The Next Generation Network (NGN) of the NEA’s Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC) is organising a webinar offering practical insights into the safety case, lookig at the role of confidence-building and communication.
The safety case is not only the technical basis for demonstrating the long-term safety of radioactive waste disposal facilities, but also a key instrument for building confidence among regulators, decision makers, stakeholders, and the public. By clearly communicating the evidence supporting safety and addressing the relevant uncertainties, the safety case fosters transparency, trust, and informed dialogue throughout the repository development process. Drawing upon examples of collaborative projects across the NEA, IAEA and others, this webinar will explore the role of the safety case in advancing the implementation of a deep geological repository (DGR).
Prof Lucy Bailey is a Fellow of both the Nuclear Institute and the Institute of Physics and an Honourary Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester in the UK. Previously Chief of Disposal Safety at the United Kingdom's Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), she led the technical assurance of all safety case work at NWS until retiring in May 2026 to set up a consulting business.
Lucy has over 30 years’ experience in the safety assessment of radioactive waste, specialising in the development of sound safety case approaches that aid communication. An internationally recognised expert, Lucy delivered the UK’s generic disposal system safety case in 2016 and has been an independent peer reviewer of the Swedish safety case, facilitated safety case discussions with stakeholders in the Swiss disposal programme and participated in IAEA expert missions for Belgium, Ukraine and China. Lucy is currently a member of the Safety Assessment Review Group for Nuclear Waste Management Organisation (NWMO), Canada. She has a long-standing, on-going relationship with the OECD/NEA Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC) and was the elected IGSC Chair from 2015-2021.
In 2020, Lucy launched and led the NWS Research Support Office, working with universities to develop and deliver a needs-driven academic research programme to underpin the UK’s geological disposal facility. She has over 50 publications in the field of geological disposal, covering the safety case, strategic approach, research, societal aspects and safety communication.
An experienced written and verbal communicator, Lucy is passionate about sharing her experience and mentoring the next generation, in 2024 she was instrumental in launching the Next Generation Network within the IGSC.
Now working as an independent consultant, Lucy is interested in assignments that promote knowledge sharing and best practice in the fields of environmental safety and stakeholder engagement for the effective long-term management of radioactive waste.
Soufiane MEKKI
soufiane.mekki@oecd-nea.org
