Jack has had many years at the forefront of collaboration- SSI( the Swedish radiation regulator) with other national bodies namely SRP and NSFS, as well as international bodies such as the International Radiation Protection Association( IRPA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection( ICRP). His work has advanced radiation protection and reduced risks, and raised the profile of wonderful initiatives originating from the meetings that he helped organise and facilitate. An example being the 14th IRPA World Congress in Cape Town in 2016, where he chaired the Programme Committee.
Not to mention editing many ICRP publications. Jack is particularly proud, for different reasons, of Publications 76 and 103, but says that in contrast to some predecessors he had neither the competence nor the inclination to try to improve on the scientific rigour of each draft report.
His major priorities at ICRP were organisation, arranging for world-wide public consultation on all drafts and diplomacy, participating in meetings with international organisations, funding bodies, industries, regulators, and civil society organisations.
His hard work has provided enlightenment on issues like protection of people in emergency exposure situations, medical physics practices and providing frameworks for how to assess the impact of ionising radiation on non-human species.
encouraging staff to participate in international organisations, while providing support for travel and covering work responsibilities.
What is something that everyone should experience at least once? I think that everyone should once in their life stand up in front of their boss and say,“ I am sorry, I made a silly mistake and because of that we have lost a large sum of money”. This might be the most uncomfortable feeling in the world, but Jack says it is very important to confess to a mistake you ' ve made because often it is not catastrophic. Most importantly, people will forgive you if you have done an honest mistake.
Jack finished our interview by saying that admitting to mistakes is vital in radiation protection and safety. This should be considered as part of the process, not something to be shunned. In his experience as a hobby pilot, he has had to recall this very often. Like the aviation industry, where mistakes are communicated honestly and openly in a just and non-punitive culture, the nuclear industry is very good at this. Other industries could emulate the nuclear industry in terms of learning from experiences.
What practices or cultures have resonated with you the most in your career? While working at the Swedish Radiological Protection Authority( SSI, now SSM), Jack noted their inclusive culture of continuous learning. In his first staff meeting at SSI he was told to not go home on Friday without spending at least one hour in the library! All the staff, no matter their seniority, were encouraged to understand radiation and would participate in the in-house training. SSI also valued international collaboration,
Jack was one of the guest editors for the JRP Special Issue on Medical Management after High-Dose Radiation Exposures
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