CITIZEN SCIENCE IN RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT: EMPOWERING EUROPEANS FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

This one-day workshop will delve into European initiatives focused on citizen-led radioactivity measurements, highlighting existing projects and discussing the challenges they face. The event aims to foster collaboration and explore future opportunities to strengthen the European dimension of citizen science in radiation monitoring. Key objectives include ensuring the sustainability of citizen initiatives and integrating citizen data into decision-making processes, with a particular focus on widening participation in Eastern Europe.

In the aftermath of the Fukushima accident, citizen measurements of ambient radioactivity emerged as a powerful tool to reassure people about their living conditions and to empower them in radiation protection principles. This allowed people living in contaminated countries to make informed choices in daily life. Since then, several initiatives were developed to propose to citizen participating into such projects on radioactivity measurements. Some of these projects are also strongly involved in educational and awareness raising actions, especially in the vicinity of nuclear installations.
This one-day workshop proposes an overview of currently existing projects in Europe about radioactivity measurements by citizen, their structure and their current objectives. An exhibition of some materials is planned. This workshop will also discuss existing gaps and difficulties, and potential future projects, especially in the evolving context in Eastern Europe.

REGISTRATION

PROVISIONAL AGENDA

09:00 -Welcome coffee and registration

09:30 - Opening address
Geraldine Pina,
Commissioner of the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR)

10 :00 - Radioactivity Monitoring: Overview of Initiatives Including Citizens

Social Impact of Citizen Measurements in Post-Accidental Situations – Perspective of the SHARE Platform
Dr. Yevgeniya Tomkiv, President of the SHARE Platform (Norway)

Ibercivis and the OpenRed Project
Francisco Sanz, Executive Director, Ibercivis (Spain)

The CITISTRA Initiative
Maria Davidkova, Deputy Director for Research and Development at the National Radiation Protection Institute, SURO, (Czech Rep.)

The OpenRadiation Project
Dr. Jean Marc Bertho – Project coordinator, OpenRadiation (France)

The TDRM Network, Tihange-Doel Radiation Monitoring
Peter Kammerling – project coordinator, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War - German Affiliate, FIfF (Germany)

11:50 - Panel discussion

12:30 - Lunch Break and Networking

Hands-On Radioactivity Measurement and Educational Tools
13/30 - Discover educational tools and learn how to use radioactivity sensors to contribute to citizen radioactivity monitoring.
Christine Lajouanine (Planète Sciences)
Maria Davidkova (CITISTRA)
Francisco Sanz (Ibercivis)

Citizen Radioactivity Measurement: Addressing Challenges
14:15 - Ensuring Sustainability of Citizen Initiatives
Facilitator: Dr Yevgeniya Tomkiv (President of the SHARE Platform) Participants:
Malcolm de Butler, General Delegate, Nuclear Transparency Watch (NTW)
Christine Lajouanine, Member of Planète Sciences
Maria Davidkova, Deputy Director for Research and Development at the National Radiation Protection Institute (SURO)
Meritxell Martell, RadoNorm Citizen Science Incubator co-leader, Director Merience.

15:00 - Integrating Citizen Data into Decision-Making Processes
Facilitator: Jan Hendrik Kruse (PIANOFORTE Representative) Participants:
Peter Kammerling, Project Coordinator, TDRM network
Francisco Sanz, Executive Director, Ibercivis
Teemu Siiskonen, Deputy Director of the Environmental Radiation Surveillance Department at the Finnish Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (STUK)
Cornelia Bischoff, Member of the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

15:45 - Wrap-up
Jean-Marc Bertho, Project Coordinator, Openradiation

16:00 - Closing Remarks

16:15 - Goodbye Coffee