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Ross Peel

Dr Ross Peel MEng

Research Fellow

Research interests

  • Conflict
  • Security
  • International relations

Biography

Dr Ross Peel is a Research Fellow in the Department of War Studies and the Centre for Science & Security Studies (CSSS). In this role, he leads research activities on nuclear security and safeguards, and examines the role of nuclear power plants in war and as tools of international diplomacy. Ross also manages a variety of other activities within CSSS, covering topics on non-proliferation, strategic trade controls and open-source intelligence. Ross joined King’s College London as a Research Associate in June 2019 to lead work in nuclear safeguards, machine learning and intangible technology transfer, before taking on his current role in early 2020.

From 2017 to 2019, Ross was an Associate Partner and Nuclear Systems Consulting Engineer with Nuclear-21 Ltd, an international consultancy company specialising in providing critical decision support to nuclear science and technology stakeholders.

Ross gained his PhD from the University of Sheffield through the Nuclear FiRST Centre for Doctoral Training in September 2017, studying chemistry and physics aspects of thorium-based nuclear fuel cycles and spending three months working with AREVA in Paris. He holds an MEng in Mechanical Engineering with French from the University of Sheffield, which included a year studying abroad at INSA Lyon in France.

Research

  • Nuclear security and safeguards, particularly of small modular and advanced reactors
  • International ownership and control of nuclear energy assets
  • Strategic trade controls, particularly intangible technology transfer
  • Non-proliferation of WMD and delivery systems

Teaching

Ross is the module convener for 7SSWN077 / 7SSWM077 – Armchair Intelligence: Open Sources and Online Investigation, an MA module in the Department of War Studies.

Ross also contributes to other teaching within the Department of War Studies as an occasional guest lecturer on topics related to civil and military nuclear technologies.

    Research

    Iran – Exploring proliferation risks and proposing solutions

    This research focuses on exploring proliferation risks stemming from Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and proposing forward looking solutions.

    Project status: Completed

    DPRK - Economic Sanctions and Security in East Asia

    Understanding the effect of uni- and multilateral sanctions regime against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

    Project status: Completed

    News

    King's leads workshops on floating nuclear power plant challenges in Southeast Asia

    King's staff joined nuclear leaders in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand to explore why it will be many years before these technologies will be viable.

    King’s experts, participants and Lemhannas RI staff group photograph from the end of the Jakarta workshop.

    King's academics publish the definitive book on nuclear security with Oxford University Press

    With over 60 contributors spanning six continents, and coverage of historical, current and emerging issues, The Oxford Handbook of Nuclear Security brings the...

    Oxford Academic logo

    New report analyses nuclear security in academic and research settings

    A new case studies handbook has been published that explores how security systems are developed within universities and research institutions to protect...

    Man checking radiation with Geiger counter

    New report issues recommendations for more secure nuclear energy

    It highlights the importance of integrating security and safeguards into the design of future nuclear reactors.

    SMR AMR report Rolls Royce

    New research examines safer knowledge transfer in research settings

    A new catalogue of case studies in the field export control helps universities and researchers pursue academic exchange without jeopardising international...

    Lightbulbs sharing ideas

    US Designates New Iran Centrifuge Material Supply Networks

    Several Chinese aluminium manufacturers have been designated by the US for allegedly supplying dual-use materials to Iran. If the allegations are true, this...

    Gas centrifuge cascade

    Events

    24Apr

    Talk with Dr Tristan Volpe: Nuclear proliferation after Ukraine

    The Centre for Science & Security Studies (CSSS) invites you to attend a discussion on some key questions surrounding the global nuclear order and its future....

    Please note: this event has passed.

    12Oct

    A different kind of nuclear weapon: Russian abuse of Ukrainian nuclear power plants

    Dr Ross Peel explores the events at the Zaporizhzhia power plant since Russian military forces took control.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    19May

    Nuclear security for small modular novel advanced reactors

    Join the May edition of the Nuclear Security Culture Programme webinar series.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    28Mar

    Nuclear Security and Safeguards Considerations for Next Generation Reactors: International Approaches

    Join this hybrid side-event as part of the Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    Dr Ross Peel: “Chornobyl is an event that completely changed how we do nuclear safety and nuclear security”

    Dr Ross Peel discusses the critical lessons learned from Chernobyl and the contemporary challenges posed by the war in Ukraine in terms of nuclear security...

