Alongside Lancaster University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Rebecca Lingwood, the Czech delegation had the opportunity to meet selected staff and students. They were introduced to the latest technological equipment that the university plans to use in teaching and research in the coming period. Current energy challenges—especially in the context of climate change and evolving geopolitical developments—featured prominently throughout the visit. These themes were reflected not only in discussions with energy experts but also, for example, during a session with students of corpus linguistics, who presented the Czech delegation with an analysis of British press coverage on the topic over the past six years. Ambassador Bartuška also addressed energy security during a seminar titled Europe’s Energy: Time for a Fresh Start, which concluded the first day of the visit to the region.
The following day, accompanied by Sellafield’s Chief Nuclear Officer, Paul Robson, the Czech delegation was introduced both to the general principles of how the complex operates and to specific processes involved in the treatment and interim storage of spent nuclear fuel. From the Czech Republic’s perspective, the visit was particularly valuable in the context of strengthening UK-Czech cooperation in the civilian use of nuclear energy, especially with regard to the development of modern nuclear sources such as small modular reactors (SMRs). This cooperation has gained strategic importance following ČEZ’s recent capital investment in the British company Rolls-Royce SMR, which the UK Government has selected as a preferred partner for future investments in small modular reactors.