Nuclear Physics: From Daresbury to Cape Town
16 Jun 2026
In partnership with iThemba LABS and the University of Brighton, our Nuclear Physics Group organised a series of workshops in South Africa to encourage the sharing of vital nuclear science expertise.
Our resident Nuclear Physics experts Marc Labiche, Paul Morrall, and Philippos Papadakis helped to arrange the two-week-long event in May, which began with two training workshops facilitated by the Southern African Institute of Nuclear Technology & Sciences (SAINTS).
The first session, “Spectrum, Presentation, Analysis and Manipulation”, delivered introductory lectures on environmental measurements, accelerator mass spectrometry and data analysis tools. It attracted seven participants from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
The second session focused on techniques for thin-film target-making for nuclear physics experiments. Six participants spent three days learning how to make and characterise these specialised targets.
“It was very rewarding to see the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge all the students displayed. I was particularly pleased by their keenness to network and look for opportunities to collaborate.”
Philippos Papadakis, Nuclear Physicist and workshop lecturer, shared.
“Thank you to STFC for partially funding these workshops, which will bolster human-capacity development, especially in nuclear and data science, in South Africa and the rest of Africa.”
Professor Richard Newman, SAINTS Manager, added.
Next, attendees were invited to the 6th Advanced Nuclear Science and Technology Techniques workshop. Spanning a full week, the workshop included topics from environmental and safety applications to blue skies research in nuclear structure.
Over 60 researchers, students and industry professionals attended the workshop in person, with a further 30 joining virtually and a total of 12 countries represented. One participant shared: “This workshop created real opportunities to connect with collaborators I would not normally meet”.
“The success of ANSTT6 highlights the strength and growth of the nuclear science community across Africa. The combination of excellent science, strong student participation, and real collaborative outcomes made this one of the most impactful editions to date."
Dr Pete Jones, Senior Scientist and co-organiser of the Workshop remarked.
“It has been a real pleasure to exchange information and knowhow on techniques used in modern-days nuclear physics research with participants who rarely have opportunities to interact with experts and are clearly eager to learn new skills.”
Dr Marc Labiche, Head of the Nuclear Physics Group at Daresbury said.
This activity was funded by grants awarded by the STFC International Science Partnerships Fund’s Research Infrastructure Partnership Programme, the South African National Research Foundation and hosted by iThemba LABS, Cape Town.
Shanyn Hart from iThemba LABS and a member of the DASSIE collaboration, showing the dedicated PANGoLINS/DASSIE Lab to ANSTT6 participants.
ANSTT6 participants learning about the capabilities of iThemba LABS before visiting the individual experimental vaults.
ANSTT6 participants visiting the K600 magnetic spectrometer, one of just two zero-degree spectrometers worldwide for nuclear physics research.
Looking at individual cells under the microscope at the biophysics experimental vault.
SPAM workshop participants with some of the lecturers celebrating after a successful week.
Philippos discussing data analysis techniques with the participants of the SPAM workshop.
Paul and Sizwe demonstrating target manufacturing techniques in the lab.
The visit to the radiation biophysics division sparked the interest of many workshop participants.
Students and trainers enjoying the wildlife at iThemba LABS.
