The Fusion Footprint - Winter 2026
Quarterly newsletter by the Open Fusion Collective
Welcome to the second edition of the Fusion Footprint - the Open Fusion Collective’s quarterly newsletter that tracks the impact of fusion on society and the planet by bringing together the latest news, media and research on the social and ethical aspects of fusion.
From the Collective
What People Think About Fusion: Insights from Two UK Communities
In this post, Dr Megan Connolly gives an overview of her PhD thesis titled ‘Public Attitudes to Fusion Energy: A Qualitative Study in the UK’. Through interviews with those living around two proposed sites for the STEP project - the UK’s programme to build a prototype power plant - and media analysis, she considers
Nobility In The Quest For Fusion: Pandora's Box or an Elixir Of Life?
In this thinkpiece, plasma physicist and data scientist Luke Simons explores how the ‘quest’ for fusion could unfold. Despite the potential for fusion to be transformational for societal wellbeing and development, Luke suggests that a long-term perspective helps us consider who might benefit, how they might benefit and whether these consequences square …
Six Months of the Open Fusion Collective — and What Comes Next
As the year comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the story of the Open Fusion Collective (OFC) so far, and on how we see it moving forward in the year ahead.
Fusion for All? Exploring Energy Justice in Fusion Development
In this article, Environment & Politics PhD student and OFC team member Sophie Cogan explores the relationship between fusion energy and the idea of Energy Justice - thinking about what it might mean for fusion to truly provide benefits ‘for all’.
The Open Fusion Collective welcomes contributions of all kinds – from opinion pieces and research summaries to artistic expressions. We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at hello@openfusioncollective.org to get started.
News & Media
Chinese nuclear fusion reactor pushes plasma past crucial limit: what happens next - Nature
Nature: ‘Researchers working on China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) have reported breaking a long-accepted threshold that has limited the operation of nuclear-fusion reactors for decades.’
Why the AI Industry Is Betting on a Fusion Energy Breakthrough - TIME
Fusion is being increasingly tied to advances in AI, this TIME article outlines the landscape of start-ups in fusion and how the key players in AI are taking stakes in these companies.
Trump Media bets on fusion energy with $6 billion TAE deal - Reuters
In somewhat unprecedented move, TAE and Trump Media announced a partnership at the end of last year. This article gives a brief overview of the deal and what this means in the current political climate of the US.
With a focus on nuclear power, Takaichi’s energy policy takes shape - The Japan Times
As Sanae Takaichi settles as Japan’s new Prime Minister, her energy policies are becoming more clear. With a renewed focus on nuclear energy over renewable source, also more innovative technologies such as nuclear fusion are increasingly emphasized.
Research
Eugenia Oberong-Akrofi - The Political Economy of Energy Transitions and the Role of Fusion in the Climate Change Debate
PhD candidate Eugenia Oberong-Akrofi’s research is summarised in this piece in the Cambridge Journal of Climate Research. In her work, she combines policy documents and interview data across the US and UK to understand the political forces shaping respective approaches to fusion development in the context of climate change and energy transition.
Merve Biten Butorac, Francesco Nicoli & Roberto Lalli - Unpacking public support for nuclear energy
In a new study Merve Biten Butorac, Francesco Nicoli and Roberto Lalli conduct the first-ever twin conjoint experiment designed to assess public support for both fission and fusion nuclear energy development plans. They reveal that public preferences for nuclear energy development plans, whether for innovative fusion or next-generation fission technologies, are shaped by place (topos), governance (nomos) and effectiveness (logos) oriented considerations. According to the study, respondents slightly favored fusion rather than fission development plans.
Upcoming Events
MIT IAP Course on the ‘Business of Fusion Energy’
MIT are mid way through running an in-person and online course on the techno-economic and commercial challenges and opportunities presented by fusion energy. Topics covered include: future energy systems, markets and supply chains, policy and governance. Online attendance is open to all.
Find more details and registration for the final session here.
UKAEA FOSTER Webinar Series
UKAEA are running a series of 45-min lectures on a range of topics in fusion science, innovation and engineering — a great opportunity to gain a greater understanding of fusion technology.
Register here.
An announcement, event, or anything else you would like to see in the next Fusion Footprint? Get in touch at hello@openfusioncollective.org