Radiation Safety and Society: Building Sweden’s Interdisciplinary Capacity for Nuclear Futures

Energy production based on fission is complex, and safety aspects for workers, for the general public and for the environment are crucial, both to fulfil regulatory requirements and for the societal acceptance of the technology. We bring together researchers from four faculties at Lund University (Science, Medicine, Engineering, Social Sciences) as well as expertise in linguistics and discourse analysis from Karlstad University. Thus, we will create a strong, expanding and long-term interdisciplinary research environment, attracting students and training doctoral candidates in various aspects of existing and new nuclear power. 

We address three areas of safety and societal aspects, each represented by a work package (WP) with an associated doctoral student (to be hired during 2026): 

• one WP on the environmental impacts of existing and new nuclear power; 
• another on regulatory and industry understandings on current and suggested future fundaments of radiation protection; 
• and a third WP on communication for inclusion and understanding of radiation and nuclear risks.

We will shape a community of knowledge and practice on radiation safety and nuclear energy, developing new teaching activities to strengthen the national ability to meet Sweden’s competence needs related to radiation safety and societal aspects of nuclear power. The recruitment of an assistant university lecturer in applied nuclear physics will ensure generational renewal and continuation and shape a future research leader.

The project is financed by the Swedish Research Council (VR).