The Empowering Advocacy in the Nuclear Sector conference marked a critical point of progress for the industry. It was not a standalone moment but part of a growing movement to embed advocacy into the everyday workings of the nuclear sector.

This cross-sector gathering responded to a shared understanding that real, sustainable change cannot happen without deliberate action. Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) must move from policy into practice, and advocacy must be recognised as a leadership behaviour available to everyone.

This was the first in a series of focused advocacy events for We Are PoWEr that is designed to build an inclusive culture across industries. This conference had more than 160 professionals join from across the supply chain, representing large organisations, SMEs, employee networks, and early careers voices.

Purpose:

Position advocacy as an essential, everyday leadership behaviour

Equip individuals at all levels with the tools and language to advocate effectively

Address structural and cultural barriers through honest conversation and action

Strengthen inter-company and intergenerational dialogue to drive sustainable change

What Took Place?

- The conference was structured to shift thinking, activate ideas, and promote cross-sector collaboration:

- Opening Reflections: Leaders from Sellafield set the tone with bold honesty on the sector's current state and future potential.

- Fireside Dialogue: Panellists explored the role of advocacy in shaping inclusive environments, including psychological safety, intersectionality, and inclusive leadership.

- Panel Q&A: Audience questions sparked rich discussion on workplace equity, career barriers, and strategies to embed advocacy into operational structures.

- Networking and Showcases: Delegates engaged with internal networks, discussed mentoring programmes, and EDI programmes across the sector.

- The 3x3x3 Advocacy Challenge: Every attendee was invited to take ownership by connecting with three new people, committing to three actions, and inspiring three others to do the same.

Core Conversations

Throughout the day, several recurring themes and insights emerged:

Turning policy into practice: Inclusion must extend beyond statements and into every level of business operations.

Psychological safety: Creating space for people to speak without fear is the foundation for any advocacy culture.

Allyship and accountability: Those with influence must actively use it to open doors and challenge bias.

Rethinking representation: Progress isn't just about numbers; it's about influence, visibility, and belonging.

Sharing power: Real inclusion happens when leadership listens, reflects, and shares authority with others.

These conversations weren’t surface-level. They were rooted in real experiences and hard truths. Attendees were encouraged to challenge assumptions—and themselves.

Impact & Momentum

The conference represents the beginning of a wider movement. It will be followed by additional convenings, mentoring programmes, thought leadership, and support tools to deepen impact across the year.

The path to an inclusive nuclear future is collective. And it begins with the everyday choices we make to advocate for one another.

Quotes:

“The Advocacy in Nuclear Conference was a pivotal moment. To be in a room where advocacy wasn’t just spoken about but actively demonstrated was energising. It reminded me that creating an inclusive nuclear sector requires all of us to show up, speak up, and support one another. This conference showed me what’s possible when intent meets action.” - James Dickaty – Commissioning & Startup Manager at Sellafield 

“This wasn’t just another nuclear industry event—it was a bold step forward. The conversations were honest, the energy was collaborative, and the message was clear: advocacy is essential if we’re serious about shaping a nuclear sector that’s truly inclusive. It was an honour to open and close the conference in a space so full of purpose, and I hope that everyone attending and hearing about this conference feels empowered to make a difference.” - Dawn Watson – Head of Strategy & Technical, Site Management at Sellafield  

“What stood out to me was the openness in the room, people came ready to challenge themselves and each other. Advocacy is a journey, and conferences like this with We Are PoWEr are the checkpoints that keep us moving forward. It meant a lot to be part of a panel that encouraged vulnerability, shared experiences, and focused on action, not just intent.” - Monica Mwanje – Managing Director at MM Creative Solutions Limited, Founder and Managing Director at Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear