AINSE welcomed more than one hundred students from 30 member universities to its annual Online Winter School during the week of 6 to 10 July.
The 2026 edition marked the 30th anniversary of the five-day event that gives students a deep understanding of nuclear science and technology. The annual program features presentations by leading scientists and engineers from ANSTO, the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) and AINSE’s industry partners that provide a unique insight into ANSTO’s ongoing research activities and the world-class facilities that support them.
This year’s event began with a welcome from AINSE Managing Director Michelle Durant followed by an understanding of country presentation from Brett Rowling, an Analytical Chemist at ANSTO and direct descendent of the national figures of Bungoree and Matora from the GuriNgai Awabakal peoples on the central coast of NSW, who highlighted the importance of Indigenous perspectives in contemporary science.
This was followed by an introduction to the world of nuclear science by nuclear physicist and Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University, Dr Ed Simpson, and an overview of Nuclear Science and Technology by Dr Jamie Schulz, Director of the centre for Neutron Scattering and AINSE Board member. Students were also given a virtual tour of ANSTO’s world-class facilities thanks to ANSTO’s Education and Discovery Centre.
Throughout the week students engaged with leading researchers and STEM professionals from a range of ANSTO facilities, including the Environment, Research and Technology Group, Nuclear Stewardship, The Australian Synchrotron, The Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS), The Nuclear Materials Research and Technology Group, the Centre for Accelerator Science (CAS), the Health Research and Technology Group, and The National Deuteration Facility.
Presentations were also given by AINSE industry partners Atkins Realis, Women in Nuclear Australia (WiN), Australian Young Generation in Nuclear (AusYGN), and Fulbright Australia.
A highlight of the program was a special 30th Anniversary ‘Where are they now’ panel session that brought together former Winter School participants Dr Anton Tadich, Senior Beamline Scientist at The Australian Synchrotron; Dr Anwen Krause-Heuer, Laboratory Operations Manager at the National Deuteration Facility; and Dr Bryce Mullens, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Stony Brook University New York, USA, and 2025 AINSE Scholar Gold Medallist. Each panel member reflected on their Winter School experience and spoke of the inspiration and practical guidance it gave them in pursuing their career paths.
The program also included two Research Roundup session where participants could network and discuss potential research opportunities and career pathways directly with ANSTO researchers in small virtual breakout rooms.
The event concluded on the Friday afternoon with closing remarks from ANSTO CEO Shaun Jenkinson, AINSE President Emeritus Professor Ian Gentle, and AINSE Managing Director Michelle Durant.
The 30th AINSE Online Winter School was a huge success, with high engagement from an enthusiastic cohort of students and inspirational presentations from researchers at the forefront of nuclear science and STEM. AINSE thanks all ANSTO speakers, Facility Session organisers, and Research Roundup participants for their contributions to the success of the 30th Online AINSE Winter School.
Select students will continue the learning and engagement with an on-site Winter School at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus in September.