Career paths are rarely linear progressions. They are often shaped by the twists and turns of life, leading to new countries, sectors and roles. However, they can also be hindered by structural barriers in a sector, intended and not.
Ongoing research by the NEA High Level Group on Gender Balance suggests that professionals in the nuclear sector may face specific challenges based on gender. Considering that “…women constitute only 24.9% of the nuclear workforce today, with even lower representation in STEM (20.6%) and senior leadership roles (18.3%),” as found in the NEA Working Paper Best Practices to Retain and Support Women in the Nuclear Sector (2025), continuous efforts should be made to increase the participation of women in nuclear science and technology.
The NEA is supporting its member countries as they achieve that change. Part of the work involves increasing the visibility of female role models. In fact, the NEA publication Gender Balance in the Nuclear Sector, which was based on a broad data collection effort across member countries, found that role models are “significant for attracting and recruiting other women.” It also found that “…a lack of role models and women in leadership roles, as shown in both the human resource and individual surveys, may have a long-term negative impact on developing and advancing women from more junior roles.”
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, on 8 March, the NEA has taken the opportunity to highlight the career paths of some of the women working with the Agency.
The paths that led them to join the nuclear sector are varied. For some, it was an opportunity to serve their home country, while for others it was a result of the academic interests they had pursued. The range of their experiences has enabled each of these people to bring a unique perspective.
Like Alexia Mercer, who holds degrees in both humanities and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. She brings this broad background to her work as Project Lead and Thermochemical Database Co-ordinator. She does this by ensuring that the work is both technically sound and well supported by stakeholders.
“I studied both history and chemistry, where history really helped me with cultural knowledge and drafting skills, while the chemistry part connects with the nuclear side of my work. Both helped me learn rigor and structure.”
For others, like Thu Zar Win, working in nuclear energy came as part of a pursuit for knowledge within her home country. Her career started in nuclear energy at Myanmar’s Department of Atomic Energy. This inspired her to continue her education, ultimately earning a PhD, at Nagasaki University in Japan, where she researched recovery efforts following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident through surveys of affected residents. It helped her understand different contexts of nuclear technology.
Now both support the work of the NEA, bringing a combination of human understanding and technical expertise.
With time, they may become role models for other young women interested in the nuclear sector, akin to senior NEA leaders like Keiko Chitose, Véronique Rouyer, Kimberly Sexton Nick and Tamara Yankovich, who boast decades of experience in the nuclear sector.
Hear more from some of the women at the NEA about their work and experiences:
