Humanities and nuclear management An EU initiative helped to enhance the capabilities of Central and Eastern European (CEE) research institutions to participate in research on governance of nuclear energy. The EU-funded PLATENSO project developed a proposal to establish a platform to promote social sciences and humanities into nuclear energy research. Society Energy © Illin Denis, Shutterstock All CEE countries are confronted with the need to take decisions concerning the future of nuclear energy, ranging from continuation of nuclear reactors, new build or phase out. Yet, a reflection on the societal and governance aspects related to nuclear energy matters is often neglected. The PLATENSO project aimed to enhance the abilities of CEE institutions to participate in EU research on governance of nuclear energy. For this, the project developed a proposal for establishing a social platform linked to nuclear technology which would bring nuclear issues into the general energy governance debate in a more deliberate and reflexive way. Furthermore, PLATENSO developed research strategies for eight new EU Member States. These research strategies were tested in three CEE countries (Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) to adapt them to stakeholders’ needs and assess their potential implementation. The extent to which the strategies will be implemented vary depending on the socio-political conditions in each country. Additionally, a platform setting up national networks of relevant research institutions, including both project members and non-members, across eight Member States was established. These networks involved institutions with expertise in nuclear issues and interest in social and governance issues as related to nuclear power. As a result, EURATOM Framework Programme projects should benefit from the addition of these groups’ capabilities and expertise. The multi-disciplinary research platform developed within PLATENSO to promote social sciences and humanities within the field of nuclear technology should be problem driven by the needs appearing from current programmes and future challenges in the nuclear area. Researchers suggested four topical work areas: opinion surveys on nuclear energy, which could help to inform decision-making; share learning on decommissioning; siting nuclear waste repositories and development of Generation IV reactors. All these topical areas encounter socio-technical challenges that may be addressed by inter-disciplinary research. Results of PLATENSO have helped to shape the governance of nuclear energy in CEE states and may improve the involvement of researchers in future EURATOM Framework projects regarding the societal aspects of nuclear research. Keywords Humanities, central and eastern European, nuclear energy, social sciences, governance, PLATENSO
