Policymakers and stakeholders' perceptions of science-driven nuclear energy policy

Abstract

This study surveyed 137 policymakers and key stakeholders (e.g., employees of government agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, industry, and advocacy groups) involved in making decisions on nuclear energy policy, investigating how they differentially perceived the importance of scientific evidence in driving nuclear policy. We also identified the policy areas that each group of decision-makers are mostly concerned about and showed how such concerns might contextualize and ultimately shape their perceptions of science-driven policy. Keywords: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Fuel Cycles, Science-driven Policy, Scientist–Policymaker Communication