ANSTO is hosting the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) flagship Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) running from 9 to 20 February, welcoming 22 early-to-mid career women professionals from our region to its Lucas Height's campus.
Launched in 2023 by the IAEA's Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the LMP was designed to empower women professionals from around the world by providing them with opportunities to advance their technical expertise and leadership skills via immersive visits to leading nuclear institutions.
"The IAEA is happy to be collaborating with ANSTO, whose facilities in Sydney provide an excellent setting for our Lise Meitner programme," said Grossi.
This will be the first time Australia has hosted the event, which will coincide with the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February. Hosting the LMP, named after pioneering physicist Lise Meitner, reflects Australia's commitment to scientific collaboration and our support of professional growth for diverse women in the scientific nuclear workforce.
Participants will gain hands‑on experience in nuclear medicine production, and nuclear science and technology research, and their applications. They'll also explore the role of nuclear science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and how these cutting-edge applications can be adapted and enhanced for use in the participants' home countries, focusing on human health, environment, agriculture, ocean health and industrial development.
Importantly, the LMP provides tools to communicate the benefits of nuclear science and technology to broader audiences-vital in building understanding and trust.
Since inception, the LMP has supported 80 women from 38 countries across six visits hosted by nations including Argentina, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America.
The LMP complements the IAEA's Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, addressing the underrepresentation of women in nuclear science and technology.
The LMP is an annual event (managed by the IAEA) open to professionals currently working in the nuclear sector with 3-10 years of experience or those nearing completion of a PhD with prior work experience.
"Hosting the LMP reflects ANSTO's commitment to empowering women to lead, innovate and shape the future of nuclear science and technology," said Jasmine Reay, Group Executive, Infrastructure and Engineering Services at ANSTO.
"The LMP enables participants to build long-lasting professional relationships, creating a cross-cultural community of women professionals in nuclear."
"By nurturing these talented professionals, ANSTO and IAEA are investing in a stronger future for the nuclear community and fostering women in science to become leaders."
Key Points
- Participants represent a diverse range of countries across the Asia-Pacific region including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- The event will be led by ANSTO and the IAEA.
- This event was supported by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
