Nuclear security culture

Join the latest in a series of monthly webinars organised by the Nuclear Security Culture Programme (NSCP).

Past incidences have served to illustrate the importance of the human factor in ensuring that nuclear security systems function effectively. Dr Christopher Hobbs and Jasmine Auda will explore the history, conceptual basis and practice of nuclear security culture. They will discuss how culture developed as a key concept in the nuclear context, starting with its origins in nuclear safety before moving on to discuss its more recent rise to prominence in the rhetoric and practice of nuclear security.

This talk will showcase the relevant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines and other international guidance. It will also examine the challenges and opportunities in developing nuclear security culture programmes at the organisational level, drawing on the speakers’ experiences working with the nuclear industries in the UK and Jordan.

About the speakers

Dr Christopher Hobbs is Co-Director of the Centre for Science and Security Studies (CSSS) and a Reader in Science and Security within the Department of War Studies at King’s College London (KCL), UK. He is also member of the Steering Committee for the Fissile Material Working Group (FMWG) and Programme Director for the UK’s Nuclear Security Culture Programme (NSCP).

He has published widely on nuclear security, non-proliferation, intelligence and verification issues, with his research focusing on bridging the gap between policy and practice, exploring these issues at the operational level. His most recent research examines the how human factors can either undermine or serve to strengthen nuclear security and the utility of international guidance and models in identifying and addressing potential issues.

Jasmine Auda is the Deputy Managing Director at the Middle East Scientific Institute for Security (MESIS), an independent non-governmental organisation based in Amman, Jordan associated with the Royal Scientific Society. The organization serves as a regional center of excellence in shaping dialogue and cooperation around mitigating a diverse set of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks. In this capacity, Jasmine supports the design and development of programmes that seek to address various risks to regional security in the Middle East.

She also leads the organization’s Regional Radiation Detection Training Center. Jasmine received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from New York University, and a Master’s Degree in Political Economy from King’s College London.