Regulating for a Safer Tomorrow: Alm-Lytz’s Path in Nuclear Safety

Alm-Lytz was keen to play an active role in shaping her country’s nuclear industry and decided to apply for a position of a nuclear safety inspector at Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).??

There, she worked on regulatory oversight and safety reviews and held several functions ranging from inspector to assistant director. In 2013, she was appointed as the Director of the Department of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. In this capacity, she oversaw the safety of operating Finnish nuclear power plants and plants under construction, started the renewal of the Finnish nuclear safety regulations, and participated in different international regulatory cooperation activities.??

?“Kirsi has a unique ability to inspire and empower her team, leading to remarkable results,” said Petteri Tiippana, Director General of STUK.???

After more than two decades ensuring the safety of Finnish facilities, in 2022 Alm-Lytz began a new chapter of her career, bringing her knowledge and experience to the international community as the head of the IAEA Regulatory Activities Section.??

“My work at the IAEA allows me to support people from all countries, in ensuring the safety of their nuclear facilities,” said Alm-Lytz .”This role is very rewarding, and it validates all the hard work and effort we put in. We believe that we contribute to global nuclear safety.”??

To Alm-Lytz,? one of the most fruitful aspects of her role is collaborating with countries during events, technical meetings and in IAEA’s regulatory peer review services. Having been a reviewer for many IAEA missions and participated in many IAEA activities, she has seen how different perspectives on nuclear safety come together, working toward consensus to meet the needs of countries.??

“I believe that there’s a true sense of collective responsibility when it comes to nuclear safety, and the willingness to learn from each other has been a constant source of inspiration,” she said.?

Recalling her university days studying engineering physics, Alm-Lytz remembers that there were only a few women in a class of about 100 men. She strongly believes that many young girls are more than capable of excelling in physics, yet often shy away from pursuing it.??

The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to supporting the ability of all individuals, regardless of gender, to equally contribute to and benefit from its programmes and activities.

In 2020, the IAEA launched the?Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP)?to support the next generation of women nuclear professionals by offering scholarships for master’s degree in nuclear-related fields. A new IAEA initiative launched in March 2023, the?Lise Meitner Programme, offers early- and mid-career women multiweek training visits to nuclear facilities.??

Read more about the IAEA’s work on?gender equality, and apply for?vacancies, internships or pipelines.??