Involvement of young professionals and early career scientists in radioactive waste disposal is a key challenge to ensure a smooth transition from senior researchers to the next generation of experts. Multiple approaches can be and are used to support, integrate and connect next generation scientists. These are conducted and/or hosted by international or national organizations, universities, initiatives, or other associations. This session invites early career as well as senior scientists to share their experiences on building networks, mentoring programmes, or other approaches to improve collaboration across multiple generations and levels of knowledge. What are the challenges and their possible solutions from the perspective of young and experienced scientists? How can we ensure knowledge transfer regarding scientific as well as sociotechnical aspects and help the young generation avoid known mistakes without corseting their aim to “improve” the wheel? Can we improve the efforts to keep young researchers in the field of radioactive waste disposal? We aim at getting to know multiple national or international approaches and networks and consequently discuss about interconnections, synergies and possible future cooperations. Furthermore, we would like to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange during and beyond the research symposium

When thinking about radioactive waste, we usually have in mind the radioactive residues from the operation of nuclear power plants at the back end of the nuclear fuel chain. We tend to forget the front end of the fuel chain, i.e., the tailings from uranium mining and milling, and the stocks of depleted uranium. Namely, for each metric ton of spent fuel, we are left to manage (a) 7-8 tons of depleted uranium, (b) roughly 2 tons of uranium dispersed in 600 to 800 tons of tailings, including the decay products of natural uranium. [1], [2] Since both isotopes, U-238 and U-235, are extremely long-lived, their stocks need to be managed essentially indefinitely. Uranium is itself a highly chemo-toxic metal. Besides, U-238 and U-235 produce a series of alpha, beta, and gamma emitters, with different solubilities in groundwater and partly as gas. According to the World Health Organization, “of particular significance for human radiation exposure from drinking-water are the naturally occurring radionuclides that originate from the elements of the thorium and uranium decay series, for example Ra-226, Ra-228, Po-210, Pb-210 and Rn.” While spent fuel and vitrified high-level waste retain most of the attention, and resources, the contamination potential from mill tailings and depleted uranium is much larger, considering that their management approach is short-termed – in comparison to the waste management time frame at the back end of the nuclear fuel chain. Besides, being at or close to the surface, these elements are more susceptible to mobilization than radioactive waste in a deep geological repository. Furthermore, the man-made radioactivity in spent fuel will decrease by several orders of magnitude within relatively short time, i.e. 1000 years. [3] By taking care of spent fuel and vitrified high-level waste, we are taking care of only 10% of the chemical and radioactive contamination from the nuclear fuel chain. Consequently, this workshop intends to put a focus on the safe management of the remaining 90%, i.e., the front-end waste [2]. Comparison will be made with the contamination potential of spent fuel and vitrified high-level waste. The workshop shall identify and discuss the issues that arise, the regulatory and management solutions that are called for, as well as the relevant ethical and financial demands in sustainable development context. It will be completed with a site visit to the former Wismut uranium mining site at Bad Schlema in Saxony (Germany). References [1] Bouttes, J-P, Nuclear Waste: A Comprehensive Approach-1, Fondation pour l’Innovation Politique, (2022). https://www.fondapol.org/en/study/nuclear-waste-a-comprehensive-approach-1/ [2] Pescatore, C., Humanity’s Uranium-238 Inventory: A Significant and Enduring Gamma-Radiation Liability, Nukleonika, Vol. 2 (2025), in press. [3] Hedin, A., How dangerous is spent fuel? Swedish Spent Fuel Management Company, Technical Report SKB-TR-97-13 (1997). https://www.skb.com/publication/13607

