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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Nuclear Plant Instrumentation and Control & Human-Machine Interface Technology (NPIC&HMIT 2025)
Technical Session
Monday, June 16, 2025|3:15–5:15PM CDT|Chicago Ballroom G
Session Chair:
Stephanie L. Morrow
Alternate Chair:
Jari O. Laarni
Session Organizer:
Hyun Gook Kang
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Assessing Independence from Human Performance: Considerations for Functional Requirements Analysis and Function Allocation
3:15–3:35PM CDT
Brian Green (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Theresa Buchanan (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Amy D'Agostino (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Paper
Function Allocation: Myths, Process, and Emerging Methods
3:35–3:55PM CDT
K. Dickerson (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), H. Watkins (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), B. Hartle (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), C. Kovesdi (INL)
Revisiting Functional Requirements Analysis and Function Allocation to Support Automation Decisions in Advanced Reactor Designs
3:55–4:15PM CDT
Stephanie Morrow (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Jing Xing (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Niav Hughes Green (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Qualitative Methods in Formative Verification & Validation: Evaluating ConOps for LWR Thermal Dispatch
4:15–4:35PM CDT
Roger Lew (University of Idaho), Olugbenga Gideon (University of Idaho), Thomas Ulrich (INL)
Integrated System Validation for Beyond-Design-Basis Events and Severe Accidents in the Operating License Process: A Case of the Saeul 3 and 4 Nuclear Power Plants in Korea
4:35–4:55PM CDT
Dhonghoon Lee (Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety), Jiyoon Han (Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety)
Human Factors Engineering in Nuclear Safety Assessment
4:55–5:15PM CDT
Jari Laarni (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Marja Liinasuo (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Hanna Koskinen (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Atte Helminen (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Essi Immonen (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Joonas Linnosmaa (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)
