Join us

Join our First Regional Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) Conference, “Empowering Women in Nuclear—We All Can Do It!”

The conference will be held on November 5-6, 2024, at Ovidius University in Constanța, Romania.

This BSWN conference is the inaugural regional event that brings together a diverse range of members from the nuclear community. We expect more than 100 participants from over 15 countries, including students, public members, and representatives from regulators, nuclear operators, and universities.

The conference aims to promote global nuclear security principles, facilitate mentoring in the nuclear industry, conduct regional research in nuclear security, and ensure the peaceful development of the nuclear sector.

Are you a student? Apply for our Student Essay Competition!

Participate in the BSWN student essay competition for a chance to be a winner and speaker at the conference! Your essays will contribute to the outcomes of the conference and influence BSWN’s future strategy. Join us in Constanța, Romania, on November 5-6, 2024, and make your voice heard!

Conference Overview

Among other topics, participants will discuss practical measures to encourage women and girls in education and career development within the nuclear industry, explore new advanced nuclear technologies, highlight innovations in nuclear education, and other challenges and opportunities in the field.

The conference is organized in collaboration with Ovidius University and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

 

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The conference is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Nuclear Security Women Initiative, administered by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Our conference sponsors include Candu Energy Inc., a member of AtkinsRéalis, the Societatea Națională Nuclearelectrica S.A., Laurentis Energy Partners, and Kinectrics Nuclear Romania SRL.

To register for online participation, please follow this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-GurD0oEtwhVJd4dlOlB3CVznmvB3K3

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Student Essay Competition

Are you a student? Are you passionate about and interested in nuclear safeguards, security, and safety? Or nuclear sciences and technology? We have the perfect opportunity for you!

Take part in the BSWN student essay competition for a chance to be a winner and speaker at our First Annual Regional Conference!

Through this essay contest, today’s youth voices will be incorporated into the outcomes of the BSWN annual regional conference and BSWN’s future strategy.

Young people have a role to play in the future of nuclear fields – science, technology, security, and industry. Listening to the next generation and learning more about your innovative ideas and opinions is important and is one of the main reasons why the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network is excited to present your ideas and thoughts at the annual regional conference.

We invite students from Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, and Türkiye to take part in this competition and share how the nuclear field can be transformed into a place of equal opportunities for all.

 

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Those with a background and/or an interest in the topics of the competition are encouraged to submit an essay answering one of the questions pertaining to the topics in discussion at the regional conference, including, but not limited to:

 

  1. What are the challenges for women in nuclear in the Black Sea Region, and how to overcome them?
  2. How to increase the participation of the young generation in nuclear science and engineering?
  3. How to ensure equal access to nuclear education – innovative insights to improve equal education opportunities?
  4. How do new threats affect women’s empowerment?
  5. Development of advanced nuclear technologies

This competition is open to students between the ages of 18 and 25. Submissions must be in English, and the deadline to submit an essay is the 10th of October, 2024. 

The essay competition’s three winners will be announced on 15th October 2024, and finalists will be provided with financial support to travel to and participate in the conference in Romania.

 

Competition Criteria

Eligibility

  • The competition is open only to nationals of Black Sea Region countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
  • Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger.

 

Essay Guidelines

  • Maximum word count: 1,000 words.
  • All essays must be original work by the applicant, expressed in their own words. Quotations from published and unpublished sources must be clearly indicated and acknowledged. Citations should follow internationally recognized styles (e.g., Chicago, MLA, ACS, IEEE, NLM, Vancouver, AAA, APA, APSA). Applicants may be asked to clarify sources.
  • Any content identified as plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification. Essays generated by AI will also be disqualified.

 

Submission Details

  • Deadline: Friday, 10 October 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Vienna Time (CET)
  • Length: Up to 1,000 words
  • Limit: One entry per person
  • Language: English
  • Format: Word document, submitted via email to bswnconferences@gmail.com.

 

Submission Requirements

  • The email subject line should read: “Students Essay Competition 2024_” followed by the applicant’s family name (e.g., Students Essay Competition 2024_Surname).
  • The essay must be attached as an MS Word document.
  • The body of the email should include the following information:
    • Applicant’s first and last name (as shown in the passport)
    • Title (Mr./Ms.)
    • School/organization/affiliation
    • Program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)