The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, through its Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework, with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) delivered the first NextGen Nuclear Leaders Summer School on 13-17 July. Hosted in Karlsruhe, Germany, the week-long programme brought together 34 students and early-career professionals, selected by an expert committee, to strengthen non-technical skills essential for the next generation of nuclear experts.
The summer school was designed to complement technical expertise by focusing on leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, policy, law and ethics. Through lectures, discussions and practical exercises, participants developed a more holistic understanding of the increasingly complex environment in which the nuclear sector operates.
The programme opened with keynote speeches from William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General and Ulla Engelmann, Director of Safety and Security at the JRC. Participants were then introduced to international frameworks that govern the peaceful use of nuclear energy by Matteo Gerlini, University of Siena. Kimberly Sexton Nick, Head of the NEA Division of Nuclear Law, delivered sessions on the foundations of nuclear law and the legal frameworks that support environmental protection in nuclear activities. Willem Janssens, Head of Nuclear Safeguards and Security at the JRC, examined the history and evolution of nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation, and Jacques Repussard, former Director General of the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) and a lecturer at SKEMA Business School, explored the leadership challenges associated with maintaining high standards of nuclear safety, security and radiological protection.
The second day focused on the ethical and societal dimensions of nuclear energy. Gaston Meskens, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), led an interactive examination of the ethical challenges involved in nuclear energy governance. Adrian Bull, Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society at the University of Manchester and member of NEA’s High-Level Group on Stakeholder Engagement, Trust, Transparency and Social Sciences (HLG-SET), explored the complex relationship between nuclear facilities and the communities they serve. Jessica Lovering, Uppsala University, demonstrated why social license, transparency and inclusive decision-making are becoming increasingly important for the successful deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
Communication and stakeholder engagement were central themes. Yevgeniya Tomkiv, President of the SHARE (Social sciences and Humanities in ionising radiation REsearch) Platform, introduced participants to stakeholder identification and mapping techniques to ensure meaningful and balanced engagement processes. Adrian Bull then outlined key elements of effective communication and engagement strategies, including risk communication and plain-language messaging. Ludger Benighaus, the Dialogik Research Institute, examined how risk perception influences public understanding and trust during crisis situations, and Adriana Scialdone, Spanish Nuclear Safety Council, focused on identifying misinformation and developing effective strategies to address it.
Following this, leadership took centre stage, with a special mentoring session which brought together Ulla Engelmann, Tatiana Ivanova, Head of the NEA Division of Nuclear Science and Education, and Willem Janssens, who shared personal reflections on mentorship, career development and leadership growth. Renata Kaminska, SKEMA Business School, also presented on how leaders can manage technical, organisational and societal complexities inherent in the nuclear sector. Tatiana Ivanova highlighted the challenges and opportunities shaping nuclear energy development, including the sector’s evolving workforce needs. The presentation also outlined NEA programmatic efforts to help address gaps with skills and talent required to support the continued growth and development of nuclear energy.
A defining feature of the summer school was a multinational case-study exercise that ran throughout the week. Working in diverse teams, participants analysed realistic nuclear-sector scenarios from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, developing solutions that balanced technical, legal, ethical, social and communication considerations. The exercise culminated in team presentations and an awards ceremony, showcasing the interdisciplinary thinking encouraged throughout the programme.
Stéphanie Cornet, Chair of the NEST Management Board from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), brought the meeting to a close and presented certificates for the participants.
The event included a visit to JRC laboratories, providing first-hand exposure to cutting-edge nuclear research facilities and practical applications. Beyond the academic programme, the event also served as anopportunity for young nuclear professionals to connect with peers from around the world. For many NEST Fellows, it was a chance to reconnect with colleagues they had met through previous NEST projects and activities, strengthen existing networks and foster lasting international relationships.
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants – reported highlights included the lectures and sharing of experiences by experts, the collaboration opportunities with group exercises, the networking with peers from diverse and interesting backgrounds, and the lab tours, among others.
The NextGen Nuclear Leaders Summer School will become a flagship NEA activity under the NEST Framework, with the second edition planned to take place in 2028. Interested participants are encouraged to watch for the call for applications in late 2027.
