Paul Dickman is a Senior Policy Fellow with Argonne National Laboratory focusing on nuclear energy, nonproliferation, and national security policy. For over thirty-five years Mr. Dickman has been involved in the forefront nuclear energy and national security programs in the U.S. and internationally. He has held senior managerial positions at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. He holds leadership positions in the American Nuclear Society and the World Council on Isotopes, advises organizations on risk communication, and serves as an advisor to the Japanese Government on the decommissioning of the Fukushima accident site.

Professional History

As a Senior Policy Fellow, Mr. Dickman has a broad portfolio for engagement on international civil nuclear energy, waste management, nonproliferation, and national security policy. He writes and frequently speaks on nuclear waste and fuel cycle issues, the promotion of U.S. civil nuclear technology and safety, and international nonproliferation goals and regimes. He served as the Study Director for American Nuclear Society’s (ANS) special report on the nuclear accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor complex and currently advises the Japanese government on the decommissioning of the Fukushima site.  He is a member of the National Academy of Science’s study committee on Science and Technology for the Department of Energy’s Defense Environmental Cleanup Program.

Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Dickman served as Chief of Staff to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Dale E. Klein, managing the Chairman’s staff, including day-to-day operations of the Chairman’s office and coordinated policy among Commissioner offices, the White House, and the interagency. During this dynamic period of positive management, the NRC achieved unprecedented acclaim from industry and Congress for modernizing the agency and from the international safety community for their leadership in advancing global nuclear safety. Prior to joining the NRC, Mr. Dickman served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Policy for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). As a member of the Undersecretary’s staff, he had responsibility for nuclear energy and nonproliferation policy, international cooperation initiatives, and for development of the Congressional budget and hearing testimony. In addition, he served as the NNSA representative to various stakeholder and NGO working groups on nuclear materials recycle and disposition policy.

During his 40-year career, Mr. Dickman has focused on the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management. Early in his career he managed environmental research projects in remediation of nuclear weapons testing areas, and disposal of highly radioactive materials and components using remote controlled systems. He also managed the nuclear waste characterization and transportation programs for the Waste Isolation Pilot Project and served as principal technical advisor to the Director for the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste.

Education

Mr. Dickman received his M.S. in Natural Sciences in Nuclear Chemistry and Physics from the University of Wyoming and his B.A. in History (of Science) from the University of Denver.