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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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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.
September 22, 2023|9:00–10:00AM (10:00–11:00AM EDT)
Available to All Users
American Nuclear Society Executive Director/CEO Craig Piercy sat down with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair Christopher T. Hanson for an exclusive one-on-one interview at NRC Headquarters on September 18, 2023. This in-depth conversation covered a wide range of topics, including advanced reactor licensing, regulatory delays, legal requirements, Part 53, safety, workforce challenges, leadership, and more.
The interview is available exclusively to ANS members to watch this week before it will be released to the public.
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