    Chornobyl Disaster

    What are the many risks of shelling of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant?

    ROSS PEEL: Russia’s president Vladimir Putin might wish to control the plant for several reasons

    Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

    Why are the proposals for a demilitarised zone around Europe's biggest nuclear power plant unprecedented?

    DR ROSS PEEL: This is the first time an international body has overseen an endangered nuclear plant during a war.

    Zaporizhzhia 1903 x 558

    Should we be worried about Nuclear Power Stations in Ukraine?

    ROSS PEEL: Concerns were raised over Chernobyl nuclear power plant , but of greater concern should be Ukraine’s 15 operable nuclear reactors.

    nuclear

      Research

      Iran – Exploring proliferation risks and proposing solutions

      This research focuses on exploring proliferation risks stemming from Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and proposing forward looking solutions.

      Project status: Completed

      DPRK - Economic Sanctions and Security in East Asia

      Understanding the effect of uni- and multilateral sanctions regime against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

      Project status: Completed

      News

      King's leads workshops on floating nuclear power plant challenges in Southeast Asia

      King's staff joined nuclear leaders in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand to explore why it will be many years before these technologies will be viable.

      King’s experts, participants and Lemhannas RI staff group photograph from the end of the Jakarta workshop.

      King's academics publish the definitive book on nuclear security with Oxford University Press

      With over 60 contributors spanning six continents, and coverage of historical, current and emerging issues, The Oxford Handbook of Nuclear Security brings the...

      Oxford Academic logo

      New report analyses nuclear security in academic and research settings

      A new case studies handbook has been published that explores how security systems are developed within universities and research institutions to protect...

      Man checking radiation with Geiger counter

      New report issues recommendations for more secure nuclear energy

      It highlights the importance of integrating security and safeguards into the design of future nuclear reactors.

      SMR AMR report Rolls Royce

      New research examines safer knowledge transfer in research settings

      A new catalogue of case studies in the field export control helps universities and researchers pursue academic exchange without jeopardising international...

      Lightbulbs sharing ideas

      US Designates New Iran Centrifuge Material Supply Networks

      Several Chinese aluminium manufacturers have been designated by the US for allegedly supplying dual-use materials to Iran. If the allegations are true, this...

      Gas centrifuge cascade

      Events

      24Apr

      Talk with Dr Tristan Volpe: Nuclear proliferation after Ukraine

      The Centre for Science & Security Studies (CSSS) invites you to attend a discussion on some key questions surrounding the global nuclear order and its future....

      Please note: this event has passed.

      12Oct

      A different kind of nuclear weapon: Russian abuse of Ukrainian nuclear power plants

      Dr Ross Peel explores the events at the Zaporizhzhia power plant since Russian military forces took control.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      19May

      Nuclear security for small modular novel advanced reactors

      Join the May edition of the Nuclear Security Culture Programme webinar series.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      28Mar

      Nuclear Security and Safeguards Considerations for Next Generation Reactors: International Approaches

      Join this hybrid side-event as part of the Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      Dr Ross Peel: “Chornobyl is an event that completely changed how we do nuclear safety and nuclear security”

      Dr Ross Peel discusses the critical lessons learned from Chernobyl and the contemporary challenges posed by the war in Ukraine in terms of nuclear security...

      Chornobyl Disaster

      What are the many risks of shelling of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant?

      ROSS PEEL: Russia’s president Vladimir Putin might wish to control the plant for several reasons

      Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

      Why are the proposals for a demilitarised zone around Europe's biggest nuclear power plant unprecedented?

      DR ROSS PEEL: This is the first time an international body has overseen an endangered nuclear plant during a war.

      Zaporizhzhia 1903 x 558

      Should we be worried about Nuclear Power Stations in Ukraine?

      ROSS PEEL: Concerns were raised over Chernobyl nuclear power plant , but of greater concern should be Ukraine’s 15 operable nuclear reactors.

      nuclear