Technology and policy issues relating to future developments in research and radioisotope production reactors

•Introduces benefits (such as medical isotope production) provided by nuclear research reactors.•Research reactor policy is in some ways more difficult than for large nuclear power stations.•Research reactors present potential risks in the areas of security and non-proliferation.•Assessment is made of future technology policy options for the United Kingdom.•There is a case for developing a new highly proliferation resistant research reactor.

The paper describes current policy issues relating to a range of nuclear research reactors. The benefits of, and the need for, such reactors are described including in areas such as medicine and energy research. Emphasis is given to the potential risks in the areas of security and non-proliferation. Assessment is made of future technology policy options for the United Kingdom and the opportunity of a developing a new highly proliferation resistant reactor is explored. The possibility of collaborating with another country in such an endeavour is considered.