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03 Oct

2 min read
Women in Fusion (WiF) Lunch Panel event at Fusion Energy Conference 2023
Women in Fusion Lunch at FEC 2023 Conference
From 16-21 October 2023, the IAEA is organized the 29th Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2023) in London, UK. The conference provided a platform for live discussions on key physics and technology issues as well as innovative concepts of direct relevance to the use of nuclear fusion as a future source of energy. The scope of FEC 2023 reflected the priorities and challenges in fusion energy research, technology development and preparation to industrial deployment. It gathered major research institutes and organizations from more than 40 countries such as ITER, European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and many others. 
“Women in Fusion” are excited to have joined the FEC 2023 Conference!

On October 17, “Women in Fusion” held a lunch event “Creating an Inclusive Fusion Workforce” within the Fusion Energy Conference 2023 (FEC 2023) in London, UK. It was clear that the topic of improving gender equity in fusion resonated with many of the FEC attendees as there were more than 100 participants attending the event from 13 countries with representation from all career levels in fusion. The IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, opened the event with comments emphasizing that action is needed to ensure gender balance is achieved at every level.

 

Women in Fusion (WiF), launched in July 2022, already has more than 500 members and has launched a mentoring program. It is clearly just starting to address some of the important challenges of achieving stronger representation by women in the field of fusion science and fusion energy.

 

Sehila Gonzalez, Chair of Women in Fusion and the Fusion Program Director at the Clean Air Task Force, US, opened the discussions with a reference to Professor Claudia Goldin’s work on the gender pay gap. Professor Goldin was also the first solo woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize. 

 

‘The timing for this event seems to be written in the stars, perfect timing for a fusion event!’ stated.

 

Sehila Gonzales moderated the lively discussion where topics such as unconscious bias, daycare, mentoring and sponsorship, and networking were discussed. In addition, the need for evidence-based data that measures statistics on women contributing to fusion today are needed.

There is clearly a long road ahead, but this event was a strong step in the right direction.

Moderator:

Ms. Sehila GONZALEZ DE VICENTE, Chair of Women in Fusion

 

Opening statements:

  • Opening statement: Mr. Rafael Mariano GROSSI, Director General of IAEA (recorded message)
  • Statement: Ms. Najat MOKHTAR, Deputy Director General of IAEA
  • Statement: Mr. Warrick MATTHEWS, CEO, Tokamak Energy Ltd, UK
  • Statement Ms. Amanda QUADLING, Director of Materials, UKAEA, UK

 

Panellists:

  • Ms. Aline DES CLOIZEAUX, Vice President of WiN IAEA, Director of Nuclear Power Division of IAEA
  • Mr. Yutaka KAMADA, Deputy Director-General Science & Technology, ITER Organization
  • Ms. Steffi DIEM, Assistant Professor, Engineering Department, UW-Madison, USA
  • Ms. Amanda QUADLING, Director of Materials, UKAEA, UK
  • Mr Guosheng XU, Deputy Director, ASIPP, China
  • Ms. Amani ZALZALI, Strategic Development Associate, General Atomics, San Diego, USA
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