The International Radiological Protection School (IRPS) was created in 2018 in partnership with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and Stockholm University’s Centre for Radiation Protection Research (CRPR) to ensure that the depth of knowledge of the radiological protection (RP) system is passed onto future generations of RP professionals and further advance progress in the field.
The fourth edition of the International Radiological Protection School was held from 22-26 August in Stockholm, Sweden, and assembled 52 participants from 26 countries at Stockholm University and online.
With more than 100 applications received for this session, the programme’s success continues to grow as it fulfils its mission to provide early to mid-career radiological protection professionals with a deeper understanding of the "spirit" of the international radiological protection system through an intensive five-day training.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV addressed the participating students via video, speaking about why the IRPS is such an important endeavour for the NEA.
“This course has evolved to become something special. It is not just learning about what we do in assuring radiological protection, but why we do it. Having the opportunity to engage with highly accomplished global experts and having dialogues with them on the radiological protection system will provide understandings and insights that will become more important in the future as the system continues to evolve,” said the NEA Director-General.
Participants during a lecture at the International Radiological Protection School recently held at Stockholm University
Over the five-day programme, 23 renowned teachers and experts in the radiological protection field from around the world delivered a series of lectures to the future RP leaders. Each lecture addressed a specific issue in the diverse field of radiological protection, providing the participants with a thorough and state-of-the-art overview of the fundamentals, latest developments and future challenges in the field.
The participants had the opportunity to build upon and exchange their knowledge during these classes in addition to workshops, Q&A sessions, quizzes and practical case studies. The scenarios gave the students the opportunity to propose solutions to hypothetical challenges in radiological protection regulation and implementation and to receive feedback from their expert mentors.
IRPS students counting chromosomal aberrations at Stockholm University
The IRPS aims to underline the nuances, history and between the lines meaning of international guidance and working experience that will allow the next generation of radiological protection leaders to appropriately apply the radiological protection system consistently with national regulations in place and to address current and future RP challenges.
Prior to the IRPS on-campus week, participants were invited to join a dedicated online learning platform which introduced them to some of the lecturers and helped them in their course preparations. This edition of the International Radiological Protection School also included a practical session during which participants shared their experiences and the challenges they face when applying radiological protection system.
The IRPS is dedicated to being a two-way learning programme to ensure that the students can have a tailored educational experience. The opportunity that the participants have to share their knowledge and experiences with their peers broadens the diversity of the programme.
Visit here or more information on future editions of the IRPS. Applications usually open between February and March.
