>pic on which R&D may be required or describing
every R&D project that is in progress or planned. Its focus is the mechanisms and
arrangements for specifying R&D needs, carrying out R&D and ensuring the
results are utilised fully in managing higher activity wastes and nuclear materials
that may be declared <strong>to</strong> be wastes. Where R&D on specific <strong>to</strong>pics is discussed
this is solely for illustration of the breadth and depth of the work required in future;
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 13 of 151