Melanie Windridge Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

London, England, United Kingdom

Fusion Energy Insights helps ahead-of-the-curve professionals see the opportunities in the growing fusion industry so that they can drive the energy transition profitably. With a PhD in plasma physics, a flair for communications and 20 years experience across public and private fusion, I founded Fusion Energy Insights to help take people from clueless about fusion to understanding the impact it could have on their lives and business.I created a space where professionals who recognise the huge transformative potential of fusion can find out about fusion and commercialisation, stay informed and up-to-date, and meet others in the community who can help them achieve their goals.Sign up for our free newsletter or join our community: www.fusionenergyinsights.com

FusionX connects capital to opportunity in the fusion energy sector, tracking, intermediating and encouraging capital flows into the fusion energy sector.

Work with Science and Technology SMEs - as the interface between the complex science and the general public - and in the Education sector. I also work on what I call my "personal projects"--writing books and giving talks about subjects that interest me. I wrote a small introductory book (a collection of blogs) on fusion energy, a narrative exploration of the northern lights, and a narrative journey on the science that enables us to climb Mount Everest (not yet published).Clients include (past and present):Tokamak Energy - a private company aiming to achieve commercial fusion energy in spherical tokamaks. www.tokamakenergy.co.ukIprova Sarl - Swiss-based Engineering IP. www.iprova.comThe Ogden Trust - supporting Physics education. www.ogdentrust.comScience Communication work includes:Speaking - talks on Fusion Energy, the Northern Lights, opportunities in Physics and on Science and Adventure.Writing - Popular science book 'Aurora:In Search of the Northern Lights' published by Harper Collins, 2016. Articles published in various magazines and online blogs.Videos (YouTube) - Science of Everest playlist on Institute of Physics channel and #MountainScience and #ExpeditionAlpine videos for Anturus Education showing science through adventure. Miscellaneous TV/radio/podcast interviews and appearances on fusion energy, aurora and Everest.

I've seen Tokamak Energy grow from a company of around 6 people to almost 200. For many years I was responsible for the public output of Tokamak Energy--working with PR and design teams to showcase Tokamak Energy's work and promote the goal of abundant fusion energy as soon as possible, and taking care of articles, website, social media content and videos (YouTube and otherwise) whilst contributing to public events and various other communications activities. As the company became larger I contributed particularly to the translation of the technical work of the science and engineering teams into stories for dissemination, either through press releases, videos or social media. I also represented the company through speaking engagements, interviews and events, and in work with the Fusion Industry Association.

Coordinating FIA activity in the UK and working on fusion communications.I worked with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and BEIS (the Dept for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) as an advocate for private fusion businesses and on common projects, such as the FIA/UKAEA survey report "The Global Fusion Industry in 2021".I built and grew the FIA YouTube channel and started twice-monthly Fusion News videos, among other content, including looking for sponsorship to grow the team and activity, and then managing the team and budget.I worked with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) on events and initiatives around fusion enterprises and commercialisation of fusion energy.I represented the FIA as a spokesperson at events and in the media.

With funding from Swiss government agency CTI, Iprova has developed a new and highly disruptive technology for inventions. Iprova is working with over 10 of the world's top 100 companies by revenue across sectors which include oil & gas, communications, mobile devices, lighting, healthcare, automotive and shipping.

I was based at UKAEA Culham (now Culham Centre for Fusion Energy) whilst working for my PhD. I studied a plasma instability called the Vertical Displacement Event in the MAST tokamak, a world-leading spherical tokamak. This involved analytic exploration, theoretical modelling, computer simulation and experimental work and analysis to understand the movement of the bulk plasma in the tokamak and the consequences of the plasma hitting the wall (primarily halo currents).

Lausanne, Switzerland

Work placement at the Swiss Plasma Physics research centre (CRPP) in Fusion as part of my study and preparation for a PhD.Projects included analysis of experimental data of a tokamak instability, the Edge Localised Mode, and simulations to test the efficacy of different feedback scenarios in minimising damaging effects of disruptions.

Work in the Accounts Department of busy fashion agency and sole distributor of Juicy Couture brand.Responsible for processing customer and supplier invoices using SAGE software, dealing with customers and making payments, as well as having a strong administrative role.Exceptionally busy, fast-growing company requiring strong prioritising skills and quick working whilst paying strict attention to detail. Strong team-player in the small but efficient, and demanding, accounts team.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Plasma Physics - Fusion Energy

Msci, Physics

Treasurer of Dance Society 1999-2000 Attended Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France, 2000-2001