A growing number of governments and societies have come to recognise the key role of nuclear energy in enabling an energy supply chain that can achieve net zero emissions by 2050. However, to meet the necessary scale and speed for a new era of nuclear projects, substantial reinvestment in the nuclear workforce will be imperative.

Highly skilled individuals, often with specialised expertise in scientific disciplines, are the cornerstone of the nuclear energy industry. Although the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the advent of disruptive technologies promise to decrease the demand for on-site staff, a new set of skills and qualifications will be required across the value chain. A well-prepared workforce will be essential to support global construction efforts, ensure operational excellence, and drive innovation in the evolving nuclear sector.

The traditional education route to engineering and science is one of the primary feeder channels into the nuclear industry. Cultivating an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and promoting its application within the nuclear energy sector remains a top priority. The sooner young people recognise opportunities offered by a career in nuclear energy, the more likely they are to pursue nuclear science or engineering degrees.

Now, more than ever, new strategies are needed to attract, train and retain individuals with competencies in emerging fields such as data management, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, and other specialised disciplines. Expertise in areas such as communications, social sciences, nuclear law and human resources will play an increasingly vital role in supporting the industry's needs and ensuring long-term success.

The NEA, in collaboration with its member countries, has developed several programmes aimed at enhancing visibility and access to educational opportunities for youth. These initiatives are designed to expand awareness of concepts, knowledge, and skills essential for a career in nuclear energy, thereby strengthening young people's ability to pursue these opportunities.

Launched in 2021, the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy (the NEA Global Forum) is an inclusive network of organisations involved in the education of the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers. As the first-ever international standing body of nuclear science and technology academics, the NEA Global Forum leverages resources in nuclear academia to confront some of the most significant policy, educational, and human capacity building challenges that the global nuclear technology sector faces today.  

The NEA Global Forum will organise its first inaugural Symposium at the University of Michigan, from 30 September to 2 October 2025.

Through the Symposium, professors and students from leading universities will have a high-level platform to showcase accomplishments, discuss challenges and shape nuclear curricula and other training opportunities. The event will offer a unique opportunity to foster a constructive dialogue with key members of academia, government, and industry. It will help identify emerging challenges and creative solutions in strategic areas, with an expectation of developing recommendations and actionable steps for relevant stakeholders. The NEA Global Forum will play a facilitating role in driving international collaboration to enhance nuclear engineering education and support expanding nuclear workforces.  

A Global Forum Symposium Organising Committee has been established to help ensure smooth planning, co-ordination and execution of the event, including the selection of speakers, managing logistics and communications with participants, sponsors and partners. The Committee is comprised of local and international members:

The local Organising Committee from the University of Michigan is comprised of:

• Professor Todd Allen, University of Michigan, United States – Global Forum member and Symposium lead host
• Kristine Svinicki, University of Michigan, United States – Adjunct Professor 
• Aditi Verma, University of Michigan, United States - Assistant Professor and Global Forum Working Group 1 Co-chair
• John Mobley, University of Michigan, United States – Graduate Student
• Mackenzie Warwick, University of Michigan, United States - Graduate Student
• Ann Verhey-Henke, University of Michigan, United States – Lead Project Manager

The international Organising Committee is comprised of:

• NEA Global Forum Chair and Vice-chair:
  • Professor Seungjin Kim, Purdue University, United States – NEA Global Forum Chair
  • Professor Sungyeol Choi, Seoul National University, Korea – NEA Global Forum Vice-Chair and Chair of Working Group 7
• NEA Global Forum Secretariat:
  • Tatiana Ivanova, Head, Division of Nuclear Science and Education, NEA
  • Gina Abdelsalam, Lead on Nuclear Education Programmes, Division of Nuclear Science and Education, NEA
• NEA Global Forum Working Groups Chairs and Co-chairs:
  • Eun-Hee Kim, Seoul National University, Korea – Working Group 1 Co-chair
  • Kenichi Ishikawa, University of Tokyo, Japan – Working Group 2 Co-chair
  • Emanuela Colombo, Politecnico di Milano, Italy – Working Group 3 Co-chair
  • Edward Obbard, University of New South Wales, Australia – Working Group 3 Co-chair
  • Man-Sung Yim, Texas A&M University, United States – Working Group 4 Co-Chair
  • Ian Farnan, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom – Working Group 4 Co-Chair
  • Paul Bowden, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom – Working Group 5 Chair
  • Lisa Marshall, North Carolina State University, United States – Working Group 6 Chair

A Young Professionals Programme will integrate with the symposium, welcoming students and early career professionals with interests across the seven working group areas of the Global Forum. Participants will:  

• Hear from global leaders in industry, government and academia. 

• Participate in panels and share a youth perspective on nuclear engineering education. 

• Present their own research during a poster presentation session. 

• Build international networks with peers and mentors in the nuclear field. 

Nominations ​

Department heads, research institution, or academic programme heads may nominate one student or young professional from their department or programme to join the symposium by submitting the following:​

1. 1-page letter of support from the department or programme head;​
2. 1-page statement of purpose from the nominee;​
3. Nominee’s CV or resume; ​
4. Proposed title and abstract for the poster; and​
5. An indication whether travel support is required to participate. ​

The nomination package should be sent as a single PDF to the e-mail address globalforum@oecd-nea.org with the name of the file as: “nominee’s_family_name_GFS_2025.pdf ” by the deadline of 5 May 2025. ​

Travel and accommodation for selected participants will be funded by the University of Michigan. ​

Held from 30 September to 2 October 2025, the Symposium will invite stakeholders from the NEA countries and regions where nuclear workforce demands are fast-growing, such as Central and Eastern Europe and Africa. By sharing differing experiences from a wide range of national contexts, the event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from each other and identify areas of synergies.  

Key members of academia, government and industry will be in attendance to identify how challenges related to nuclear education can be collaboratively tackled. High-level speakers and nuclear experts will deliver keynotes and plenary sessions, complemented by panel discussions, invited talks and interactive sessions.

The detailed programme will be released in due course.  

The 2025 Global Forum Symposium will be limited to approximately 150 participants.

The Symposium will foster inclusivity and is open to a range of global stakeholders, assembling a diverse audience including government representatives, academic and research institutions, industry experts, private sector stakeholders, young professionals and civil society.

While many will participate through invitation only events, the University of Michigan’s Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS) will host a number of activities open to the general public. These events will provide opportunities for broader community engagement, allowing attendees to learn more about advancements in nuclear education, technology, and policy

For further information, please contact the NEA Global Forum secretariat by email: globalforum@oecd-nea.org or visit www.oecd-nea.org/globalforum.