ERPW 2023 brought together experts to address current and emerging topics related to radiation protection in UCD

European Radiation Protection Week (ERPW) unites the global radiation protection community at this annual, multidisciplinary event.  This year's gathering brought together experts to address current and emerging topics related to radiation protection. 

ERPW 2023 was hosted by University College Dublin, a member of EURAMED (The European Alliance for Medical Radiation Protection Research). The conference welcomed over 300 delegates to O’Reilly Hall, UCD from 9th to 13th October, 2023. The event featured more than 100 speakers from across Ireland, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australasia.

This year there was a strong focus on medical applications of ionising radiation and the associated radiation protection of patients, staff, and the public. There was also an emphasis on outreach and engagement (with patients and the public) linked to medical applications and environmental applications (e.g., radon gas) in radiation protection research. A plenary session on "Public and Patient Involvement in Radiation Protection Research" had representation from patients, patient advocates, and patient experts. Other ERPW 2023 highlights included hearing Dr Zhanat Carr from the World Health Organization present on "The WHO’s work in the area of mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies" in the plenary on Post Accident Management. The special session on PIANOFORTE on Thursday was of great interest to delegates. 

The ERPW meeting series was initiated in 2016 in Oxford (UK) and is supported by key international organisations including, from the MEENAS Group: MELODI, EURADOS, EURAMED, ALLIANCE, and SHARE; together with expertise from PIANOFORTE, the IAEA, the ICRP, and the WHO. The venue for ERPW 2024 will be announced in the coming weeks.

Under the Consortium of European Radiation Research Platforms (MEENAS Group), ERPW aims to: 

• promote the integration and the efficiency of European research and development in radiation protection to better protect humans (public, patients and workers) and the environment; 
• advance scientific excellence in radiation protection; 
• maintain and develop European radiation protection research capacity; 
• encourage scientific education and training and foster key research infrastructures in the field of radiation protection; 
• foster international collaboration, including collaboration with sister organisations and networks, in a nonexclusive manner by open interaction with the wider radiation protection research community and stakeholders (inclusive of patients and the public). 

Thank you to all involved in the local organising committee, the scientific committee (led by Associate Professor Shane Foley, UCD School of Medicine), presenters, the conference sponsors, especially the Irish Health Research Board and the Environmental Protection Agency, and attendees for an enjoyable and informative European Radiation Protection Week 2023 in Dublin. 

Dr. Jonathan McNulty, 
Conference Chair, ERPW 2023
UCD School of Medicine

Links:

www.ucd.ie/ERPW2023/
www.euramed.eu/
https://pianoforte-partnership.eu/
www.meenas.eu/