An interview with Jack Valentin, former Scientific Secretary of the International Commission on Radiological Protection and an SRP Honorary Fellow.

The Allan Magnox Henjewele Swarf, Nuclear Storage Silo Safety Case practitioner at Mott MacDonald, talks to Jack about the past and future of radiological protection, collaboration and what everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

What made you switch from genetics to radiological protection? When Jack, ten years into his career as a geneticist, earned his PhD and rose to Associate Professor at Stockholm University, he was offered an opportunity to start a new genetics department in Gothenburg. He did this but was not appointed Professor; instead he was offered the position as lecturer and Dean of the Faculty. However, this didn ' t align with Jack ' s aspirations and this“ career crisis” influenced him to come back to Stockholm and find a new role. Despite initial challenges in convincing the regulatory authority of his suitability, Jack transitioned into radiation protection. It turned out that radiation protection was exactly what he liked and felt at home in, finding the work meaningful and well-suited to his skills and interests.

What have been some of the major changes in the industry? Jack noted that awareness of mental health

and psychological consequences in radiation emergencies has grown significantly. This is now considered early in planning and response, a shift from earlier attitudes. Management of radiological incidents is not purely thought of as mitigation of dose or exposure, but includes mental and psychological well-being of individuals. Jack observed how radiation protection increasingly intertwines with other expert disciplines. We agreed on the necessity of multidisciplinary teams in radiation protection, to ensure comprehensive safety and effective emergency response.

Jack described his efforts to bring together experts from different disciplines for collaborative projects, often enriching outcomes with the inclusion of additional relevant expertise. See, for example, Ambio 42( 2013) issue 4 on radwaste disposal or J Radiol Prot 2021-2023 Special Issue on Medical management after high-dose radiation exposures.

Proudest moments? Recognition as an Honorary Fellow of SRP and an Honorary Member of NSFS, the Nordic Society for Radiological Protection. The SRP fellowship came as a complete and much appreciated surprise!

18 Radiation Protection Today www. srp-rpt. uk