Background

The generation of lawyers, diplomats and policy makers who negotiated the primary instruments in the field of nuclear law have retired and the next generation is on the verge of retirement as well. For many new nuclear lawyers, their connection to the past is tenuous and their understanding of the development of this field is minimal. Learning from the past is critical to prepare for the future.

There has been insufficient provision to contribute to the development and adaptation required of nuclear law to meet the demands of the future, and the reduction in teaching of nuclear law has held back university-led applied research, at doctoral and post-doctoral levels, resulting in emerging gaps in the international and national legal and regulatory frameworks as new nuclear technologies and applications move toward reality. 

The NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy (Global Forum) established the Working Group on Re-Establishing Nuclear Law Education Programmes (GF-WG5 or Working Group 5) in March 2023, in part, to address these challenges.

This working group brings together academics and professionals from different universities and law schools who will regularly meet to exchange information on existing nuclear law programmes, discuss challenges related to the implementation of nuclear law curricula (including research funding) and assist in the further development of graduate programmes in nuclear law.

Mission

The mission of GF-WG5 is to:

• explore and assist in the development of graduate-level nuclear law programmes; 
• expand the number of qualified educators to generate a new generation of nuclear law
  professionals; and
• enhance university capacity to undertake doctoral and post-doctoral level applied research.

Members and Leadership

Chair 

Paul Bowden  Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom

Working Group 5 Bureau

GF-WG5 will comprise no more than 25 representatives from NEA and non-NEA member countries. There are currently 17 representatives from 11 countries.

A Bureau consisting of a Chair and one or more Vice-Chair(s), representing geographic and gender diversity, will be selected from among its members to co-ordinate and facilitate the work of GF-WG5. The Bureau will meet as needed and at least twice a year. The members of the Bureau are:

• Argentina, Dr Emiliano Jerónimo Buis, University of Buenos Aires
• Australia, Ms Tina Soliman Hunter, Macquarie Law School
• Belgium, Mr Quentin Michel, University of Liège
• Canada,  Mr Rudiger P. Tscherning, University of Calgary
• Czechia, Mr Jakub Handrlica, Charles University
• India, Mr Shiju Mazhuvanchery, SAI University
• Japan, Prof. Toyohiro Nomura, Gakushuin University
• Singapore, Ms Denise Cheong, National University of Singapore
• South Africa, Mr Tumai Murombo, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• United Kingdom, Mr Paul Bowden, Nottingham Trent University 
• United Kingdom, Aleks Cavoski, University of Birmingham
• United Kingdom, Robert Lee, University of Birmingham
• United Kingdom, Mr Volker Roeben, Durham Law School
• United Kingdom, Stephen Tromans, Queen Mary University
• United States, Ms Donna Attanasio, George Washington University
• United States, Mr Günther Handl, Tulane University
• United States, Mx Emily Hammond, George Washington University

Secretariat

The NEA Division of Nuclear Law (DNL) currently provides Secretariat services for GF-WG5. 

Kimberly Sexton Nick Head, NEA Division of Nuclear Law

Robyn Jordan Paralegal, NEA Division of Nuclear Law