This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features an interview with Paul Howarth, who became president of the Institute of Physics (IOP) in February.

The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. Representing 21,000 members, it supports physicists at all stages of their careers and seeks to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds.

With a PhD in nuclear physics, Howarth has had a long career in the nuclear sector working on the European Fusion Programme and at British Nuclear Fuels, as well as co-founding the Dalton Nuclear Institute at the University of Manchester and serving as chief executive officer of the National Nuclear Laboratory.

He talks to Physics World’s Michael Banks about his career in nuclear energy and his priorities now as president of the IOP. These include improving physics education and raising the profile of physics and physicists across society.

Howarth also voices concerns about recent funding cuts to particle physics, astronomy and space science in the UK, saying it could hamper the flow of students into the subject, with a potential impact on burgeoning areas such as quantum tech.

• The Institute of Physics owns IOP Publishing, which brings you Physics World.