Introduction: Sociotechnical Research on Nuclear Energy: A Retrospective and an Agenda for Field-Building

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Addressing the complex, 'wicked' problems of nuclear energy requires a dedicated sociotechnical research agenda and concerted field-building efforts. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Aditi Verma; Todd Allen; Sebastian Javier Lecha; Randall Fowler; Sungyeol Choi; Margot Hurlbert; Lisa Marshall; Teva Meyer; Katie Snyder; Siegfried Evens

doi:10.1080/00295450.2026.2691680

August 28, 2026Nuclear TechnologyOpen Access

Introduction: Sociotechnical Research on Nuclear Energy: A Retrospective and an Agenda for Field-Building

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Key Points

To review the evolution of sociotechnical inquiry into nuclear energy and establish a forward-looking research agenda for addressing complex energy challenges.
Conducted a retrospective conceptual analysis framing primary nuclear energy dilemmas as wicked problems.
Synthesized interdisciplinary frameworks integrating social science methodologies with technical nuclear engineering priorities.
Demonstrates that nuclear energy challenges are inherently wicked problems that resist purely technical solutions due to conflicting stakeholder values and framings.
Identifies foundational cross-disciplinary research priorities required to establish sociotechnical nuclear energy research as a cohesive academic field.

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Implication

Conceptual review reveals wicked problems in nuclear energy governance, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary sociotechnical frameworks.

Abstract

I. Many of nuclear energy’s most significant challenges can be thought of as wicked problems [1,2]. Wicked problems, by their very nature, are difficult to define because they may be framed differe...

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Verma et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f07a6c1a8fb52e79ca8b https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2026.2691680

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Introduction: Sociotechnical Research on Nuclear Energy: A Retrospective and an Agenda for Field-Building

Key Points

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Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Introduction: Sociotechnical Research on Nuclear Energy: A Retrospective and an Agenda for Field-Building

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

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