News and events
Ideas and resources for better-informed decisions.
We publish news about the work of the institute, analysis and articles on strategic risk, resilience, preparedness, communication, human factors and public policy, and the events we invite you to. IARS content aims to give context, clarify concepts and connect international lessons with what practitioners and decision-makers actually need.
We select topics relevant to the mandate of the institute and avoid speculation and sensationalism. Where information is incomplete, we state clearly what is known, what remains uncertain and what conclusions can responsibly be drawn. Upcoming events come first, with the registration link when there is one.
News
Case Study on Romania’s Nuclear Diplomacy: Balancing Technology and Security in the Context of the Green Transition and Regional Resilience
As Europe faces the twin imperatives of decarbonization and strategic autonomy, nuclear energy has re-emerged as a critical component of the continent’s energy and security architecture. Romania offers a compelling case study of how a mid-sized country can leverage its nuclear program not only to support climate goals, but to reinforce regional resilience and exert regulatory influence. This article examines the evolution of Romania’s nuclear diplomacy focusing on the transformation of its regulatory authority National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) into a platform of soft power, regional cooperation, and technical leadership. By integrating emergency preparedness systems, piloting the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), and anchoring European safety standards in the Black Sea region, Romania contributes to a new paradigm where nuclear regulation becomes a geopolitical asset. The Romanian example illustrates how technical competence and regulatory trust can serve broader goals of energy transition, strategic credibility, and cross-border stability.
From Search-and-Rescue to Nuclear Scenarios: AI-Enabled UAS for Disaster Management, Security, and Ecosystem Monitoring
Radiological emergencies present unique challenges due to the urgency of protective actions, hazardous environments, and the need for rapid situational assessment. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), offer transformative capabilities in this domain, integrating radiation mapping, search-and-rescue optimization, and ecosystem monitoring to strengthen nuclear safety and emergency response. This article documents a framework perspective for AI-enabled autonomous UAS systems, combining infrared, visual, and Compton camera imaging with real-time machine learning for precise hazard detection and environmental assessment based on available technologies. Operational scenarios co-designed with the help of direct involved parties demonstrate UAS applications in nuclear disaster management, infrastructure security, and post-incident ecological monitoring, highlighting their ability to reduce human exposure, enhance situational awareness, and support informed decision-making. Future research directions include cross-border collaboration to improve preparedness and response for nuclear or radiological incidents.
Airborne concentrations and chemical considerations of radioactive ruthenium from an undeclared major nuclear release in 2017
In October 2017, most European countries reported unique atmospheric detections of aerosol-bound radioruthenium (106Ru). The range of concentrations varied from some tenths of µBq·m−3 to more than 150 mBq·m−3. The widespread detection at such considerable (yet innocuous) levels suggested a considerable release. To compare activity reports of airborne 106Ru with different sampling periods, concentrations were reconstructed based on the most probable plume presence duration at each location. Based on airborne concentration spreading and chemical considerations, it is possible to assume that the release occurred in the Southern Urals region (Russian Federation). The 106Ru age was estimated to be about 2 years. It exhibited highly soluble and less soluble fractions in aqueous media, high radiopurity (lack of concomitant radionuclides), and volatility between 700 and 1,000 °C, thus suggesting a release at an advanced stage in the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. The amount and isotopic characteristics of the radioruthenium release may indicate a context with the production of a large 144Ce source for a neutrino experiment.
Emergency preparedness considerations for Small Modular Reactors: A comparative consequence assessment
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) incorporate design features intended to enhance safety while offering increased flexibility in deployment and operation. Nevertheless, expectations regarding reduced off-site consequences and the potential for significantly smaller emergency planning zones require systematic evaluation from an emergency preparedness and response (EPR) perspective. This paper presents a comparative radiological consequence assessment for three technologically distinct SMR concepts—water-cooled, gas-cooled and molten salt reactors—under severe accident conditions. The analysis follows a consequence-based approach consistent with Level 3 probabilistic safety assessment and employs site-specific meteorological data together with two independent dose-projection platforms: JRodos and an in-house CBRNE modelling and simulation tool. The results are used to evaluate exceedance of generic dose criteria and derive indicative protective action zone (PAZ) and urgent protective zone (UPZ) radii based on maximum downwind exceedance distances and conservative modelling buffers. Although differences among reactor concepts are observed, the findings indicate that off-site emergency planning remains technically justified for all SMR concepts considered, thereby supporting the continued relevance of the fifth level of defence in depth. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on graded EPR approaches for SMRs and provides a practical methodological basis for supporting emergency planning decisions during siting and licensing processes.
Advanced modeling and management strategies for nuclear and radiological incidents: from decision support to adaptive governance
Nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response (EPR) including decision-support systems and emergency management frameworks operate at the intersection of advanced technical modelling, organizational processes, human decision-making, and societal dynamics. This review is based on a critical synthesis of the scientific and institutional literature addressing dispersion modelling, decision-support systems, emergency management frameworks, and large-scale exercise practice in nuclear and radiological emergencies. By examining how modelling outputs are generated, interpreted, and operationalized across preparedness and response contexts, the review identifies persistent gaps between analytical capabilities and real-world decision-making under uncertainty, time pressure, and multi-actor coordination. The analysis reveals that while significant progress has been achieved in modelling and computational tools, their integration into adaptive management and governance structures remains limited. Existing decision-support approaches often emphasize predefined scenarios and procedural compliance, offering limited support for exploratory reasoning and trade-off analysis in complex and evolving emergencies. Building on these findings, the review advances the concept of Hybrid Emergency Operations Centers (Hybrid EOCs) as an integrative operational and governance framework that connects modelling, decision-support, organizational workflows, and human-in-the-loop decision-making. Rather than prescribing optimal decisions, the proposed approach positions advanced modelling to structure decision spaces, enhance transparency, and support adaptive judgement within complex emergency response ecosystems.
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