AVOIDING SHORTAGE OF RADIOCHEMISTS WITH THE NAMP RADIOCHEMISTRY WEBINARS

摘要

In May 2012, the National Academy of Sciences issued a report on the demand for and supply of nuclear and radiochemistry experts, a major component of the workforce in such areas as nuclear waste management, the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear medicine, safeguards, and nuclear forensics. The report noted that while many in the current workforce are approaching retirement age, the number of students opting for careers in nuclear and radiochemistry has decreased dramatically over the past few decades. To avoid a shortage of trained personnel, it is necessary to increase student interest in careers in these critical fields, improve the research and educational capacity of universities and colleges, and offer sector-specific on-the-job training. The U.S. Department of Energy originally created the National Analytical Management Program (NAMP) to help coordinate its analytical capabilities and to address national needs in technology and resources. In support of this mission, the NAMP established a subcommittee to promote training and education in radiochemistry to avert the predicted loss in expertise. In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and university partners, the NAMP developed a series of two-hour webinar presentations by experts on different topics relevant to radiochemistry. The Departments of Energy and Homeland Security offer these free webinars as live, interactive conferences. Recorded and archived versions comprise a library vital to future generations of radiochemists and scientists interested in radiochemistry. The first webinar, An Overview of Actinide Chemistry, was presented on April 20, 2012. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants clearly demonstrates that the NAMP webinars are making a difference by providing unique educational opportunities in radiochemistry. This paper describes the development of these webinars from initial concept to full realization.