The University of Liverpool and Research England Policy Fund

Project Merlin: Unlocking Britain’s Nuclear Secrets

History EN ↓ 3 episodes

Academic Dr Jon Hogg and investigative reporter Susie Boniface and special guests discuss the real-time findings of a unique research project on the biggest declassification of nuclear secrets in British history. Each week they share one of 28,000 newly-released files released as a result of decades of campaigning by atomic veterans, who are fighting for official recognition of their experiences. Discussing their findings with experts, survivors and family members, they show the true cost and impact of Britain’s Cold War arms race and the effects it is having on people and politics today.

Author

The University of Liverpool and Research England Policy Fund

Category

History

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 3. The World’s Biggest Bomb 08.07.2026

When the Soviet Union detonated the 50-megaton Tsar Bomba weapon in 1962, the world was horrified at its immense size and power - but relieved when it seemed that there was limited radioactive fallout. Now research in the Merlin database has found that a secret Whitehall committee knew toxic dust was blowing across the British Isles, and decided not to tell anyone. Special guests Alice Shadbolt an...

Ep 2. Lab Rats 01.07.2026

Campaigners and nuclear descendants Steve Purse and Alan Owen join Jon and Susie to discuss the 70-year fight for the truth about what happened to their dads at the UK’s nuclear weapons tests. David Purse and James Owen served at the same time, but 4,000 miles apart - one at Christmas Island in the Pacific where he witnessed 24 hydrogen bombs in 78 days, and another in the Australian Outback at Ma...

Ep 1 - The Merlin Project 24.06.2026

Historian Dr Jon Hogg and investigative reporter Susie Boniface introduce their ground-breaking research project at the Centre for People’s Justice at the University of Liverpool. After 70 years of fighting for the truth about their exposure to radiation at Britain’s nuclear weapons tests, veterans and families were resigned to injustice. After Susie uncovered a secret blood testing programme, hid...

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