Broadening and strengthening stakeholder engagement in emergency preparedness, response and recovery

This article discusses stakeholder engagement in the field of nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness, response, and recovery (EPR and R). It argues that stakeholder engagement in this field could be broadened - in terms of stakeholders and forms of engagement, and strengthened - in terms of sustainability and impact. Four different dimensions are identified and presented along which this process of broadening and strengthening can occur: (1) the underlying rationales of engagement, (2) top-down and bottom-up engagement, (3) formal and informal engagement, and (4) radiological protection culture. Based on the analysis of these dimensions, a reflection on power and non-participation is provided, and recommendations on stakeholder engagement are formulated. (authors)