Harry McAlister

Co-founder and CEO at OxCo

Harry McAlister is the Founder of The Nuclear Challenge, a dynamic communications movement accelerating public support for nuclear energy through innovative storytelling and education.

His pioneering work on vitamin D awareness reached tens of millions of people, across 150 countries in 15 languages. As CEO of OxCo, he is partnering with Oxford University Innovation to leverage AI, social media and video strategies to drive awareness, advocacy and action on important ideas. He has run campaigns for The World Bank, Princeton, OECD, London School of Economics, and the University of Oxford.

Harry’s passion for nuclear advocacy stems from its potential to transform health, economy, and environment, making complex science accessible and inspiring widespread adoption of clean and abundant nuclear solutions.

Virginia Crosbie

Virginia is particularly passionate about nuclear skills and education. She has actively supported initiatives with the National College for Nuclear and other industry partners, helping to open apprenticeships and training pathways that allow young people to build careers in advanced nuclear projects. Through school visits, public engagement, and events with the Young Generation Network (YGN), she encourages the next generation to explore opportunities in the sector.

In parliament, she chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Small Modular Reactors and contributed to policy discussions that support sustainable investment and delivery of UK nuclear projects. Her advocacy is rooted in a clear vision: strengthening skills pipelines, increasing public understanding of nuclear, and ensuring a sustainable energy future powered by advanced nuclear technology.

Michelle Leslie, Executive Advisor, Deloitte

Internationally, Michelle has represented the nuclear industry as a speaker and panelist at the OECD Nuclear Working Session on Technical Applications of Heat, Canada-UK Nuclear Day (UK), Climate Week (NYC), the IAEA General Conference (Vienna), and Women in Nuclear Canada (Ottawa).

Prior to Deloitte, she worked for the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), supporting strategic vision, engagement, and policy advisory for over 100 organizations across the nuclear value chain. Michelle also held roles at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), supporting communications, policy, and international relations on pivotal nuclear files.

Her work on the Clean Energy Ministerial Task Team, for the Government of Canada, earned her an Interdepartmental Award for her work on advancing policies to support the Canadian energy ecosystem. She also led communications and engagement for the Clean Energy Ministerial Secretariat, collaborating with over twenty country representatives. Michelle is passionate about the social impact of energy innovation and has profiled industry-leading initiatives, including MIT and DOE’s Accident Tolerant Fuels program and Cameco’s community engagement successes.

Her educational background includes Atmospheric Physics, Journalism and Investment Management.

Oxford University Innovation

Supporters of Nuclear Energy (SONE)

Baroness Olivia Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist

Professor Wade Allison

Professor Wade Allison is an Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a leading voice in nuclear physics and radiation safety. His pioneering research in particle physics at CERN and medical applications of ionizing radiation has informed global standards on radiation’s minimal risks, debunking fears amplified by incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Author of Radiation and Reason (2009) and Nuclear is for Life (2015), he argues passionately for nuclear energy as a safe, essential tool for combating climate change, having lectured worldwide—including to Japanese communities post-Fukushima—to shift public perception. As a Fellow of Keble College, Professor Allison continues to educate policymakers and the public on why embracing nuclear power is vital for a low-carbon future.