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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
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August 2026
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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.
2023 ANS Annual Meeting Plenary SPeaker
Senior Vice President for Policy and Public Affairs
Nuclear Energy Institute
John Kotek is Senior Vice President for Policy and Public Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, and serves as President of Nuclear Matters, a national coalition of grassroots advocates working to inform the public and policymakers about the clear benefits of nuclear energy. Prior to joining NEI, John served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy in the US Department of Energy. From 2010-2012, John served as Staff Director to the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, which was charged with recommending a new strategy for the nation’s nuclear waste management program. In 2002, John was the American Nuclear Society’s Congressional Fellow. John began his career with the U.S. Department of Energy in 1989, and has also served as an R&D program manager at Argonne National Laboratory and as a public affairs consultant. He holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Maryland.
Last modified June 12, 2023, 3:14pm EDT
