Nuclear Matters

Liz Williams

From cancer treatments that save lives to energy solutions dividing the nation, Nuclear Matters explores Australia's nuclear past, present, and future with the help of experts actively working on these issues. Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University (ANU) College of Systems and Society. Its creator, host and lead producer is Liz Williams, Nuclear Systems Discipline Lead for the ANU School of Engineering.

Episodes

  1. 25/11/2025

    Citizen science and nuclear technologies, with Michiel Van Oudheusden

    What roles can citizen science play in the governance of nuclear technologies? In this episode, I explore this topic with Michiel Van Oudheusden, Associate Professor of Public Participation in Science and Democracy at VU Amsterdam. Michiel previously worked at the Nuclear Research Centre in Belgium, and had the opportunity to study citizen science initiatives focused on managing nuclear technologies in both Japan and the European Union. We explore what he found in this work, and discuss how these lessons might apply to the Australian context – particularly given the growth in our involvement with nuclear technology due to AUKUS. This is our final episode for this season. Stay tuned for Season 2 in March 2026. CREDITS Guest: Michiel Van Oudheusden Host: Liz Williams Audio Producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Acknowledgements Thank you to A/Prof Fabien Medvecky for recommending Michiel's work to me. The usual end matter Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded on or listened to, and pay our respects to their Elders – and all First Nations people. If you want to send us some feedback on an episode, email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Keep in mind that this podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    52 min

  2. 29/10/2025

    Exploring nuclear safeguards cultures, with Prof Trevor Findlay

    In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Trevor Findlay, honorary professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne and author of Transforming Nuclear Safeguards Culture: The IAEA, Iraq, and the Future of Non-proliferation. With the world’s growing interest in nuclear technologies—especially in the context of AUKUS and the global push for clean energy—understanding how nuclear safeguards work to support non-proliferation is crucial. But beyond the technicalities lies a deeper, often overlooked dimension: culture. What assumptions shape the way nuclear inspectors operate? How do values, habits, and institutional norms influence the effectiveness of global non-proliferation efforts? We'll explore these questions (and more) in the episode, so listen in. Credits Guest: Trevor Findlay Host: Liz Williams Audio producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Acknowledgements Thank you to Dr Russell Leslie for recommending Trevor's book to me. The usual end matter Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded on or listened to, and pay our respects to their Elders – and all First Nations people. If you want to send us some feedback on an episode, email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Keep in mind that this podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    57 min

  3. 30/09/2025

    How does plutonium behave in marine environments? - with Madison Williams-Hoffman

    This episode of Nuclear Matters takes us to Montebello Island, a former UK nuclear weapons test site off the coast of Western Australia. Our guest is Madison Williams-Hoffman – or Maddy, for short. Maddy is a postdoctoral fellow at the Radinnovate ARC Training Centre for Radiation Innovation at ANU. She uses chemistry to explore how plutonium from the weapons tests carried out in that region have moved through the marine environment. She has kindly joined us to talk us through what she’s found, and help us understand why it matters for our explorations of future uses of nuclear technologies. Credits Guest: Madison Williams-Hoffman Host: Liz Williams Audio producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Contacts If you are interested in projects and wish to contact Maddy about collaborating or joining the group as a student, you can reach her via the email on this webpage. Further reading The Guardian article on Maddy's workThe paper mentioned in the article (with Maddy as lead author)Acknowledgements Thanks to Nanda Dasgupta for introducing us to Maddy. Errata Maddy flagged that the Plutonium ratio they usually look at is 240Pu/239Pu, rather than 239Pu/240Pu. The usual end matter Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded on or listened to, and pay our respects to their Elders – and all First Nations people. If you want to send us some feedback on an episode, email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Keep in mind that this podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    51 min

  4. 26/08/2025

    Trust, technology, and radioactive waste, with Nate Smith

    What do you think about radioactive waste? This is a question that most nuclear professionals need to consider at some point in their careers. In today’s episode, Tellus CEO and Managing Director Nate Smith joins us to talk about what it’s like to establish a radioactive waste facility in Australia. We learn about what radioactive waste is, the many industrial processes –including clean energy technologies –that produce it, and some of the ways this waste is managed. Nate also shares insights into consent-based siting, community engagement with Traditional Owners, and the importance of building trust. CREDITS Guest: Nate Smith Host: Elizabeth Williams Producers: Julieanne Dougherty, Elizabeth Williams Audio Producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the help of Ryan Bloxsom in the production of this episode. Article on the Deep Borehole Disposal method: Available here Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded on or listened to, and pay our respects to their Elders – and all First Nations people. If you want to send us some feedback on an episode, email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Keep in mind that this podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    51 min

  5. 29/07/2025

    Supporting nuclear education, with Dr AJ Mitchell

    In this episode, we explore how education in nuclear science can serve as a bridge between nations. I’ve invited Dr AJ Mitchell, an experimental nuclear physicist here at the ANU, to help us with this exploration. AJ’s journey into international nuclear education began with a simple email—an unexpected opportunity that led to meaningful collaborations with Myanmar and Cambodia that supported nuclear research and education in contexts very different from his own. Credits: Guest: AJ Mitchell Host: Liz Williams Audio Producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which this podcast is being recorded on or listened to, and pay our respects to their Elders – and all First Nations people. If you want to send us some feedback on an episode, email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Keep in mind that this podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    38 min

