CNL Celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Canada’s national nuclear laboratory launches new publication ‘Project W’ to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and technology

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Feb. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, announced today that it is working to help address the gender gap that is persistent in all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The United Nations adopted the day of recognition in order to encourage full and equal participation for women and girls in science and to further achieve gender equality and empowerment.

“Unfortunately, it is well-recognized that women and girls around the world continue to face academic and career challenges in scientific and technical disciplines,” commented Kathy McCarthy, CNL’s Vice-President of Research and Development. “At CNL, we want to help change this unacceptable paradigm, so that women and girls who are pursuing scientific and technical careers feel empowered and included.”

Announced earlier this year, CNL is preparing to launch Project W – a new publication intended to inform and inspire women that are interested in science, technology and innovation. The magazine is part of a new series of national programs being developed through a partnership between CNL and the Foundation for Student Science and Technology (FSST) that targets exceptional youth pursuing innovative careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).

The inaugural issue of the publication will be issued in later this year, and is designed to help young women establish and build peer networks of support, encouragement and information and by serving as a compendium of formal and informal scientific and social research, development programs, and other work in this area.

As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, CNL also released a new video series which profiles some of the brilliant female scientists who work at its Chalk River Laboratories campus. Available on the Government of Canada’s “Small Science, Big Discoveries” blog at www.science.gc.ca, young women and girls are encouraged to watch the videos for advice and guidance from women working in physics, chemistry and biology at CNL, among other disciplines.

“It is our hope that this new publication and video series will provide women and girls interested in science and technical disciplines with much-needed support and encouragement,” added McCarthy. “It’s a small start, but hopefully an important one, that will help women feel excited about realizing their full potential in STEAM-related work.”

Canada has a long history of women pioneers in the sciences. This includes Harriett Brooks (1876 – 1933), Canada’s first women nuclear physicist, who is widely considered second only to Marie Curie in the field of nuclear science. Ms. Brooks achievements were recently commemorated by CNL with the establishment of a new state of the art nuclear research facility named after her at the Chalk River Laboratories.

To learn more about CNL, including information career and student opportunities, please visit www.cnl.ca.

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.

Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325