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Degree: Public Policy ’27
Project Team: Reexamining Nuclear Power in the Carolinas and Beyond (2024-2025)
My Bass Connections project has been an extremely engaging experience. As a student with a strong interest in sustainable energy solutions, this project has given me an opportunity to look into the historical, technological and societal aspects of nuclear power. I am a Public Policy major at Duke, and our team’s research has provided me insights into the regulatory side of nuclear power that is applicable to my studies.
Going into my freshman year at Duke in 2023, I was unsure of what I wanted to study. I enrolled in Tom Cinq-Mars’ Energy & Society seminar, because I found the topic intriguing, and the class fit into my schedule well. His enthusiasm and passion for the energy field sparked my own personal interest in energy and it has given me direction in my studies. He encouraged me to apply to join his Bass Connections team, and I am extremely grateful that I did. This program has strengthened my interests in the energy sector and has given me a sense of direction for the type of career I want to pursue.
Unlike some traditional classroom settings, this project has been strongly centered on collaborative research and practical engagement. Each undergraduate on the research team has contributed to research through problem-solving and communication as we pursue grants from the Library of Congress and the Hagley Museum and Library. Such interdependence on each other has fostered an environment that is extremely reliant on communication.
Our team is composed of both graduate and undergraduate students from various fields such as public policy, earth and climate sciences, and computer science, which has further fostered a rich collaborative environment. Working in subteams to research the development of major nuclear facilities in the Carolinas allowed us to tackle complex questions related to site selection, construction costs, local responses, environmental impacts and regulatory oversight. We have looked at how these questions specifically apply to the Carolinas, which I have found extremely interesting as a North Carolina native.
As a member of the “Completed Power Reactors” subteam, my role has involved conducting archival research to analyze historical documents preserved by Triangle institutions and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System. These materials illuminated key aspects of nuclear power, including technological development, business strategies, regulatory frameworks, education and training programs, and activism.
Engaging with these primary sources deepened my understanding of the historical context of nuclear energy and sharpened my analytical skills. Collaborating with faculty members and Duke University librarians provided valuable direction, enhancing my research capabilities and appreciation for interdisciplinary studies.
Our group even had the opportunity to tour the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant just southwest of Raleigh, North Carolina. This firsthand exposure provided a practical opportunity to view nuclear reactor operations and safety protocols. Engaging with industry professionals offered unique insights that strengthened our research and provided some direction for topics we wanted to highlight in our research.
My Bass Connections experience has been pivotal in shaping my academic trajectory. It has reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in energy-related policy. The skills I’ve refined, ranging from archival research to collaborative teamwork, are applicable to roles in both the policy and energy fields. Additionally, the opportunity to refine my scholarly writing skills through instruction and peer review has emphasized the importance of analyzing and developing resources in order to make them accessible to broader audiences. I plan to return to the team for the 2025-2026 academic year to continue research as we will carry on with analyzing the past, present and future role of nuclear energy in the Carolinas.
June 2025