The Institute for Nuclear Security was formed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in January 2012. The Institute is managed within the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy.
The Institute builds on a traditionally strong relationship between the university and the federal facilities in East Tennessee that have major nuclear security missions. As these collaborations grew, it became obvious that the formation of a regional entity such as the institute would be necessary to help build greater efforts that cross many academic disciplines.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Y-12 National Security Complex, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities joined with UT as charter members when the institute was formed.
The mission of the institute is to align the collective expertise and capabilities available within the membership to grow an internationally-recognized resource that plays a pivotal role in global nuclear security efforts by:
- Providing expertise to shape and support the national and international enterprises for nuclear security;
- Enhancing US and international security by providing effective support for all aspects of the nuclear security mission—from policy analysis through research, education, training, and field activities; and
- Expanding our contributions and reputation in these communities and supporting growth in the levels of funding and influence available to our membership.
The institute serves as a facilitator for collaboration among its members to tackle multiorganizational, multidisciplinary work critical to national and global needs in nuclear security. This framework leverages the strengths of all of the members to address global challenges in the broad field of nuclear security in a more effective manner than any single partner can accomplish alone.