Lachlan Whittle

Developing and testing systems thinking-based leading indicators for nuclear safety

Lachlan Whittle is a PhD candidate at the Centre researching the use of systems thinking to improve safety within the nuclear industry. His PhD supervisors are Associate Professor Gemma Read and Professor Paul Salmon. This research is supported by a Research Training Program scholarship.

Lachlan has previously completed a:

  • Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney
  • Graduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Psychology Honours) at the University of Sydney, receiving Class I Honours.
  • Graduate Certificate in Radiation Management at the University of Adelaide.

As well as a PhD candidate, Lachlan is a Regulatory Officer with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), Australia’s federal nuclear regulator. At ARPANSA, Lachlan’s work focuses on regulation informed by the consideration of Technical, Human, and Organisational factors (THOF). Lachlan’s work and research share the goal of applying systems thinking to improve nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Lachlan’s current research interests include:

  • Applying systems thinking to the nuclear industry
  • THOF considerations in nuclear safety and radiation protection
  • The use and regulation of artificial intelligence in high risk industries

If you would like to discuss any of these interests with Lachlan, please contact him on: lachlan.whittle@research.usc.edu.au

Publications:

Menzies, R.E., Whittle, L.F. (2022). Stoicism and death acceptance: integrating Stoic philosophy in cognitive behaviour therapy for death anxiety. Discov Psychol 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00023-9