Within the framework of the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy's Working Group 3, Rethinking the relationship between nuclear energy and society, the NEA, in co-operation with the UNSW Sydney Nuclear Innovation Centre, convened leading nuclear experts from Australia and across the globe to discuss the role of nuclear in a changing world. 

Approximately 250 international experts and early career professionals joined together in Australia on 4-6 August 2025 at the inaugural NEA Nuclear Futures event. The event was held in collaboration with the University of New South Wales, Sydney (UNSW) and the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre to discuss global perspectives and key questions concerning the application of nuclear technologies and innovation in society.

A key focus of the three-day event was the need to engage a broad range of skillsets in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines to build a robust workforce and strong nuclear supply chains to meet global needs. The NEA invited delegates to participate in three days of activities aiming to foster collaboration and intergenerational knowledge exchange.

Day 0: Site visit

The event started with a site visit to Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). As part of the visit, 32 delegates had an opportunity to visit the Open Pool Australian Light-Water (OPAL) multi-purpose reactor, the Centre for Accelerator Science (CAS), the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, the National Research Cyclotron and the National Deuteration Facility.

Day 1: Nuclear dialogue

Welcome Session: Setting the International and Australian context

• William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General
• Atilla Brungs, Vice Chancellor and President, UNSW Sydney
• Fireside Chat: How can the international community collaborate to meet the world’s energy demands?
• Plenary Address: The global and Australian nuclear landscape

Panel Session:

• Panel 1: Workforce development and lessons from the nuclear sector
• Panel 2: Nuclear and society – Earning trust, building consensus and advancing social licence
• Panel 3: Nuclear safety, waste and regulatory alignment
• Panel 4: From mines to megawatts – Uranium’s role in global energy security, decarbonising industry and technology

Evening networking event:

• Time to connect with other delegates and discuss the day’s insights
• Opportunities to discuss possible careers in the nuclear field in the context of global questions
• International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) Conference dinner with Keynote Speakers

Day 2: Roundtable career discussions (for selected delegates, by NEA invitation only)

Morning sessions:

• Keynote presentations on careers in the nuclear sector
• Small, facilitated breakout sessions with roundtable discussions focused on key nuclear questions from abstract submissions

Afternoon session: Discussion and synthesis

• Team presentations by early career professionals highlighting key breakout discussions
• Panel discussion, where facilitators share insights and recommendations from roundtable discussions
• Q&A session on key takeaways and possible career pathways to build a Nuclear Future