We’re proud to announce that Dr Gillian Hirth, Head of Radiation Health Services and deputy CEO at ARPANSA, has been elected as Chair of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) for the 66th and 67th sessions in 2019 and 2020.
Gillian took over as Chair from Dr Hans Vanmarcke, from the Nuclear Research Centre in Belgium, in June.
Gillian has been involved with the Committee since 2012 and previously served as the Committee’s Rapporteur in 2017 and 2018.
UNSCEAR is a world authority on the effects of ionising radiation on human health and the environment. The Committee meets annually to assess and report on the effects of exposure to ionising radiation on human health and the environment as well as reviewing evidence of radiation-induced health effects around the globe.
The assessments made by UNSCEAR are used as the scientific basis for evaluating radiation risk and establishing protective measures globally and are used for formulating international standards designed to protect both the general public and workers from ionising radiation. Australia has been a member of the Committee since it was founded in 1955.
Congratulations to Gillian on her appointment, which recognises her expertise and leadership in radiation health as well as Australia’s contribution to nuclear science in the global arena.
