Finding My Place in Nuclear – and What Researching Women Online Taught Me

For many people working in the nuclear industry, their journey begins with a clear interest in science or engineering. Mine was a little different.

I hold a 2:1 in International Business and a Distinction in an MBA (Marketing), and if you had asked me during my studies where I saw my career heading, the nuclear sector probably wouldn’t have been my first answer. In fact, I very much fell into it by accident.

While finishing my master’s degree, I began thinking about what I wanted to do next. My original plan was to move into a marketing role, but a friend suggested something I hadn’t previously considered: becoming an Executive Assistant. She pointed out that I’m extremely organised (perhaps a little too organised) and that I genuinely enjoy coordinating plans and keeping things running smoothly. In hindsight, this may have been her polite way of pointing out that I’m the one who ends up organising all our girls’ holidays – which, when you think about it, isn’t all that different from managing someone’s schedule!

After looking into the role, I realised how varied it could be. Executive Assistants often work across multiple teams and projects, which really appealed to me. So I started applying for EA roles and eventually came across an opportunity with NSAN. I remember thinking it sounded like a really interesting organisation, so I applied and the rest is history.

Today, my role is incredibly varied. On any given day I might be managing our MD’s calendar, helping organise major events like the Nuclear Skills Awards, supporting the operations team, working on bursaries, or assisting across different projects. I often describe myself as a bit of an “all-rounder” because I have my fingers in a lot of pies.

A Positive Experience as a Woman in Nuclear

One of the things I feel very fortunate about is that NSAN has a predominantly female workforce. Because of this, my experience as a woman in the nuclear sector has been overwhelmingly positive.

I’m surrounded by inspiring women who I learn from every day. In particular, our Managing Director, Tricia, is someone I greatly admire. She is an incredible leader – fair, strong, and someone who would never allow herself or others to be walked over. Watching leaders like her navigate the industry has been incredibly inspiring for me.

However, one thing I’ve noticed when talking to people outside the sector is that many young people simply don’t realise nuclear is an option for them. When I was at school, it wasn’t something that was ever presented as a career path. Unless you grow up in an area where nuclear roles are common, it often doesn’t appear on your radar at all.

Researching Women Online

While studying for my MBA, I explored a topic that might seem very different from nuclear but actually connects to wider conversations about women in traditionally male-dominated spaces.

My dissertation was titled:
“Do you golf naked?”: Sexualisation, Stereotypes and the Digital Lives of Female Golfers.

I took up golf about four years ago and, naturally, started following female golfers and content creators on social media. Almost immediately, I noticed something – the level of criticism and hostility they received simply for being women in a male-dominated sport.

As I continued observing their content, I started to notice patterns in the types of comments they received. That observation ultimately inspired my research.

Using a mixed-method approach, I conducted a survey of female golfers who create online content and also carried out netnography, a research method that involves observing real interactions in online spaces. In this case, I analysed comment sections on social media posts to understand how audiences responded to female golfers.

Several key themes emerged from the research.

One was presumed incompetence – the assumption that because a creator was female, she must not actually be good at golf. Another was sexualisation, where comments focused on appearance rather than ability. Perhaps the most concerning theme was invasive or overly personal comments, with some creators receiving messages that went far beyond typical online criticism and entered deeply uncomfortable territory.

While I didn’t directly compare male golfers in the study, the difference in how men and women are treated online is widely recognised. Female creators often receive comments that are sexualised, dismissive of their skill, or even stalker-like, things male creators rarely experience to the same degree.

A Wider Issue for Women Online

What my research highlighted is that this behaviour is rarely just about sport. It reflects a wider pattern in how women are treated online.

In many ways, social media can feel like the modern version of the magazines of the early 2000s – spaces that often profit from judging and scrutinising women’s appearances and behaviour.

However, there were also positive signs. Creators who focused on highly educational content often received significantly less negativity, suggesting that audiences responded differently when they felt they were gaining value from the content.

It’s also important to note that many online communities actively challenge negative behaviour and support female creators.

Representation Matters

The themes I explored in my research are not unique to golf. Women entering male-dominated spaces, whether in sport, engineering, or industry – often face similar assumptions about their capability.

That’s why representation matters so much.

Women have always been natural leaders in many areas of life, particularly in our homes and communities. Yet historically, that leadership hasn’t always translated into the workplace in the same way.

Industries like nuclear benefit enormously from diverse perspectives and increasing visibility of women in these roles helps encourage the next generation to see themselves there too.

Looking Forward

If I could go back and give advice to my 12-year-old self starting secondary school, I’d probably tell her to pursue a STEM career – maybe even become an F1 engineer!

But more importantly, I’d remind her not to feel limited by what she sees around her.

Starting something new can be intimidating, especially as a woman entering a space where you may not see many people like you. That’s why supporting each other is so important.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible contributions women make both in and out of the workplace and recognise the importance of continuing to create spaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Because whether people always acknowledge it or not, women really do help make the world go round!

Abby Wallbank, Executive Assistant, NSAN