Dr Andrew Parker
Senior Research AssociateResearch Interests
Dr Andrew Parker is a Senior Research Associate with a wide range of interests and experience. His research is focused on applied gamma-ray detection and its use in nuclear decommissioning techniques, environmental radionuclide monitoring, and radiation detection and characterisation. Andrew started his research career by receiving a distinction on the prestigious Sir John Fisher Foundation MSc by Research (2010) then completing a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority sponsored PhD (2014) at the School of Engineering, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é. During his PhD, he was twice nominated for the Faculty of Science and Technology’s Dean’s Award.
Andrew’s current role is a researcher on Work Package 1 of the Autonomous Inspection for Responsive Sustainable Nuclear Fuel Manufacture (AIRS-NFM, EP/V051059/1, ?1.9M). In this Work Package he works closely with industrial partners (Westinghouse Springfields Nuclear Fuels, and the National Nuclear Laboratory) to develop passive gamma-ray detection techniques to measure uranium enrichment in nuclear fuel pellets. He has previously been part of a ?250k EPSRC funded project (REACTION, EP/T013532/1) developing radiation tolerant criticality monitoring instrumentation and a ?50k NERC funded project to detect tritium in aqueous media (DERiVATE ST/W001810/1), amongst others.
Andrew led a successful ?17k application to National Nuclear Users Facility’s 12th funding call in 2023. The project, entitled ¡®the Fast non-destructive characterisation of nuclear fuel pellets via hyperspectral imaging (National Nuclear Users Facility, ?17k), aims to assess the viability of using hyperspectral cameras in post-irradiation examination. It is collaboration with the colleagues at University of Strathclyde. In addition, he been awarded >?20k in Impact Accelerator, Early Career, and Travel grants.
Prior to returning to Lancaster in 2020, Andrew was a Lecturer of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science at the University of Cumbira (2014-2017) where he was module leader on several undergraduate teaching modules. At UoC, he was Co-Investigator and academic lead on the successful bid to setup up the Centre for Innovative Nuclear Decommissioning (CINDe, ?250k), a Doctoral scheme embedding research students at NNL Workington. During his time at UoC, Andrew completed a PgC in Academic Practice and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In addition to research, Andrew has a demonstrable track record in research assessment management. He worked as REF Project Manager on the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) successful REF2021 submission from 2017-2020. Andrew’s contribution included lead the institutions Annual Research Assessment, developing performance modelling, and delivering in-person updates to Senior University Management. As a result of the UCLan climbed 10 places in the THE league table, from its 2014 position.
01/07/2024 → 31/03/2025
Research
03/07/2023 → 02/10/2023
Research
01/05/2017 → ¡
Research
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Invited talk
- AIRS-NFM