Encouraging Women to Follow Careers in Fusion Science and Technology: IAEA Webinar

Ever since it was suggested in the 1920s that stars, such as the sun, draw their infinite energy from the fusion of hydrogen isotopes to form helium, nuclear fusion has been an area of great interest, and there is a good reason why. Fusion power holds the promise of a potentially limitless carbon free energy supply without generating long lived radioactive waste. Fusing atoms together in a controlled way can release nearly four million times more energy than burning of coal, oil or gas, but does not emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere as do coal powered plants (Watch this video to learn more about fusion).

After decades of intensive research, scientists and engineers have made significant steps towards making fusion energy a reality. Last year marked a historic moment for the nuclear fusion community, as the assembly of an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion with the world’s largest Tokamak commenced at ITER, following 10 years of construction work in France.

Numerous privately funded commercial enterprises are also on the rise, drawing on the know-how generated over years of publicly funded research and development, with leading investors positioning themselves to capitalize on the sector’s potential.

“Over the last years, we have seen fusion advancing quicker than ever before, opening new job opportunities and inspiring career horizons,” said Sehila Gonzalez de Vicente, Nuclear Fusion Physicist at the IAEA and one of the speakers at the webinar. “Fusion could offer an exciting career path for young professionals and give them the chance be a part of achieving significant milestones and breakthroughs in this field, such as net energy gain.”

The IAEA has played a pivotal role in the international cooperation on fusion research, as a driving force behind scientific and technological advancements in fusion. One of the IAEA’s signature conferences, the Fusion Energy Conference (FEC), was first held in Salzburg, Austria, in 1961 and has since shaped the field of nuclear fusion as the main discussion platform for key physics and technology issues as well as innovative concepts directly relevant to the use of nuclear fusion as a future energy source.

The next conference of the series, FEC2020, organized by the IAEA and hosted by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the ITER Organization, will take place virtually from 10 to 15 May 2021. Open to the public, the conference will offer more than 100 scientific presentations delivered by key players in the field; various virtual side events, including an event featuring the history of the FEC series and an event discussing the role of women in fusion; numerous virtual technical tours, webinars and exhibition booths. Register here for the conference by 7 May, and find more information about the programme of the event here.