| | | | | |
|
Dear reader,
As we look back on the past month, we can do so with great pride and appreciation. It has been a busy and rewarding quarter, filled with a wide range of activities, events, and milestones. The dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment shown by our members, volunteers, and partners have contributed to many successes and positive achievements.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming first ALV meeting. It will be a valuable opportunity to connect, share ideas, reflect on our progress, and discuss our plans for the future together.
As the summer season begins, we also encourage everyone to take time to relax and recharge. Whether you are travelling, spending time with family and friends, or enjoying activities closer to home, we wish you a wonderful summer filled with rest, enjoyment, and new experiences. We look forward to seeing you again after the summer break, refreshed and ready for another successful period together.
Warm regards,
The WIN Netherlands Board
|
| |
Beyond Burnout - Strategies for a Healthier Workday |
| |
|
The webinar 'Beyond Burnout - Strategies for a Healrhier Workday' on the 5th of June focused on burnout as a growing work-related phenomenon and explored both organizational and individual factors that contribute to it. Dr. Iris Arends explained that burnout is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Key symptoms include exhaustion, cynicism toward work, and reduced effectiveness and productivity.
Research data from the Netherlands show a significant increase in burnout complaints, mental health disorders, and psychological absenteeism, particularly among employees aged 18–34. Arends emphasized that while burnout overlaps with conditions such as depression and anxiety, its strong connection to the work environment makes it a valuable concept for understanding workplace mental health. Several workplace factors were identified as burnout risks, including high workloads, time pressure, unclear expectations, emotional demands, and poor management. Protective factors include autonomy, supportive leadership, social connections, opportunities for development, meaningful work, and psychological safety.
Clinical psychologist Reny Bolt discussed how chronic stress affects the brain and body, leading to cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. She stressed the importance of recognizing early warning signs such as fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, sleep disturbances, and withdrawal from colleagues.
The key message from both speakers was that burnout prevention requires both individual awareness and organizational responsibility, with open communication, timely intervention, and supportive work environments playing essential roles.
|
| |
|
IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) in France
- Call for applications -
|
| |
|
IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) in France: hosted by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and ITER Organization – Call for Applications
Dates of the LMP: 23 November – 4 December 2026
Focus: Management of complex nuclear projects in an international environment.
The IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) professional visit in France (23 November - 4 December 2026) will focus on the management of nuclear projects in an international environment. It will address the complexity factors of large nuclear projects in an international context and explore similarities, specificities and synergies in fission and fusion projects.
As the scientific, technological and engineering scope plays a key role in the complexity level of projects, participants will gain insight into success factors for nuclear projects, and the management of complex fission and fusion projects, including through feedback and demonstrations by experts from the ITER Organization and the CEA.
The visit will explore how technological complexity and regulatory requirements influence projects’ life cycle and performance. The programme will include visits to ITER, the Jules Horowitz Reactor, the WEST fusion reactor (which set the world record for plasma duration), and CEA ancillary facilities that are essential to fusion and fission research reactors. This LMP visit will also place an emphasis on leadership and resilient communication skills for nuclear professionals.
This training is suited for professionals with 3–10 years of experience in nuclear engineering, physics, or related technical fields for either fission or fusion energy, as well as those involved in nuclear policy, regulation, or nuclear facility management. Applicants should have a fundamental understanding of nuclear energy to fully benefit from the technical presentations, practical exercises, and site visits included in the programme. Previous project management exposure is also recommended.
More on who can apply and how the selection proces works can be found here.
|
| | | |
|
Women in Nuclear the Netherlands was at the Nuclear Innovation Conference on the 10th and 11th of June in Haarlem. Organized by NRGPALLAS, it provided a focused platform to connect nuclear stakeholders across disciplines, generations and industries. There were many interesting conversations and different perspectives offered. Over two days, insights were exchanged on financing new builds, technology deployment, long-term operation, supply chains and lessons learned worldwide.
WIN NL was at the event to support these discussions and cast a net to widen our network. Professionals from all corners of the industry stopped by to ask us interesting questions, swap stories, grab some goodies, and learn about becoming a member! This gave us a chance to go back to the drawing board and think about some interesting initiatives and how we can grow the WIN NL community bigger and better. Watch this space for some exciting new announcements!
|
| | | |
|
Interview with Alyssa Brinkhof
Q: What attracted you towards this industry/field of work?
I studied International Relations and wrote my master’s thesis on nuclear non-proliferation and the Iran case (still very relevant after 12 years😊). I started my career in the public sector, working on security topics, where nuclear was only a small part of my portfolio.
When I joined the Directorate of Nuclear Energy in January, I was drawn to the concrete challenge of rebuilding the sector and the scale of what still needs to be done. To be honest, I wasn’t specifically looking for a role in the nuclear sector, but the drive and energy of people working across the sector quickly drew me in.
|
| |
|
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
Much of my work focuses on organising the nuclear supply chain, a topic we still have a lot to (re)discover about. What I enjoy most is that we’re really exploring this together with all the stakeholders involved (nuclear experts, industry, policymakers, etc.), and translating lessons learned into concrete action that fits each of our roles.
Q: Who is a woman that you admire in personal/professional life?
I don’t have one specific role model. More generally, I value when women actively support and uplift each other, rather than compete.
I’ve seen how impactful that can be in my own career - for example, being considered for a promotion during maternity leave, or being supported in securing the salary I deserved, even when I hadn’t negotiated it perfectly myself.
If we consistently support each other in this way, I believe many initiatives around gender equality - including women in nuclear - would become far less necessary.
Q: What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I’m quite action-oriented and strongly believe in the power of networks. In the coming months, there is a lot of activity that I expect will lead to concrete initiatives and valuable input to further strengthen the supply chain and the broader ecosystem.
Q: What is your top tip for other women nuclear professionals?
Don’t overthink it. There is a lot of energy and momentum in the sector, and anyone who is enthusiastic and willing to contribute is more than welcome to participate - women, men, or otherwise.
|
| | | |
|
26th of June 14:00-16:00 - General Assembly Women in Nuclear the Netherlands (via Teams)
We are organizing our first official ALV, and this is the moment to share your views and help determine the future direction of Women in Nuclear Netherlands. We are setting our ambitions for the coming year: growing our community, organizing meaningful events, building committees, increasing visibility, and strengthening our role as a network for women in the nuclear sector.
30th of June 20:00-21:00 - FNV Webbinar horomen op de werkvloer
|
| | | | | |
|
