CATAPULT Project Research on Public Engagement Presented at SRA Europe 2026

Research from the CATAPULT project on public participation in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) was presented at the 34th Annual Conference of the Society for Risk Analysis Europe (SRA-E), held in Alicante, Spain, from 26–29 May 2026.

As part of Work Package 5 (WP5), project partners shared results from two complementary studies addressing public engagement in environmental decision-making processes.

The first study, “Achieving Meaningful Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments for Small Modular Reactors: Insights from Interviews with Experts and Non-Expert Public Members in Belgium and Portugal,” explored perspectives from experts and members of the public on how meaningful participation can be achieved in EIA processes for SMR projects. The findings highlight key factors that can support inclusive and effective stakeholder engagement.

The second study, “Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment: Lessons from a Systematic Literature Review,” provided a comprehensive overview of existing research on public participation in EIA processes. The review identified good practices, common barriers, and lessons learned that can help strengthen public involvement in environmental decision-making.

The studies were conducted by Jonathan Reese, Samuel Domingos, Ana Rita Farias, Rui Gaspar (HEI-Lab, Lusófona University), Meritxell Martell (Merience), and Tanja Perko (SCK CEN). Together, the findings contribute to CATAPULT’s objective of supporting transparent, participatory, and socially responsive approaches to the development and deployment of innovative nuclear technologies, including SMRs.

The presentation of these results at SRA Europe 2026 provided an important opportunity to engage with the international risk analysis community and discuss approaches for strengthening public trust and participation in environmental governance.