A Sociotechnical Readiness Level Framework for the Development of Advanced Nuclear Technologies

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale was initially developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the 1970s and is now widely used in space, nuclear, and other complex technology sectors in the United States and beyond. The TRL scale is particularly useful for determining where the extrapolation of untested subsystems or features could produce technical risk, cause expensive redesigns, or act as a roadblock to technology development. In this paper, we propose the development of a sociotechnical readiness level or SRL, premised on the understanding that the successful development and eventual use of a technology requires achieving not only full technological readiness but also anticipating, prioritizing, and addressing societal concerns that may arise during the course of development of a technology. Failures to anticipate and address societal factors in the early stages of technology development have led to high-profile delays, and in some cases, ultimate failures of nuclear technology projects. The sociotechnical readiness scale, which conceptually draws on the design research and science and technology studies scholarship, centers on the principles of equity and environmental justice in technology design and emphasizes the need for social engagement during the process of technology development. Nowhere is such an approach to technology development more vital or needed than for the long-term management of spent nuclear fuel.