Marking International Women’s Day, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gathered hundreds of women in Vienna, Austria from March 7 to 8, 2024.
These women were from IAEA’s prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Program and Lise Meitner Program. The event was aimed at fostering collaboration, enhance networking, and empower female professionals in the nuclear sector.
More than 400 women scientists attending the event voiced their shared vision for a more inclusive future in nuclear science and technology at the gathering hosted by IAEA. The participants produced a joint statement calling for a more inclusive and diverse workplace in the nuclear field.
Women in nuclear workforce
- Currently, women only account for about 20% of the nuclear workforce.
- Women continue to be underrepresented in the nuclear industry, constituting only a fifth of the workforce despite comprising half of the global population.
- Recognizing this disparity, the IAEA endeavors to attract and retain more women in the field, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Program (MSCFP), named after the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate Marie Curie, supports women pursuing studies in nuclear-related disciplines. Since its inception in 2020, the MSCFP has provided scholarships to over 560 recipients from 97 Member States, facilitating education and internship opportunities to nurture future leaders in the nuclear field.
“MSCFP made it possible for me to follow my dreams of becoming a radiological environmental scientist. After completion of my studies in the Republic of Korea, my aspiration is to use my skills to contribute towards examining the environmental situation in my home country,” said Zarina Salkenova, a 2022 Marie Curie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow from Kazakhstan.
In addition to financial assistance, the MSCFP equips scholars with valuable resources and internships facilitated by the IAEA, paving the way for further studies or professional careers.
Lise Meitner Program
Building upon the success of the MSCFP, the IAEA introduced the Lise Meitner Program (LMP) in 2023, targeting early- and mid-career women professionals in the nuclear sector. The LMP offers multi-week visiting professional programs at host institutions worldwide, enhancing participants’ technical and soft skills while fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
“The LMP technical visits have been a transformative experience for the cohorts as well as host organizations, providing invaluable insights and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. It’s not just a program; it’s a catalyst for professional growth and a bridge connecting diverse perspectives in the global nuclear community,” said Tatjana Jevremovic, an expert in the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section at the IAEA, who led the first two LMP cohorts.
The first visiting professional program was hosted at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, United States, in June 2023. The cohort had the opportunity to visit a nuclear power plant, research reactor, fuel factory, and research labs, among other activities.
“Attending the Lise Meitner Program was an eye-opening experience,” said Simona Miteva, an LMP Visiting Professional from Bulgaria. “Witnessing the latest advancements in the nuclear field and engaging with industry experts has reinforced my passion for this industry. The program has not only expanded my knowledge but also ignited a drive to contribute to the future of women in nuclear engineering.”
The second visit took place in October 2023 when the visiting professionals shared their time between the Oak Ridge National Lab and the Idaho National Lab, in the United States. This visit focused on strengthening the participants’ individual technical expertise, as well as nuclear reactor modelling, simulations, and virtual environment.
The third and upcoming LMP visit, scheduled from March 25 to April 5, 2024, in the Republic of Korea, will focus on nuclear power, offering participants immersive learning experiences and networking opportunities.
Through initiatives like the MSCFP and LMP, the IAEA aims to address the gender gap in the nuclear sector and empower women to pursue rewarding careers in nuclear science and technology.
“We are committed to supporting women from diverse backgrounds to fulfill their aspirations and contribute to a better world through nuclear science and technology,” stated Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy.
“Supporting the higher education of young women and their career growth in the nuclear sector is pivotal for the field. With these two programs, the IAEA supports women at the most crucial stages: their entry to the field and, afterwards, their continued professional development,” said Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy. Chudakov added that the atomic energy organization would continue to support women from all around the world to fulfil their aspirations and contribute to a better world, through nuclear science and technology.
As the IAEA continues its efforts to promote gender equality in the nuclear field, it welcomes collaboration with public and private sectors, academia, and civil society to advance women’s participation and leadership in nuclear science and technology.
The fourth LMP application cycle will be announced here, and the fifth MSCFP application cycle will be announced here.