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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Jul 2026
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
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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.
020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting Plenary Special Session Speaker
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Paul Locke, an environmental health scientist and attorney, is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering. He holds an MPH from Yale University School of Medicine, a DrPH from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and a JD degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
Dr. Locke is an international expert on radiation risk communication, policy and science. His research and practice examine what happens when science and law are brought together for decision-making. His research portfolio extends from studies of indoor radon and radon-resistant new construction to personalized risk assessments for space radiation exposure to best practices for radiation risk communication. He has published widely in law reviews and scientific journals. Dr. Locke co-directs the School’s Doctor of Public Health program concentration in Environmental Health Sciences.
Dr. Locke was a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board from 2003 to 2009, and has served on nine National Academy committees including the Committee on Uranium Mining in Virginia (which he chaired) and the Committee on Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving the Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants. He also served on the Board of Directors of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) from 2008 to 2013 and was the founding chair of NCRP’s program area committee (PAC) on radiation education, risk communication and outreach. He was planning chair of the NCRP’s 2010 annual meeting, entitled “Communication of Radiation Benefits and Risks in Decision Making.” He is admitted to practice law in the state of New York and the District of Columbia, the Southern District Court of New York and is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Last modified October 15, 2020, 4:08pm EDT
