Perceptions and Prospects for Lead-Cooled Nuclear Technologies: insights from R&D and Public stakeholders in Belgium

While water-cooled reactors continue to dominate the global nuclear fleet, alternative coolants have been explored since the early days of nuclear energy. Over the past 25 years, Belgium has made significant investments in research on lead-cooled nuclear technologies. This work initially centred on developing an accelerator-driven system (the MYRRHA project) and, more recently, has extended to designing a lead-cooled Small Modular Reactor (SMR). This contribution examines how R&D professionals and the broader public perceive this emerging nuclear innovation, paying specific attention to potential benefits, drawbacks and challenges. Drawing on workshops and a Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) study, we explore the everyday experiences and work of researchers at the Belgian nuclear research centre SCK CEN. A key finding is the limited sense of agency researchers report in shaping research directions, pointing to perceived structural constraints such as secrecy, organizational
hierarchies, and resource limitations. In parallel, a World Café captured citizens’ views on the development and possible deployment of lead-cooled reactors. These dialogues reveal diverse societal perspectives on nuclear innovation, including hopes, doubts, and concerns. By combining these insights, the study highlights how differing perceptions persist between stakeholder groups and identifies opportunities for better aligning technological development with societal values. This work underscores the importance of fostering stronger sociotechnical integration to support responsible research and innovation in the nuclear field and beyond.