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Women in Nuclear Security

Women in Nuclear Security

Written by: Shahneela Tariq
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To address the underrepresentation of women in nuclear security, this Podcast has been initiated at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California. This podcast is dedicated to documenting the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women in this field. This initiative aimed to complement existing efforts of national governments and international organizations to promote women's inclusion in nuclear security. By providing a platform for women to share their stories, the project sought to increase their visibility, appreciation, and encouragement.

Additionally, it aimed to broaden the dissemination of knowledge beyond traditional conference and classroom settings, making it more accessible to a wider audience including young female scholars and students.

Ultimately, the project intended to foster greater diversity and equality in nuclear security policymaking worldwide.Copyright Shahneela Tariq Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Importance of Transformative Leadership Practices in Nuclear Energy Security

    The Importance of Transformative Leadership Practices in Nuclear Energy Security
    May 8 2026
    This episode deep dive into the intersection high-stake security and human-centric transformative leadership with Dr. Fatema Alnaqbi from UAE. Fatema shares her unique perspective on why nuclear security is, first and foremost, a people system and through this conversation with Fatema, we explored how the shift from traditional checklist compliance to transformational leadership, people at nuclear power plants can be empowered to take ownership of safety and security.The key highlights of this episode include:
    • Human-Centric Nuclear Security: Why in nuclear security ‘see something, say something’ approach is more important than any training manual.
    • Traditional vs. Transformative Leadership: Transformative leadership is move away from mere compliance to individual ownership and structed debriefs.
    • Breaking Barriers: What role transformative mentorship on advocacy and visibility can bridge the gap and break the traditional barriers, which women face in nuclear sector.
    • Success in Action: How actions, and not manuals can improve stakeholder communication. A case study on implementing role-based language training to enhance real-time incident reporting was discussed.
    This episode is an exclusive guide for practitioners and personnel at the power plant with leadership positions. The episode concludes with Fatema's expert advice for aspiring women leaders on building male-allied sponsorships and creating ‘organizational memory’ to ensure sustainable excellence.
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    25 mins
  • Building the Human Shield: The Importance of Training and Qualification for the Success of Nuclear Newcomers

    Building the Human Shield: The Importance of Training and Qualification for the Success of Nuclear Newcomers
    Mar 12 2026
    This episode of the Women in Nuclear Security Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Dr. Mohamed Zineddin, a renowned expert in nuclear security and R&D staff at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

    Drawing from his foundational role in the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and his extensive academic and training background, Dr. Z discusses the workforce, which we call the Human Shield in this episode as the ultimate safeguard for any nuclear enterprise.
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    29 mins
  • Harnessing Nuclear Energy for Good: Understanding and Mitigating Risks

    Harnessing Nuclear Energy for Good: Understanding and Mitigating Risks
    Feb 25 2026
    In this episode, we sit down with Jasmin, a powerhouse in the nuclear security sector. With more than two decades of Combat Engineering experience in the Australian Army, specializing in countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, Jasmin brings an unparalleled level of ‘boots-on-the-ground’ experience to the conversation.

    In this conversation, we explore:·


    • The Turning Point: What led a combat engineer to become a leading advocate for peaceful nuclear technology?
    • The Talent Pipeline: Why diversity is essential in building a resilient nuclear workforce for the future.
    • AUKUS & Nonproliferation: How Australia can lead the Indo-Pacific in nuclear safety and safeguard norms.
    Whether you are a policy expert, a student of STEM, or simply curious about Australia's high-tech future, this episode offers a masterclass in leadership and security from one of the best in the this field.
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    38 mins
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