From 20 to 22 May 2026, the 16th International Conference on Sustainable Development through Nuclear Research and Education – NUCLEAR 2026 brought together leading voices from across the nuclear sector to discuss the future of clean energy, innovation, and workforce development.
Organised by RATEN ICN Pitesti under the auspices of the Romanian Academy, in cooperation with the National University Alliance for Nuclear Energy, the Academy of Romanian Scientists and the Technical Sciences Academy of Romania, the conference served as an international platform for dialogue, strategic cooperation and knowledge exchange in the nuclear field.
At a time when the global community is accelerating efforts toward decarbonisation, energy security and technological resilience, nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as an essential component of a sustainable and reliable energy mix. Against this backdrop, NUCLEAR 2026 highlighted the growing role of advanced nuclear technologies in supporting the clean energy transition and strengthening energy independence.
The 2026 edition took place during a period often referred to as the “Nuclear Renaissance,” where discussions surrounding nuclear development are rapidly transforming into concrete industrial projects and long-term national strategies. From the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to the advancement of Generation IV reactor technologies, the conference emphasized how nuclear innovation is shaping the future of global energy systems.
Researchers, industry representatives, regulators, policymakers and international organizations gathered to address some of the most important technical, economic and societal challenges facing the sector today. The conference audience reflected the diversity of the nuclear ecosystem, bringing together experts from research institutions and academia, industry leaders and SMR developers, regulatory authorities, international bodies and strategic decision-makers.
One of the key discussions within the Nuclear Education & Training section focused on the future nuclear workforce and the importance of strengthening collaboration across the sector.
Dr. Raluca-Andreea Nedelcu, Leader of Work Package 6 (WP6) within the Skills4Nuclear initiative, emphasised the need for cooperation rather than competition in addressing the growing human resource challenges of the nuclear industry.
During the session, Dr. Nedelcu presented the objectives and progress of the Skills4Nuclear (S4N) project, including the project deliverables currently available on the S4N platform. The presentation highlighted the increasing need for coordinated actions at both national and European levels to attract, educate and retain the next generation of nuclear professionals.
A central message of the discussion was the importance of building integrated partnerships between industry, universities, research institutes, training organizations and public authorities. Dr. Nedelcu also raised interest in the creation of a national collaboration and integration platform capable of connecting all stakeholders involved in Romania’s nuclear sector, with the objective of supporting long-term workforce development, knowledge transfer and educational modernisation.