Why Aren’t More Young People Interested in Nuclear Energy? (ft. Jennifer Ward)
Podcast: The Atomic Exchange PodcastPublished On: Thu Apr 09 2026
Description: In the 61st installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous are joined by Jennifer Ward, a master’s student in engineering physics at McMaster University, to discuss her path into nuclear and why so many young people still overlook the industry. They explore why energy, and nuclear in particular, can feel uninteresting or distant to younger audiences, how public fears and misunderstandings take shape, and why safety culture and better communication matter so much. Along the way, they also touch on nuclear waste, regulation, SMRs, and why curiosity matters more than fitting some stereotype of who belongs in nuclear. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on why the industry still struggles to capture the imagination of the next generation.
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