Inspiring and mentoring women in nuclear
Regulating radioactive substances
Protecting people and the environment from radioactive substances
For International Women’s Day we’re highlighting how the Environment Agency is part of the Women in Nuclear UK UK-France mentoring scheme.
The scheme pairs early to mid-career women mentees with mentors who can provide impartial advice, encouragement, assist with problem solving and help develop self-confidence. The programme events bring together mentees and mentors for networking.
In 2024 we supported events and sessions in both London and Paris.
In June Mentor Saffron Price-Finnerty spoke at the London event. She talked about what more can be done to support current and future generations of female employees gaining the essential skills for a successful career in nuclear. Saffron shared her career path (26 years in nuclear) and highlighted how employees can upskill themselves and work together to change the culture. Saffron said: “I was delighted to be asked by DESNZ to sit on the panel to help inspire our generation and work with them to make nuclear a great place to be, full of life-long opportunities.”
Mentee Becca Williams, a Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Specialist, joined the scheme in 2024. Becca is an early career nuclear specialist and is being mentored by a senior scientist from the Nuclear Energy Agency in Paris. Becca is benefitting from discussions with her mentor and attended the programme’s visit to DESNZ, the French Embassy and National Physical Laboratory where she networked with other mentees and mentors. Becca said: “We discussed how we can overcome adversities we face as women in the nuclear sector and built cross border connections. We listened to the different paths women have taken in their nuclear sector careers, highlighting the importance of saying yes to opportunities and having confidence in yourself.”
Saffron Price-Finnerty and Emma Atherton attended the French event in November. Mentees shared presentations on topics including fuel supply for the diversifying global nuclear industry, the provision of skilled workforce for the nuclear industry and GW vs SMR. At the British Embassy in Paris delegates met the UK Ambassador to France, Dame Menna Rawlings, highlighting the importance of gender equality in the nuclear sector.
On day two delegates visited Framatome’s CETIC site in Chalon-sur-Sa?ne, where Framatome employees train and obtain qualifications to perform installation and maintenance operations for the nuclear industry. They also visited Framatome’s Le Creusot site in Sa?ne-et-Loire, one of the world’s few forges, specialising in producing large forgings and castings in carbon or stainless steel, which are required to manufacture the primary components of a nuclear power station.
We are looking forward to taking part in the mentoring scheme again in 2025.
Saffron said: “I am delighted to have been invited by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to be on the scheme again as a mentor in 2025. This is an amazing opportunity for all new mentees to get practical advice of where to take your career next. The programme includes exceptional visits, discussions and panel sessions which enables us all to work together, share insights and trail-braze to create a great culture in nuclear, where everyone can thrive.”
#IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #nuclear
Women in Nuclear website