Thomas P. Keating

Thomas Keating is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Thematic Studies (TEMA), specifically within the Technology and Social Change (TEMAT) unit at Linköping University, Sweden. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, speculative thinking, and nuclear memory communication, with an emphasis on managing nuclear waste over deep time.

Education:

• PhD in Human Geography, University of Bristol, UK
• Teaching positions: UNSW Canberra (Australia), Swansea University (UK), European School Brussels (Belgium), University of Bristol (UK)

His research spans three main areas: Nuclear Futures, which addresses the management of nuclear waste repositories over 100,000 years and communication to future generations; Speculative Thinking, which uses continental philosophy to expand empirical research; and Technologies, which explores an ontogenetic reading of technology following Gilbert Simondon. He is particularly interested in accountability for nuclear waste stewardship across deep time and civil society engagement in nuclear governance.

His recent publications (2021-2025) focus on nuclear waste management, deep time communication, and the philosophical implications of technology. Key themes include warning systems for future civilizations, civil society in nuclear governance, and speculative approaches to non-human agencies.

No scientific awards were mentioned.

Thomas Keating is the principal investigator on two major research projects: "Managing Eternity?" funded by the Swedish Research Council (2025-2028), and "Nuclear Diplomacy?" funded by Mistra (2025-2027). These projects examine accountability and civil society involvement in nuclear waste management over deep time. He has no listed advisees.

He is affiliated with the STRIPE (Socio-technical Research of Infrastructures, Politics and the Environment) research group at Linköping University.