The 6th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection (ICRP 2021) was scheduled to take place in November 2021, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. ICRP 2021+1 has been rescheduled for November 7 to 10, 2022, and it will be in Canada!

ICRP 2021+1 will be in Vancouver, BC, where it will be hosted by

• the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP),
• the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), and
• the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA).

We interviewed two of the program committee members from CRPA to find out what’s in store for us. Jeff Dovyak, a past-president of CRPA, talks about some of the program elements, while Joe Cortese, a Vancouver local, tells us about his hometown and highlights some activities and attractions to take in while you’re in the city.

 

Interview with Jeff Dovyak (programing)

As a member of the program committee, what do you think attendees have to look forward to at ICRP 2021+1?

Attendees can look forward to hearing diverse solutions (and maybe some problems that aren’t discussed within their nation’s radiation protection community).

What are you, personally, most looking forward to at this event?

I’m looking forward to meeting radiation protection professionals from different countries as I have only previously met with Canadian and, to a lesser extent, American radiation protection professionals.

What topics do you think will generate the most discussion?

I hope all the topics generate a lot of discussion. Given the theme of the Symposium, Radiation Protection – The Next Generation, I hope the Involving Young Professionals session and the student/young scientist paper contests will get a lot of attention.

Is there anything specific you would like to say to encourage the radiation protection community to attend ICRP 2021+1?

Considering this is the first time this kind of ICRP symposium will be held in Canada, I encourage Canadian radiation protection professionals to come to Vancouver to meet with their international peers, and I encourage radiation protection professionals from other countries to attend ICRP2021+1 to meet with their Canadian peers.

Interview with Joe Cortese (local promotion)

What are you, personally, most looking forward to at this event?

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to help organize our next meeting in Vancouver. I can’t wait to host all of my old friends and colleagues in my hometown and to share my favorite city in the world with you. It’s been way too long since we’ve been able to catch up, laugh, learn from each other, and connect with our peers from across the country. With ICRP joining us this year, we also get to mingle with our peers from around the world.

As a member of the program committee, can you tell attendees what they can look forward to at ICRP 2021+1?

The theme for this year’s conference is Radiation Protection – The Next Generation. Moving forward in our careers, improving our current practice, and paving the way for our successors will be a few of the subjects we can take away from this year’s meeting. We have an exciting line up of continuing education sessions scheduled for November 5 and 6. We will also be able to experience some of Vancouver’s beauty this fall.

Typically, there are tours of local facilities organized as part of the annual CRPA conferences. Will there be any tours organized for ICPR 2021+1?

There are tours planned to visit TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre. “Tour participants [will] get first-hand experience with many of TRIUMF’s experiments and facilities as they follow the path of the proton from its origin bound in a hydrogen atom to its destination in targets and detectors.” (TRIUMF.ca)

I’ve experienced this tour first-hand and found it absolutely fascinating. Make sure to register early to secure your spot.

What sort of social events are being organized?

Our Gala Reception is scheduled for Wednesday night (November 9) in the beautiful ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Centre, which boasts breathtaking views of Burrard Inlet against the backdrop of the North Shore Mountains.

If attendees want to explore Vancouver, is there any place you would encourage them to visit?

The conference will be taking place steps from Stanley Park and close to the heart of downtown Vancouver. The location for this event is perfect.

Vancouver offers world-class hiking, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. There will even be an NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks against the Nashville Predators that attendees can take in on November 5.

We have so much to offer during your stay in Vancouver!

What if attendees are travelling with a companion?

The plaining committee is putting together a top-notch companion program for loved ones, so there will be lots of great things for them to do, too.

Any final words?

I’m looking forward to reuniting with everyone and showing off my hometown. See you in November!

 

For more information about ICRP 2021, visit the website.

 

 

Do you want to read more articles like this?

The Bulletin is published by the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA). It’s a must-read publication for radiation protection professionals in Canada. The editorial content delivers the insights, information, advice, and valuable solutions that radiation protection professionals need to stay at the forefront of their profession.

Sign up today and we’ll send you an email each time a new edition goes live. In between issues, check back often for updates and new articles.

Don’t miss an issue. Subscribe now!

Subscribe