Digitalization has established itself as an important tool in research and development. It is no longer just about databases and program development—a new scientific discipline has developed for the data analysis of scientific and technical projects: data science. The particular challenge for digitization in applied geosciences lies in combining concepts for technical and natural systems with, on the one hand, well-defined system conditions and, on the other hand, many uncertainties, e.g., for the characterization of geological systems. As part of the BMFTR project “Digital Geosystems,” several joint projects are dealing with various aspects of digitization, developing prototypes for digital twins for various geosystems such as mines, geothermal plants, underground research laboratories, etc. This results in numerous synergies, e.g., in data and model integration, process simulation (including benchmarking), data analysis, and uncertainty analysis, including AI and virtual reality methods. The aim of the workshop is to discuss the added value of digitalization for nuclear safety research, in particular for deep geological disposal, and to elaborate the potential of digitalization for accelerating approval processes.
After a brief introduction to the topic of “digital geosystems,” individual methodological aspects of digitization, such as data and model integration, process simulation and benchmarking (laboratory and in-situ experiments), the role of AI, visualization and virtual reality, and the quantification of uncertainties, will be discussed in more depth. As a result of the workshop, the potential of digitalisation for a possible acceleration of approval processes in nuclear waste disposal will be discussed.
Structure of the workshop:
• Welcome and objectives of the workshop (J. Ahlswede)
• Overview of the white paper “Digital Twins of Geosystems” (O. Kolditz)
• Selection of topics (with 5-minute keynote speeches):
 Process simulation and benchmarking (T. Cajuhi, BGR)
 Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Waste Management: Potentials and Limitations (F. Magri, BASE)
 Visualization and virtual realities (K. Rink, O. Kolditz, UFZ/TU Dresden)
 Software engineering and workflows (Ch. Lehmann, UFZ)
• Panel discussion: Acceleration potential of digitalization for nuclear waste disposal
 Georg Teutsch (Universität Tübingen)
 Ingo Kock (BASE)
 Wolfram Rühaak (BGE)
 Tim Vietor (Nagra)

Radioactive waste disposal and related radiation protection is a sociotechnical challenge that demands resilience, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration. A key aspect of ensuring the long-term safety and timely implementation of nuclear waste disposal strategies is empowering the next generation of researchers. Contributions from young researchers working in various aspects of radioactive waste management will be highlighted in this workshop to emphasize the importance of fostering resilience and knowledge continuity in an area where safety and timely decision-making play an important role. This workshop provides a platform for early career researchers to present their scientific work—from innovative geological explorations, developments in radiation measurements and protection, experimental and modeling works as well as engineering solutions — while also fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. By doing so, we seek to connect early career professionals and research field starters with each other and experienced scientists, create networking opportunities, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge. Contributions from recent strategies in knowledge management and competence retention round up the workshop to allow a comprehensive view that will help to ensure the long-term success and safety of nuclear waste disposal programs as well as appropriate knowledge transfer. Our workshop format includes a joint discussion fostered by (1) an impulse panel discussion of invited speakers involved in different fields and (2) short presentations from early career professionals and research field starters.

Major socially relevant processes such as the site selection process for a repository for high-level radioactive waste in Germany require time in order to develop high-quality, safe and sustainable solutions and to achieve results that are recognised as legitimate and accepted by society as a whole as well as by those potentially directly affected.
In recent decades, the insight that a society must take sufficient time to solve its ,wicked problems’ has become increasingly tolerated in science and politics. In many environmentally relevant areas, however, time is at present becoming a scarce resource. The effects of climate change are making themselves more and more noticeable. The transformation of the energy system is urgently needed to ensure climate protection and security of supply. The security policy situation requires nations worldwide to be rapidly prepared for new threats. A large number of infrastructures in Germany need to be renewed to ensure their continued functionality.
Similarly, time is increasingly proving to be a key safety factor in the selection of a site for a repository for high-level radioactive waste. In the workshop, we would like to shed light on how the factor time is discussed in different environmentally relevant areas, what arguments speak for or against acceleration and what trade-offs are made in discussions about time. How should an acceleration be set up that avoids falling back into outdated, e.g. ,expertocratic’, attitudes and profits from new opportunities, such as scientific and technological progress or new value systems of younger generations?
The workshop will start with two keynote speeches, integrating legal, political and technological aspects. The speakers are
• Dr. Christian Schaffner, Executive Director of the Energy Science Center (ESC), ETH Zurich and
• Kalina Peneva-Gädeke, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit Berlin/Referat G I 3.
Subsequently, the workshop participants will discuss the extent to which the considerations presented can and should be transferred to the site selection process. Throughout the workshop, solution-orientated approaches from transdisciplinary research will be applied.
Note: As legal discussions are still predominantly held in the respective national language, this workshop will be held in German.

