Conference Report Now Available: “Empowering Women in Nuclear – We All Can Do It!”
The inaugural Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) conference, held on November 5-6, 2024, at Ovidius University in Constanța, Romania, marked a significant milestone in promoting equal opportunities within the nuclear industry. The event brought together over 100 participants from various sectors, including academia, research institutions, industry, and civil society, to foster discussions on the importance of increasing women’s representation and leadership in the rapidly evolving nuclear sector. Organized in collaboration with Ovidius University and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, the conference received support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and several corporate sponsors, reinforcing the collective commitment to advance women’s roles in nuclear energy.
The conference featured a diverse agenda aimed at promoting interdisciplinary dialogue on nuclear safety and security, advanced technologies, and the development of human capital. Notable speakers included :
- Ms. Nataliia Sorokova from the National Technical University of Ukraine,
- Ms. Tamar Kaladze from the Andronikashvili Institute of Physics in Georgia,
- Dr. Senem Senturk Lule from Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye, and
- Dr. Iuliana Mihaela Stanescu from Ovidius University, Romania.
Their insights emphasized the critical role of women in shaping the future of the nuclear industry, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to overcome barriers and enhance opportunities for female professionals.
Discussions throughout the conference centered on vital topics such as preparing the future workforce for the nuclear sector, the importance of mentorship, and strategies to address the challenges faced by women in the field. Participants explored the necessity of partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the nuclear industry. The impact of women’s leadership in driving innovation and enhancing inclusivity within the sector was also a key focus, with several panelists sharing their personal experiences and success stories.
The conference also showcased the achievements of the winners of the student essay competition: Mr. Bohdan Kostiuk from the University of Toronto, who presented on the intersection of nuclear policy and gender issues in Ukraine, and Mr. Mehmet Hasim Cevik from Middle East Technical University, whose essay examined the progress of women in the Turkish nuclear sector. Their contributions highlighted the importance of incorporating different perspectives in addressing contemporary challenges within the nuclear industry.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Nataliia Klos and Dr. Cosmin Filip, who celebrated the success of the event and the collaborative efforts that made it possible. The conference not only set a benchmark for future initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s roles in the nuclear sector but also reinforced the belief that collective action can drive positive change. As emphasized throughout the event, “We all can do it!”