An on-line synchronous e-Dialogue series on nuclear waste management in Canada

Online dialogues can meaningfully engage a diverse audience and provide a method to both educate and interest the public in complex environmental and social issues. This article discusses a series of e-dialogues conducted for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Canada in which the public engaged in discussions concerning the risk and uncertainty around the management of nuclear waste, disposal options, and decision-making under uncertain conditions. Although these dialogues were very successful and raised new issues of public concern, we encountered some difficulties as well. We discuss these difficulties and potential remedies for others contemplating the use of online dialogues.