International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN): Stimulating the development of academic courses in nuclear security

International concerns over nuclear terrorism have increased dramatically since the events of 9/11 as reflected by the initiation of the Nuclear Security Summit process, which in in the Republic of Korea in 2012 in the second edition of the conference saw 53 heads of State and international organizations. More recently the Fukushima nuclear accident vividly illustrated what a successful nuclear terrorist attack against a nuclear facility might look like and its potential impact on the nuclear power industry. That said the nuclear renaissance seems set to continue, albeit it at a slower pace, with over 60 reactors planned in 14 countries worldwide – and a number of countries examining the potential for meeting their future energy needs from nuclear power. This expansion of nuclear power will not only require officials in many countries to have a better understanding of the technical, policy and regulatory issues associated with nuclear security well in advance of developments in the sector, but also the education of a new generation of highly qualified experts able to prevent, detect and respond to criminal or unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material. In recognition of this the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established in April 2010 the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN), a partnership between the IAEA and academic institutions and other relevant stakeholder with the aim of promoting and supporting a worldwide growth in education programmes/courses in nuclear security. This paper will provide a summary of the progress made to date by INSEN and its members towards this goal, with a particular focus on how to best support the development of faculty members capable of delivering an academic course in nuclear security. Lessons will be drawn from a pilot professional development course, based on the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Series No. 12 - Educational Programme in Nuclear Security, that was completed by King’s College London (KCL) in January 2012 and which involved 13 faculty members from nine countries