WNA AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO
THE PEACEFUL USE OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY TO WIN

DR SUE ION (UK)
As director of technology at British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), one of the world’s leading nuclear enterprises, she is a widely recognised leader internationally and serves on the panel that advises Britain’s Prime Minister on science and technology.

Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, this is a fantastic and wonderful honour, and it’s actually one I owe to the visibility that I’ve been given by others, especially my company BNFL, the chances I’ve had, and the fantastic teams it’s been my privilege to work with for all these years in the industry. So thank you, thank you for all those who’ve supported me for the 26 years I’ve had in nuclear. Thank you to the WNA as an organisation for having the initiative to make this award, and recognising the individuals and organisations that we represent.

Now, women with visibility and credibility are key to gaining the public acceptability which is so essential to the successful further deployment of nuclear energy worldwide. Women are more sceptical about the advantages of nuclear energy. They are more inclined to be concerned about issues such as waste, proliferation and other things that are negative. They represent the majority of the anti-vote. Equally and perhaps more importantly, they represent the majority of the “don’t knows” in any polls that are taken. So, we actually have a massive amount of work to do to ensure the swing vote, when it is made, is in favour and not against.

Now honesty, integrity and truthfulness are issues that matter very much to women. They’re very important values, and women are perceived to care about people and about the long-term future of the planet. That’s not to say that you guys aren’t either but it’s just that women generally are recognised as having those values. And so women working in the sector with relevant expertise can explain more complex issues in terms that others can understand. Women can usually see both sides of the story and actually push the debate to a positive outcome.

Women can be very passionate and very determined in things they believe in. Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve had a passionate belief that nuclear energy was gifted to mankind as the greatest thing ever given, and nothing has ever shifted me from that view. You’ll find very talented, intelligent and influential women in the finance and the banking sector, as Madame Lauvergeon said this morning, but also, more importantly, in the media. They might help us if we can bring them on our side.

So, I guess the key message to you all is to use the likes of those honoured today and the many talented women sitting in this audience today, and those back at base, to better effect. Because you have some very willing volunteers to make our case as ambassadors for the nuclear industry and, believe me, you won’t regret it. Thank you very much.