IAEA’s Lise Meitner Programme Empowers Women in Nuclear with Japan Visit

The Lise Meitner Programme (LMP), the International Atomic Energy Agency’s flagship initiative to advance women’s careers in nuclear science and technology, achieved a major milestone this June with a two-week professional development visit to Japan. The visit, held from 9 to 20 June, brought together 15 early- to mid-career women professionals from 13 countries, offering them immersive technical training, leadership development, and unique networking opportunities in one of the world’s most advanced nuclear nations.

Launched in 2023 by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the LMP aims to bridge the gender gap in nuclear fields by preparing women for leadership roles and enhancing their technical and professional skills. Japan, with over six decades of nuclear expertise and cutting-edge facilities, provided a dynamic platform for this latest programme edition.

An Empowering Experience in a Global Science Hub

The Japan visit was jointly hosted by the University of Tokyo, the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, and the Cabinet Office of Japan, with financial support from the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative. Participants hailed from a wide range of professional backgrounds—government agencies, academic institutions, and industry players—underscoring the programme's commitment to cross-sectoral capacity building.

“Facilitating growth is what brings resilience to the nuclear energy sector, and that is the great value that the LMP initiative provides,” said Lisa Lande, IAEA’s Technical Lead for Knowledge and Human Capacity Building.

Over the two weeks, participants:

• Attended advanced nuclear engineering lectures at the University of Tokyo, covering topics such as fuel design, thermal hydraulics, and radiation protection.

• Engaged in leadership and professional development workshops, with a focus on strategic planning, decision-making, and career mapping.

• Participated in technical tours of major facilities including the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor, and Hitachi-GE’s Rinkai factory, known for manufacturing reactor components.

Personal and Professional Transformation

For many of the participants, the LMP visit to Japan was more than an educational experience—it was a transformative journey.

“This programme came at the exact right time in my career,” shared Isabelle Gentili, an operation officer at ITER, the international nuclear fusion project in France. “I’ve been struggling with my ‘why,’ and this experience helped me find it.”

“This LMP visit was so much more than professional development,” added Aibope Davletiyarova, Manager of Uranium Control at Kazatomprom in Kazakhstan. “It was a retreat for the soul and brain.”

The programme also featured group activities that encouraged reflection on global challenges. Participants analyzed the Fukushima nuclear accident, brainstorming strategies for prevention and emergency response. The visit also included a cultural tour of Shizuoka city and meetings with members of Women in Nuclear (WiN) Japan, deepening the participants’ global network and exposure to local perspectives on gender inclusion in science.

Advancing Gender Equality in the Nuclear Sector

Despite progress in recent years, women remain underrepresented in nuclear science and technology fields. The IAEA created the Lise Meitner Programme—named after the pioneering Austrian-Swedish physicist who co-discovered nuclear fission—to accelerate gender equity by offering structured, high-impact learning experiences to women professionals.

Through technical lectures, site visits, and mentoring, the LMP equips women with the skills and confidence to lead in traditionally male-dominated sectors. It also fosters lasting professional networks that can support long-term career advancement.

The programme is supported through extra-budgetary and in-kind contributions from IAEA Member States and donors. It actively seeks engagement from public and private sector institutions, academic bodies, and civil society to broaden its impact.

What’s Next for the LMP?

The momentum continues with the next LMP visit scheduled for 13–25 July in Canada, focusing on research reactors. This session will be jointly hosted by McMaster University and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and will include similar activities designed to deepen participants’ expertise and leadership potential in nuclear science.

More information about the Lise Meitner Programme, including how to partner or support future initiatives, can be found on the IAEA’s official website.

With its latest milestone visit to Japan, the Lise Meitner Programme is shaping the next generation of female nuclear leaders, breaking barriers and building bridges across borders. As the nuclear industry moves toward a more diverse and resilient future, programmes like LMP offer hope—and a clear path forward—for equity, excellence, and empowerment.