Reflections on developing an identity for the third generation nuclear engineer in the post-fukushima society

Abstract

The March 2011 nuclear reactor accidents at the Fukushima, Japan nuclear reactor complex catalyzed public discussion about nuclear technology and energy worldwide. As part of this, in August 2011, the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California-Berkeley (UCBNE) hosted the 2011 Advanced Summer School of Nuclear Engineering and Management with Social-Scientific Literacy: Reflections on the Fukushima Nuclear Accident and Beyond (the Summer School). This unique program featured world leaders in nuclear engineering, social science, and history. The student body was comprised of post doctorate researchers and graduate students. This chapter will discuss the identity of the nuclear engineer within the context of the post-Fukushima society. Specifically, this is directed to what will be termed the ‘third generation’ engineer. In the upcoming decades, it is this third generation that will lead and shape perspectives on nuclear technology and develop new relationships with society. This chapter is intended to pose questions to the third generation to consider as part of their own, professional self-assessment. This chapter draws primarily from the experiences at the Summer School in an effort to direct meaningful discussions about the need to consider the identity of this third generation nuclear engineer in the post-Fukushima society.