International Day of Women and Girls in Science (#IDWGS) is celebrated annually on 11 February to honour the women contributing important work and innovative ideas to science.
From research and technical work to communication and law, women have an essential role to play in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community. Yet only 26% of the nuclear workforce is made up by women.
The Nuclear Energy Agency is committed to helping to attract more women into STEM roles, which is necessary to ensure there is enough breadth and diversity in the workforce to help manage issues such as climate change and energy security.
To acknowledge this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we spoke to some of the inspiring women at the NEA about how they got into the sector, the most rewarding part of their work, and their advice for women and girls interested in a career in STEM.
Veronique Rouyer - Head of Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation
How did you come to work in the nuclear sector?
The trigger point of my motivation to join the nuclear sector was clearly when I visited a nuclear power plant for the first time with my family; I was 14 years old and I was dazzled. I have always first been interested in mathematics and physics. In the end, I turned to studies in chemical engineering and then in nuclear engineering. I spent almost all my internships during my studies in different organisations that worked for the nuclear sector.
What do you like most about working in the STEM field?
I like to learn, I like to perform technical analysis, and I like to think about the evolution of techniques and how they can impact practical life. I like to understand the fundamental technical fields that magically initiate new ideas to be implemented in real life.
What could the nuclear sector gain by having more women pursue careers in STEM?
The nuclear sector will gain from everyone who wants to learn, progress, succeed and be proud of their success. I think that women are now, more than perhaps in the past, very eager to progress, to succeed. It is very simple: we need very motivated and engaged people in the nuclear sector, and women are able to be the most engaged if they are firm believers.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
To manage younger colleagues, to help them progress, and forming an international group to build new projects.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
You have to be brave. You don’t have to be perfect, but yourself. With the motivation you can do everything. You should no longer have to demonstrate what a woman can or cannot do. I know what I can do, what my qualities and my faults are. You do not have to accentuate a trait to make yourself different.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a career in the nuclear sector?
Make the effort to be informed of all the opportunities that you can have in the nuclear sector. Having many applications can give you a strong motivation to invest in the different technical areas covered by the sector. On a personal side, be attentive to the little things, such as a question or a remark, that are at the heart of stereotypes. These little signals, if we are not vigilant, can inform bigger prejudices. I encourage people to react if you encounter these kinds of remarks (politely of course!). It could help build healthy work relations in the long term.
Kimberly Sexton Nick – Head of Division of Nuclear Law
How did you come to work in the nuclear sector? I focused on national security matters during my university studies and in law school I focused on administrative law as I knew that I wanted to work in the US federal government. While attending a recruitment event for legal jobs during my third year of law school, I was privileged to meet Stephen G. Burns, then Deputy General Counsel of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He convinced me that not only was the US NRC an ideal place to combine my two fields of study but that it was also a great place to work and build a career. He wasn’t wrong!
What do you like most about working in the STEM field? I have enormous respect for my STEM colleagues and feel honoured to work beside them. As a lawyer who works with and supports the technical staff, I learn something new every day. One of my favourite parts of this job is sitting down with our nuclear engineers and learning all about the inner workings of a nuclear power reactor, or how uranium enrichment works, or the details of Generation IV reactors and innovative designs. It helps use a completely different part of my brain than in my every day legal work.
What could the nuclear sector gain by having more women pursue careers in STEM? I firmly believe that the nuclear sector needs a diversity of opinions to be successful. That means a diversity of genders, ages, backgrounds and nationalities, among others. As we have learned so many times over the years, we need new ways of thinking, working, and of approaching topics if we’re going to not only continue to innovate in the nuclear field but also ensure continued safe operation. That means that we must continue to work to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM and then join the nuclear sector.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Without a doubt the most rewarding part of my job is teaching, whether it is in one of the NEA’s three nuclear law education programmes or that of other organisations, universities and law schools. Nuclear law is such an exciting topic and I love trying to spark that interest and passion in others.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your career? One of the biggest lessons was also one of my earliest lessons – and one that I try to impart on young people considering a career in the nuclear sector and particularly nuclear lawyers. The lesson is to always be curious. There is so much to learn about in this field and we are all better in our jobs, whether we are lawyers, engineers, scientists, policymakers, etc., if we are constantly asking questions, seeking more information, looking to grow and expand our base of knowledge. Too often we can get siloed in the work that we do but by having an awareness of all the other dimensions, we can all be better and do better.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a career in the nuclear sector? Don’t hesitate for a second. This is an exciting field and you’ll never be bored.
Shahnaz Hoque – Junior Nuclear Energy Policy Analyst
How did you come to work in the nuclear sector?
In school, I learned about climate breakdown and the potential of nuclear energy as a powerful tool to help us fight it. I knew then I wanted to work in the nuclear sector, to apply myself to help the world!
What do you like most about working in the STEM field?
It’s exciting to be working with other people with technical backgrounds, who want to use their skills to maximise the benefits of all kinds of technologies.
What could the nuclear sector gain by having more women pursue careers in STEM?
A fresh perspective. We need people with different skills, backgrounds and communication styles in order to truly innovate in this sector.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing my team’s collective ideas and work provide real value to decision makers around the world.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
The ability to communicate is the most important and useful skill you can develop, and it’s something you can build on throughout your career.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a career in the nuclear sector?
Don’t hesitate, take up space if you’re interested in this sector, and try to find female mentors – it makes a huge difference!
Morgan Packer - Junior Specialist in Radioactive Waste & Decommissioning Management and NEA WiN Chapter President
How did you come to work in the nuclear sector?
By complete accident! As a social scientist by training, I was unaware of the multitude of opportunities available in the nuclear sector. I had been approached by a senior radiological protection expert back in 2016 who suggested that I use my research skills to contribute to the nuclear sector. Science has made nuclear power, radioactive waste management and decommissioning safe, but in order to ensure that key stakeholders remain engaged and public policy is aligned, social sciences and STEM must cohesively exist. The cohesion of these fields remains critical to the nuclear sector.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Meeting intelligent and wonderful people from all four corners of the globe. Every day is a challenge where you learn something new, and I do not think there has been one single boring day of work since starting at the NEA.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
Seek out mentors and people willing to help you grow. They will not always come to you, but they will also likely never say no to helping you if you ask for it. Additionally, you are your own biggest advocate, and don’t be afraid of rejection in the workforce. Try harder, build more skills, and opportunities will come to you.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a career in the nuclear sector?
Go for it! Especially if you are a young professional. You have so much potential to contribute to a sector with an ageing workforce in great need of fresh minds.
Keiko Chitose – Nuclear Safety Specialist 
How did you come to work in the nuclear sector?
It stemmed from my belief that nuclear technology is one of the best technologies that can provide a continuous and stable supply of energy, which is the foundation of our lives.
What do you like most about working in the STEM field?
The STEM fields have provided many benefits to humanity so far. In my daily work, I am reminded of the great achievements of scientists of the past. It gives me great pleasure to know that we have the potential to witness the starting point of technologies that will revolutionise and improve our future.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to work together with nuclear safety research experts from different countries and achieve results.
What advice would you give to women and girls interested in a career in the nuclear sector?
I would ensure that they know that the nuclear field is very broad and has many great people in it who you will have the chance to meet and learn from. Through the WiN Global network, I have been able to get to know wonderful women from many different countries, which has enriched my life immensely. I would say please join us and share our wonderful experiences!
The NEA will be holding a webinar to launch the forthcoming report 'Improving Gender Balance in the Nuclear Sector' on March 8, 2023. To register, visit here.
