The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and the Rosatom Technical Academy co-organized events as part of the Lise Meitner Programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). From 10 to 12 August 2026, a delegation of women experts in nuclear industry visited Dubna to get introduced to JINR’s scientific infrastructure and competencies in fundamental and applied studies.
Named in honour of a nuclear fission pioneer, the Lise Meitner Programme aims to facilitate the professional and career growth of women in the nuclear industry. It combines technical training, the development of leadership qualities, and international expertise exchange.
This year’s participants represented 14 countries, including four JINR Member States: Belarus, Egypt, Mongolia, Russia, Algeria, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Spain, Sudan, Turkey, and the UAE. In Dubna, the group was accompanied by Lise Meitner Programme Manager Maria Naydenova and Technical Lead of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy Katya Slavcheva.
Vice-Director of the Joint Institute Latchesar Kostov welcomed the participants at the JINR International Conference Centre. He highlighted JINR’s rich history, emphasising the Institute’s current role as one of the world’s leading research centres. Speaking on the significance of the event held in Dubna, Latchesar Kostov noted the successful long-term JINR–IAEA cooperation. “The programme primarily aims to give an additional impetus to the career growth of women specialists in the nuclear sector, to provide them with the opportunity to improve their professional skills and extend their knowledge in nuclear energy, science, and technology”, the JINR Vice-Director said.
In her welcome speech, IAEA Technical Lead Katya Slavcheva drew attention to the exceptional importance of the initiative for the professional development of women in the global nuclear industry as well. The Agency representative shared her own experience of participating in the first, 2023 programme. “I am incredibly glad to see eighth group of experts here, in Dubna. This proves that the programme truly carries colossal value for every woman, contributing to leadership skills and general life success “, Katya Slavcheva noted.
The first day’s programme included presentations by leading JINR and IAEA specialists. Head of the Division of Neutron Research and Development in Condensed Matter at the Laboratory of Neutron Physics at JINR, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Aleksander Belushkin gave the first scientific talk. He provided an overview of modern neutron sources and their features.
The application of portable neutron generators was discussed by Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of High Energy Physics at JINR Mikhail Sapozhnikov. FLNP JINR Division Head Inga Zinicovscaia spoke about the opportunities provided by neutron activation analysis (NAA) in environmental research. Head of the JINR Radiation Safety Department Stepan Shirkov highlighted the issues of radiation protection and environmental monitoring at the Institute’s research reactors. Director of the IAEA Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences Tzanka Kokalova Wheldon delivered a lecture on the Agency’s capacity building, research, and developments in nuclear sciences.
On 11 August, FLNP JINR Sector Head Olga Philippova held a practical class on the use of NAA in the study of cultural heritage sites. On the same day, the participants visited the Laboratory of Neutron Physics, where they got acquainted with the work of the IREN Research Facility and the IBR-2 Pulsed Reactor.
On the final day, 12 August, a technical tour took place to the site of the NICA, the flagship megascience project at the Laboratory of High Energy Physics, where women experts learned about the research capabilities of the accelerator complex and witness its scale.
“The visit to JINR became an important part of the programme. The participants were able not only to get acquainted with the Institute’s modern research infrastructure, but also to see how fundamental nuclear physics research finds application in a wide variety of areas, from materials science and ecology to the study of cultural heritage sites. It is especially valuable that the programme combined lectures by leading experts with practical classes and an introduction to unique research facilities. This format allows gaining a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities of modern nuclear science and promoting professional exchange between specialists from different countries”, Director for International Cooperation of the Rosatom Technical Academy Viktor Mazepov said.
After the rich programme in Dubna, the participants went to Elektrostal, and then to Moscow, where the final events took place. The results of the Lise Meitner Programme were officially announced on 14 August at the closing ceremony at the Atom pavillion, VDNKh. JINR Vice-Director, RAS Academician Vladimir Kekelidze participated in presenting the certificates of successful completion of the programme. He personally congratulated his colleagues and wished them high achievements in their future professional activities.
Background information
The Rosatom Technical Academy is an international centre of excellence in nuclear knowledge management. The Academy provides professional retraining for nuclear power managers and specialists, including the training of personnel for operating nuclear power plants abroad. Due to possessing unique knowledge in nuclear technology, the Technical Academy is recognised as a unique IAEA Collaborating Centre in five programme areas. In 2025, more than 23 000 students were trained at the Academy: 2014 specialists from nuclear power plants abroad and about 400 specialists from 47 countries of the world learned about the establishment and development of nuclear technologies.
Photo: Rosatom Technical Academy
