High Scientific Council is a consultative body of the European Nuclear Society (ENS). One of the basic tasks of the Council includes a debate on the situation and the strategic priorities for the safe use of nuclear energy. The High Scientific Council advises the ENS association leadership, with written observations published on a regular basis, several times per year. Views on important topics are occasionally provided also to the European Commission.

At the meeting a thorough discussion on the present and future role of science in nuclear power was held. It was noticed that the science in this area was recently somewhat neglected and that it may make an important contribution in the future both to improve the safety of nuclear power plants as well as in the public debate on the acceptability of nuclear energy. It was agreed that a special statement will be prepared for the 40th anniversary of the ENS, which will be in spring 2016, on the need for a greater contribution to science. The statement will largely rely on the article of L. Cizelj,”Research and Higher Education: A Disposable Part of Fundamental National Infrastructure, Contemporary Energy (2015)”.

The meeting at the headquarters of the European Nuclear Society (ENS) in Brussels was attended by Prof. Leon Cizelj, head of the Reactor Engineering Division.