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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
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.
January 30, 2025|5:00–6:00PM (6:00–7:00PM EST)
Available to All Users
Alchemists have been trying to make gold out of other elements for centuries. Can nuclear science finally make this dream a reality? Join nuclear alchemist Candace Davison as she explores nuclear science’s approach to making “gold," how nuclear transmutation works, and the many ways we benefit from this process. During this Educator Training webinar, she shares activities and resources to teach transmutation concepts, including the Radioactivity Game, Chart of the Nuclides, and the ANS Isotope Discovery App.
Candace Davison
Former Assistant Director for Education and Outreach / Coordinator of the Gamma Irradiation Facility at Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center
Eric Loewen
Chief Engineer and Manager Office of the Chief Engineer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Presentation Slides
