Idaho Falls, Idaho – INL has joined Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy (GCNP) with Dr. Mark Peters becoming the latest gender champion. The leadership network, launched in 2018, brings together heads of organizations from all over the world working in nuclear policy who are committed to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. GCNP focuses on gender equality in particular because research shows that including women adds tremendous value and generates better outcomes than single-gender teams.
“I am honored to become a gender champion. INL is committed to inclusive diversity, which includes making a conscious effort to ensure gender equality. Engaging all leaders in this pursuit is key to achieving gender balance in the nuclear field,” said Peters, INL director.
Each gender champion takes the Panel Parity Pledge to consciously assess gender diversity at events and avoid whenever possible appearing on single-gender panels. They also commit to three SMART pledges. INL has committed to the following actions:
- Hold people leaders throughout the laboratory accountable for inclusive diversity hiring practices by training all hiring managers on best practices, providing clear guidelines, and tracking metrics and progress.
- Monitor INL’s inclusive culture via the biennial Employee Engagement, Leadership and Safety Culture Survey, and develop action plans for a path forward based on survey results.
- Actively support telework and flex time for staff by educating managers on INL’s telecommuting policy and encouraging them to utilize telecommuting when appropriate.
Champions also promise to adhere to the GCNP values including treating every person with respect and fairness, actively including, investing in and valuing diverse and emergent perspectives, and promoting female leaders inside and outside of their organizations.
“Publicly committing to Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy is a very significant step to bringing visibility and opportunities to women working in the nuclear field,” said Dr. Marianne Walck, INL deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer who will serve as a GCNP focal point for INL.
Learn more and view all the GCNP pledges here: https://www.gcnuclearpolicy.org/champions/champions/
About Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy
Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy is designed to augment and complement decades of accomplishment in building networks, skills, mentorship, visibility, voice, and community among women working in the nuclear policy field by adding commitment at the leadership level of the nuclear policy sector. The engagement of male and female leaders is critical to the kinds of policy, behavioral, environmental, and cultural changes that are needed to achieve effective gender balance in the nuclear field. Learn more: https://www.gcnuclearpolicy.org/
