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A Global History of the Nuclear Age at the University of South Wales
by Dr Fiona Bowler
Over the last few months, I have
had the pleasure of teaching a third year history module on the global history of the nuclear age at the University of South Wales. The module explores the history of the nuclear weapons by studying the impact of nuclear mining, nuclear testing, and the nuclear energy industry on marginalised communities across the world.
We have studied the experiences
of uranium miners and testing servicemen, as well as the way that nuclear weapons have shaped British, American, Japanese, and Chinese culture. The module has also considered the evolution of nuclear strategy, which has of course become particularly relevant due to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine.
I have just submitted my PhD thesis on the history of Britain’s nuclear testing programme and the evolution of a community of British nuclear test veterans under the BNTVA, and I have enjoyed sharing my research with the University of South Wales’ students, who have shown a keen interest in this topic.
The module has enabled students to think critically about how nuclear testing has affected indigenous communities in the Pacific and in Australia, but also to consider how these tests have impacted British nuclear test veterans, their family members, and their descendants. Students have produced short introductions to specific nuclear places, including testing sites and uranium mines, and we have spent lots of time in class discussing the lived experiences of nuclear testing.
The success of this module and its popularity among students really
brings home the relevance of Britain’s atmospheric nuclear testing programme to todays’ history students, and the importance in continuing to inform future generations about the legacies associated with the programme.
The BNTVA’s CEO, Ceri, who is also a Visiting Fellow at the University, gave a talk to the students in the final week of the module on the BNTVA and its work with nuclear test veterans, and the organisation’s support of this module has really helped to inform and shape its delivery to students.
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CAMPAIGN SPRING 2022
Dear Mum and Dad,
Just a few lines to let you know that I haven’t been blown up. The bomb was a complete success, although I was disappointed with its size.
I hardly felt a thing, but it was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It started off as a big golden fire wall and burst into a terrific lily-white cloud, the purest white that you could imagine. Then a spiral came up from what appeared to be the sea and formed the stalk. It was tinted with a delicate pink and looked simply marvellous against the pure blue sky.
As far as I know I haven’t been contaminated but I shall know later.
The countdown was just as I had imagined it and I had a job from laughing aloud. It was really thrilling, and I enjoyed it.
Well cheerio for now. There’s nothing else to say but I thought you might want to know that I was ok.
Keith xxx
Seaman DK Pike 450 Mess HMS Warrior C/O GPO London
15 May 1957