Enhancing Operational Decision-Making in the Nuclear Industry
In high-risk environments like the nuclear industry, not every situation follows a script. So, what happens when the unexpected occurs?
Exploring cutting-edge PhD research commissioned by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, focused on Operational Decision Making (ODM) which is a critical non-technical skill in the nuclear industry. This session will dive into how decisions are made when the unexpected happens, offering a valuable perspective on how professionals navigate uncertainty when the stakes are high.
The research explains how safety-critical decisions are identified, structured, and supported when unexpected situations arise, that fall outside established procedures. It explores how ODM is conceptualised, applied, and supported across high-risk industries more broadly, before focusing on the UK nuclear context to generate tailored, evidence-based insights.
The study aims to provide practical guidance for industry and regulators by identifying good practices and tools that support effective decision-making. The presentation will outline the research context and rationale, key aims, overall programme, and methodological approaches, while highlighting planned outputs and dissemination to both industry and regulatory stakeholders.
Apoorva (Ria) Amirapu is a researcher and a published author at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Psychology, undertaking an integrated doctoral programme in collaboration with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
Her research focuses on operational decision-making in the UK nuclear industry, examining how safety-critical decisions are identified, structured, and supported when situations fall outside established procedures. Her work aims to generate evidence-based insights to inform regulatory and industry guidance and improve decision-making practices in high-risk environments.
Ria holds a BSc in Psychology (First Class Honours) and an MRes in Psychological Research Skills (Distinction) from the University of Aberdeen. Her undergraduate thesis was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders and has been included in the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Research Database. Prior to her PhD, she worked as an Assistant Psychologist within the NHS, where she conducted audits on staff decision-making and service efficiency. Her broader research interests include human factors, safety culture, and performance in safety-critical industries.
