Sean Robertson

Sean Robertson is an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University, where he leads education and curriculum development across nuclear science and engineering, nuclear safety, regulation and criticality safety. He coordinates Flinders University's postgraduate nuclear education suite, including the Master of Nuclear Science and Technology and Graduate Diploma in Nuclear Science and Technology, and contributes to the development of specialist postgraduate programs supporting Australia's emerging nuclear workforce across defence, industry and government.

Sean has over fifteen years of experience spanning military nuclear operations, engineering, safety assurance, regulation and higher education. Prior to joining Flinders University, he served as a Royal Navy Marine Engineer Officer specialising in the operation, maintenance and safety of nuclear-powered submarines. During his naval career, he held senior engineering and leadership appointments with responsibility for nuclear propulsion plant safety, operational readiness and engineering assurance.

During his service in the Royal Navy, Sean also spent three years as a Senior Lecturer in Operational Reactor Physics within the United Kingdom's Navy Command Nuclear Department. He designed and delivered specialist education in reactor physics and nuclear safety to both military and civilian students, teaching courses up to postgraduate level in support of the United Kingdom's Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and contributing to the development of its nuclear engineering workforce.

Following his military career, Sean worked as a Senior Systems Safety Consultant, advising government and defence industry clients on system safety, risk management, regulatory compliance, safety cases and independent assurance. His experience includes supporting major defence programs in Australia and the United Kingdom, with expertise spanning nuclear and system safety, systems engineering, criticality safety, hazard analysis and organisational capability.

Sean's academic interests focus on nuclear safety, nuclear regulation, reactor physics, nuclear propulsion, criticality safety, defence engineering and nuclear workforce development. He has a particular interest in translating international nuclear experience, regulatory practice and lessons learned into applied postgraduate education for engineers, regulators and technical professionals.

At Flinders, Sean works closely with government, defence, industry and academic partners to develop contemporary nuclear education aligned with Australia's growing sovereign nuclear capability and the workforce requirements associated with AUKUS. His teaching draws upon operational experience, real-world nuclear events and case studies, international standards and regulatory frameworks, and contributions from specialist practitioners to prepare graduates for professional practice in nuclear and other highly regulated industries.