Anastasiia Markeliuk – PhD Researcher

Anastasiia Markeliuk is a PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool studying public engagement and decision-making in nuclear infrastructure projects. She holds a Master’s in Geography from Kherson State University in Ukraine, where she focused on public involvement in regional development.

Her research examines why local communities engage with or disengage from Community Partnerships linked to the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, and how these partnerships can strengthen community cohesion. With particular focus on small, often overlooked communities, she considers factors such as socio-economic conditions, digital connectivity, physical environment, and place attachment.

Her findings will expand existing understanding of community composition and cohesion, their importance in relationship building with potential GDF sites, and inform NWS of best practices for their future community engagement strategy.