Gender Equality at First Light

The Gender Equality at First Light Group was founded in the summer of 2021 with the aim of building a supportive and inclusive scientific community for all. Inspired by similar groups, we are looking to increase the employment and retention of a diverse group of talented people. There is a well documented lack of diversity in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) workforce, with several different groups severely underrepresented. However, research has shown that an inclusive workforce increases productivity, employee retention and job satisfaction. We aim to make everyone feel welcome at First Light Fusion and proactively contribute to build a more equal scientific community.

“Our industry lacks diversity and we are determined to buck that trend. We firmly believe that a diverse team will hugely benefit our continued development – so it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the sensible thing to do. We are proud to be an inclusive business that offers equal opportunities for all.”

Nicholas Hawker
CEO

The Gender Equality at First Light Group promotes diversity and inclusion through:

  • Bi-monthly meetings with training, open discussions, and brainstorming sessions around how we can make our workforce more diverse.
  • Visits from external speakers, including:
    • Leading female researchers speaking about their research and their experiences as female scientists.
    • Leaders and members of other organisations promoting gender equality in STEM.
  • Development of an outreach programme, enabling us to encourage young women and other minorities to pursue a career in STEM. This includes visiting primary and secondary schools and universities.

We encourage collaboration with other groups and companies promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you would like to collaborate or speak to us about our outreach programme, contact us at enquiries@firstlightfusion.com.

Rosie -

Rosie

I’m Rosie, an experimental physicist at First Light. I co-founded this group because I believe that only with a diverse and representative workforce can STEM research achieve its full potential, and because everyone should feel welcome and valued in their career. I am proud to be part of a company that is actively addressing these issues.

Mila -

Mila

Hi, I’m Mila. I’m a numerical physicist and PhD student sponsored by First Light. I spent a lot of my undergraduate degree in engineering feeling like an imposter and worrying about how I would fit into a STEM career when I graduated. Co-founding Gender Equality at First Light is my way of trying to help create a space in STEM where everyone feels accepted and appreciated.

Adam -

Adam

Having had an incredibly welcoming and supportive experience working for First Light in every sense, I would love for that sense of care and inclusivity to be shared by everyone joining our brilliant team. By challenging gender bias both introspectively and in the workplace, I hope to be an ally in encouraging the movement towards a truly equal experience for all working in STEM.

Cristian -

Cristian

I would like to see society’s progress when every individual has the same starting point, whether this is education, the work environment or otherwise. And I am thankful to be part of a group that seeks to provide equal opportunity to all at First Light.