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Luke Humphrey

    • About Me:

      I’m an astrophysics graduate 🌠 from Hull 🐟, working on fusion energy research ⚛️. Outside of work, I like gaming 🎮🎲, walking the dogs 🐕🐕🏞️, and movie nights 🎥.

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      I’m from Hull, home of the best fish and chips in the UK! Nowadays I live in Abingdon, a small town near Oxford. I am a computational engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Basically, this means I use computers to do science.
       
      At home, I watch a new movie most evenings, and I love video games too. Every weekend I get together with a regular group to play tabletop RPGs. I also go on lots of walks with my girlfriend and two dogs along the river.
       
      My journey to becoming a scientist was not a straight line. I studied history in Essex but dropped out because I didn’t like it. Then I worked in a supermarket for a few years before returning to Hull to study physics. At first I was training to be a physics teacher, but I switched to an astrophysics course in my second year. I learned about UKAEA and applied to their graduate scheme during my final year, and was very happy to get the job.

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him or they/them

    • My Work:

      I am a computational engineer working on fusion energy research: a worldwide effort to develop a safe low-carbon energy source for the future. Using the latest advanced in super-computing and AI, our team develops advanced software for designing and operating future fusion power plants.

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      I work for the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). We are a government research organisation. We work with other teams around the world to develop a new type of power plant using fusion energy. Our mission is to provide electricity without harming people or the environment.

      I work in the Advanced Computing Department. My work mostly includes:

      • Software development – (Writing code, often in small teams.)
      • Running simulations – (Using supercomputers to test how a reactor and its components will behave under operating conditions.)
      • Reporting findings – (Communicating the results of a project to other people, sometimes as a written report, but usually as a powerpoint presentation.)
      • Training/Learning – (I go to all the training events I can, it’s important to always keep learning.)
      • Outreach – (Communicating science with the public in events like this!)

    • My Typical Day:

      I’m not a morning person; thankfully I work from home and do flexible hours! Every day is different, but I usually work 9 am – 5 pm. I do small tasks in the mornings and focus on my main project in the afternoons, generally this means writing code, running simulations, reviewing data, and writing reports. At lunch, I walk the dogs in some nearby woodland and have a light meal. After work, I cook something nice for tea and relax with some video games and/or a movie before bed.

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      In the morning (~9am-12pm): I have a mug of coffee and sit down in my home office. I keep a paper diary with a to-do list on my desk, and I tend to spend my mornings ticking off lots of smaller tasks like catching up on emails, checking on colleagues and team members, and going to meetings.

      At lunchtime (~12pm-1pm): I go for a walk around the park with my partner and have a light meal (e.g. a banana or sandwich).

      In the afternoon (~1pm-5pm): I work on my main task of the day. Usually this means creating digital models, running simulations, and writing up the results.

      After work (~5pm+): I enjoy cooking, and tend to have a big meal for tea rather than earlier in the day. After tea, I’ll play some video games, then watch a movie before bed (~10-11pm).

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would love to publish a picture book about the physics of everyday situations. This could be things like the best way to cool down a hot drink, why microwave ovens rotate your food, or why the sky is (usually) blue (and why it’s sometimes not)… that sort of thing!

    CV

    • Education:

      • Primary – Westcott Primary School, Hull (2000-2004)
      • Primary / Secondary – Hymers College, Hull (2004-2011)
      • A-Levels – Wyke 6th Form College, Hull (2011-2013)
      • University – University of Essex, Colchester (2013-2014, dropped out)
      • University – University of Hull, Hull (2016-2020)

    • Qualifications:

      • GCSEs (English, Maths, English Literature, Physics, Biology, History, Drama, Graphic Design, Art, and French)
      • AS-Levels (English Lang/Lit and Further Maths)
      • A-Levels (Maths, History, and Physics)
      • Integrated Master’s Degree (MPhys Physics & Astrophysics)

    • Work History:

      • Shop Assistant – Oxfam, Cottingham
      • Process Assistant – Asda, Manchester
      • Fresh Foods Assistant – Asda, Beverley
      • Summer Research Intern – The History Troupe, Cottingham
      • Graduate Software Engineer – UK Atomic Energy Authority, Abingdon

    • Employer:

      I work for the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). We are a government research organisation. We work with other teams around the world to deliver sustainable fusion energy. Our vision of a net-zero future is one where fusion provides much of the baseline (i.e. always-on) energy instead of fossil fuels, working alongside other renewable energy sources to meet growing energy demands.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        sleepy nuclear physicist

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I never had a single thing in mind. I mostly expected to be either a teacher, a graphic designer, or a game developer. None of these ended up being true.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Not as often as I should have been...

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Maybe running a board game cafe or something.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        I've been getting into the Dungeon Synth genre recently, "The Dungeon Synth Archives" channel on youtube has a lot of good stuff from various artists.

        What's your favourite food?

        Trust me on this: I've been enjoying honey & marmite on toast for a few years now. It's truly a hidden gem of the breakfast world.

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        More hours in the day, a cure for aging, and universal basic income.

        Tell us a joke.

        A spanish police officer pulls over a photon travelling at 9 million times the speed limit. Policía: "¿Sabía a qué velocidad iba?" Photon: "Lo siento, no hablo español, soy un fotón." Policía: "Do you know what speed you were travelling?" Photon: "Ah, c."

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