The workshop deals with the questions how to identify, analyse and thus minimize uncertainties at an early stage of geological 3D-model creation.
During the site selection procedure for a deep geological repository for the disposal of high-radioactive waste (HLW) the 3D models are playing an increasingly important role. Only with the support of 3D-models it is possible to obtain a holistic picture of the geological subsurface. Experiences gained from dealing with uncertainties in other countries will be shown.

I. Introduction (5 min.)
II. Presentations (each 15+5 min., 20 min. total):
1) Ingelise Møller, Anne-Sophie Høyer, Rasmus Bødker Madsen and Peter Sandersen: “Uncertainties in geological modelling – the GEUS perspective“, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Aarhus, Denmark
The presentation focused on the experience over 20 years in Denmark with the description and quantification of uncertainties in geological models. It is linked to published work on uncertainties of geological models developed mainly for hydrogeological purposes. The models are primarily based on lithological information from boreholes and dense near-surface geophysical data. The importance of understanding the uncertainties embedded in the entire modelling workflow from the conceptual understanding, the data uncertainties, the modelling approach to the geological modelling itself will be presented.

2) Arto Laikari and Pirjo Hellä : “Management of the monitoring data acquisition uncertainties within deep geological repositories”, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland Ltd.
The presentation shows that digital twins and 3D models can be used to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring the repository's long-term safety and enhance stakeholder trust about the repository's status and safety measures. The Monitoring Equipment and Data Treatment for Safe Repository Operation and Staged Closure (MODATS) work package of the European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD) focused on the monitoring during the operational phase of repository programmes. Its aim is to gain understanding on the processes affecting the barrier and host rock performance and evolution, and to build further confidence in the long-term safety case. The project was based on the six deep geological disposal test cases from Europe. A workflow for data handling from acquisition to decision support was proposed. Some of these experiments have been running for decades and within this time frame data science has evolved widely providing many new methods and tools.

3) Valentina Zampetti, Michele Claps and Alex Papafotiou:: „Performance assessment for site selection in Switzerland: Treatment of uncertainty in the model abstraction chain“, NAGRA, Schwitzerland
Nagra has implemented a modelling workflow for the assessment of performance of site-specific repository projects in support of the site selection and the general license application for a deep geological repository in Switzerland. The workflow integrates modelling tools for total system and component analyses embedded in a comprehensive uncertainty management framework. The assessment is performed in deterministic as well as probabilistic fashion integrated with an indicator-based approach that allows the consistent, traceable, and verifiable comparison of the candidate sites.

III. Roundtable - Discussion (15 min)

Insofar as we are witnessing a global nuclear renaissance, the new age is not only felt as an economic and political shift but it is also experienced visually. The visual record of nuclear material cultures might include anything from anti-nuclear leaflets to post-nuclear landscapes. Making sense of this visual record as a historical process calls for multidisciplinary research that liberally combines visual anthropology, semiotic analysis, art practice, and beyond.

This workshop brings together artists and researchers to reflect on the visuals and visibility of the nuclear renaissance(s). We present contributions that explore how visual culture reflects shifting attitudes, fears, and hopes around nuclear technologies, as well as reflections on visual analytical methodologies and artistic approaches to nuclear culture.

The workshop will include an exhibition of visual materials, short presentations, collective discussions, and hands-on activities that invite participants to engage directly with the exhibited materials.

We warmly invite audiences to drop into the exhibition space during our sessions and to stay as long as they wish.