ITER: The Giant Fusion Reactor

Michel Claessens is a scientist and essayist. He was the head of communication and external relations of the ITER project from 2011 to 2016. His background is physical chemistry (Ph.D.) and science journalism. He joined the European Commission in 1994 where has been acting the head of the Communication Unit in the Research Directorate-General, spokesperson for research, editor-in-chief of the "research*eu" magazine and in charge of the science and technology Eurobarometers until 2010. He is now an advisor to ITER's Director General. Michel is also teaching at the Free University of Brussels and has published a dozen of books and essays, including:At the Human scale – International practices in science communication (avec Donghong Cheng, Jenni Metcalfe, Bernard Schiele, Toss Gascoigne et Shi Shunke), Science Press, 2006Communicating European Research 2005 (M. Claessens editor), Springer, 2007Communicating Science in SocialContexts (edited by D. Cheng, M. Claessens, T. Gascoigne, J. Metcalfe, B. Schiele, S. Shunke), Springer, 2008Science communication in the world (Bernard Schiele, Michel Claessens and Shi Shunke editors), Springer, 2012

• The Future of Energy.- What is Nuclear Fusion?.- A Brief History of Iter.- Why in France?.- Building A Gigantic Machine.- A Machine Manufactured in 35 Countries.- Those Who are Against Iter.- Why so Many Delays and Cost Overruns?.- How to Manage Such a Complex Programme?.- Is Iter Really Safe and Clean?.- Iter is Heating up the French Economy.- Will Fusion Become Commercial?.- Chinese in Provence.- How to Communicate a High-Tech Project?.- Quest for the Fusion Grail.- Beyond Technology Diplomacy.- New Technical Challenges.- Becoming a “Fusion Whistleblower”.- What is Next?.

“Michel Claessens’ second edition of ITER: The Giant Fusion Reactor is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of energy, fusion technology, and large-scale international scientific projects. It provides an accessible yet detailed account of ITER, celebrating its achievements while honestly addressing its challenges. This updated edition not only informs but also inspires, showcasing the potential of human ingenuity and cooperation in solving some of the most pressing challenges of our time.” (Karl Tischler, EUROfusion, euro-fusion.org, June 13, 2024)“The ITER project is, above all, a human endeavour, its complexity derived not only from massive components and precisely engineered structures, but also from relationships between individuals. For readers seeking a solid historical account and a unique perspective from a writer who has lived both inside and outside the project ... . ITER: the Giant Fusion Reactor offers an absorbing read. ... his work an engaging narrative.” (iter.org, April 8, 2024)