Sannah van Balen is studying for a PhD in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Cambridge. She was awarded funding by SRP to attend ICRP’ s 8th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection, held in Abu Dhabi in October 2025.

Thanks to the generosity of SRP, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the ICRP Symposium in Abu Dhabi. The event, coorganised by the International Commission on Radiological Protection( ICRP) and the UAE ' s regulatory authority( FANR), brought together over 500 experts, scientists and policymakers from 53 countries to explore the theme“ Advancing Radiological Protection: Innovation, Integrity and Sustainability”. The three days were filled with over 120 presentations and discussions exploring radiological protection and its scientific, ethical, and practical foundations, including medical applications, the role of artificial intelligence, environmental protection, and innovative applications.

Principle, highlighting the importance of clear language and shared understanding in radiological protection. I was honoured to receive the Cousins Award for my presentation.

Sannah van Balen Winner, Cousins Award 2025 The Cousins Award was established by former ICRP Chair Dr Claire Cousins on her retirement from ICRP. It is a prestigious award presented by ICRP to recognise the best presentation by a young scientist or professional at an ICRP International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection. Eligibility is restricted to those within five years of having been awarded a postgraduate degree.

The 2025 Cousins Award was awarded to Sannah van Balen for her presentation titled“ Language in the System – a ' Telephone Game ' Effect?” at the ICRP2025 symposium. This award highlights the future of radiological protection and the dedication of the next generation of radiation protection leaders.

On the first day, I presented my talk,“ Language in the System: A Telephone Game Effect?”, as one of four finalists for the Cousins Award. My PhD research looks at how ICRP recommendations can evolve as they are interpreted into national legislation and local practice. In this presentation, I shared research findings on the relationship between Prudence, as an ethical value within the ICRP System, and the Precautionary

Throughout the Symposium, there was much discussion about the ongoing review of the System of Radiological Protection, particularly around clarity, consistency, and applicability in the next set of recommendations. Many sessions, therefore, looked at practical applications of the System, from applying the principles of optimisation and justification to managing NORM and the interaction with sustainability. A noteworthy new article, the ICRP Memorandum: Essentials of the System of Radiological Protection, was released in September in SRP ' s Journal of Radiological Protection. It offers a clear and approachable overview of how the system operates and is well worth a read.

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