Studying under Dr. Frank L. Parker of Vanderbilt University, Dr. McCabe in examining the role of quality assurance in high-level radioactive waste management. Dr. Parker is a world leader in the development of the basic information required for the safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Dr. McCabe's doctoral dissertation research was on the process by which science and technology policy decisions are reached in a democratic system. It is increasingly apparent that science and technology policy makers are developing more open institutional arrangements, so that their decisions are perceived as legitimate. As a consequence of this more open system of decision making, scientific and technical experts are being held to unprecedented standards of accountability in terms of research methodology. Thus, scientists are becoming important actors in a frequently contentious political process. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act,passed by Congress in 1982, is the first comprehensive national policy to address high-level radioactive waste disposal. Since Congress amended the Act in December, 1987, the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management has focused its efforts on preparing site characterization plans for a proposed geological repository at Nevada's Yucca Mountain. As a component of its site characterization plan, the DOE has initiated an aggressive quality assurance (QA) program. The program has met resistance from a segment of the scientific community, including some of DOE's scientific contractors, charging that QA regulations designed for construction of engineered facilities cannot be applied to earth science investigations. Dr. McCabe will be working with Dr. Parker over the next two years under this postdoctoral fellowship to examine systematically the conflict between DOE and the scientists carrying out field investigations,particularly the implications of this case for subsequent science and technology policy decision. She will conduct personal interviews with DOE officials and contractors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission personnel and other major actors affiliated with the QA program. She will thoroughly examine the QA literature and supporting documents to complete the database.