  6. 24/06/2025

    Securing nuclear technologies, with Jaz Diab

    This episode explores all things nuclear security with Jasmin Diab. Jaz is the Managing Director of Global Nuclear Security Partners and President of Women in Nuclear Australia. She is also a military veteran with a couple of decades of experience thinking about how to secure nuclear technologies – both here and abroad. I am personally fascinated by how experienced nuclear professionals grapple with changes in both technologies and geopolitics. I invited Jaz because I thought she could help me explore this in more depth. Long story short: she delivered. Credits: Guest: Jasmin Diab Host / Producer: Liz Williams Audio Producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Episode notes: Jaz also flags a favourite micro reactor project she's following. You can find out more about that here: Project Pele We discuss Women in Nuclear Australia towards the end of the episode. If you are working in nuclear and support diversity in the workforce, you can Women in Nuclear (Global) or (Australia) for free. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the ANU College of Systems and Society for supporting the production of this podcast. Disclaimers: This podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    48 min

  7. 27/05/2025

    Treating cancer with nuclear technologies, with Professor Eva Bezak

    In this episode, we explore how nuclear technologies play a crucial role in enabling life-saving cancer treatments. Our guest, Eva Bezak, is Professor of Medical Radiation at the University of South Australia and President of Asia-Oceania Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics. I’ve asked Eva to join me today to find out more about how nuclear technologies for medical applications get developed and used to treat patients across Australia. Listen in to find out more about: a day in the life of a clinical medical physicist, what radiation therapy is like for patients, why radiation can help treat cancer (while minimising impacts on healthy cells), how charged particle beams are improving outcomes for some of Australia's youngest cancer patients, how new accelerator-based treatments are developed,the links between fundamental nuclear physics research and cutting edge cancer treatment, andwhat's happening here in Australia to make these treatments accessible to patients that can most benefit.If this episode resonates with you career-wise, check out opportunities to work with Eva via Radinnovate. Eva is Deputy Director of this Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre, which is designed to support industry-linked research opportunities for future nuclear and radiation technology professionals. Full disclosure: ANU is one of the partners involved in Radinnovate (which mostly means I get to run into Eva here on campus from time to time and hear stories about her PhD research at the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility). EPISODE CREDITS Guest: Eva Bezak Host: Liz Williams Producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Feedback: We love feedback. Feel free to share your thoughts about this episode on Apple Podcasts, or contact us directly via email. Notes on content, use and contact details: This episode is marked as containing explicit content because it discusses what it's like to undergo radiation therapy for cancer treatment, and mentions treatment of specific forms of cancers. This may not be suitable for the youngest listeners. We have created this podcast for our educational programs, and are keen to make sure everyone interested in learning more about this topic has access to this information and can share it with others. You are free to use this podcast for non-commercial uses, provided that you attribute this podcast as the original source and do not modify the content. Please contact us via email (link above) for permission if you wish to use this podcast in any other way. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole. Acknowledgements: Liz Williams would like to thank Veronica Taylor for suggesting Eva as a guest on the podcast.

    56 min

  8. 28/04/2025

    Australia's nuclear history, with Dr Jessica Urwin

    Join us as we dive deep into Australia's complex nuclear history with Dr. Jessica Urwin from the University of Tasmania. In this episode, we explore what "responsible use" of nuclear technologies truly means for a nation whose nuclear footprint began long before the Nuclear Age. Dr Urwin's work focuses on how the nation's contributions to global nuclear activities have impacted First Nations communities in South Australia - and how these communities' experiences continue to shape discussions about Australia's relationship with nuclear technologies today. Guest bio: Dr Jessica Urwin is a Lecturer in Environmental History in the University of Tasmania's School of Humanities. She recently finished her PhD in History at the Australian National University, and is releasing her first book - Contaminated Country: Nuclear Colonialism and Aboriginal Resistance in Australia - with Washington University Press. Credits: Guest: Dr Jessica Urwin (University of Tasmania) Host: A/Prof Liz Williams (ANU) Audio producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) Acknowledgements: The production of this podcast is supported by the Australian National University College of Systems and Society. Feedback: We love feedback. Feel free to share your thoughts about this episode on Apple Podcasts, or contact us directly via email. Notes on content, use and contact details: This episode is marked as containing explicit content because it discusses nuclear weapons testing and their impacts on Aboriginal communities in Australia. This content may not be appropriate for young listeners. We have created this podcast for our educational programs, and are keen to make sure everyone interested in learning more about this topic has access to this information and can share it with others. You are free to use this podcast for non-commercial uses, provided that you attribute this podcast as the original source and do not modify the content. Please contact us via email (link above) for permission if you wish to use this podcast in any other way. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for information and education only. The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual speakers and do not represent the official policy or position of the Australian National University College of Systems and Society or the University as a whole.

    54 min

  9. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Nuclear Matters - a new podcast from the Australian National University

    What roles should nuclear technologies play in our world? If and when we choose to use them – how do we do so safely, securely, and responsibly? Nuclear Matters is a new podcast from the Australian National University College of Systems and Society, hosted by Liz Williams (Nuclear Systems Discipline Lead, ANU School of Engineering). Listen in for a sneak peak about the season of episodes to come. Want to get in touch? Email us at nuclearmatterspodcast@anu.edu.au. Credits Host and producer: Liz Williams (ANU) Audio producer: Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio)

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

From cancer treatments that save lives to energy solutions dividing the nation, Nuclear Matters explores Australia's nuclear past, present, and future with the help of experts actively working on these issues. Nuclear Matters is a production of the Australian National University (ANU) College of Systems and Society. Its creator, host and lead producer is Liz Williams, Nuclear Systems Discipline Lead for the ANU School of Engineering.

Information

  • Creator
    Liz Williams
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Australian National University 2025
  • Show Website
    Nuclear Matters