Lifting the Lid on Radiation Risks

Radioactive rain or medical miracle - what's the truth about radiation? The following films were made when visitors to the Dana Centre had the opportunity to quiz scientists and risk experts over the value and safety of nuclear technologies.

Lively debate was led by Keith Baverstock, formerly senior radiation adviser to the World Health Organization and recently to the UK government’s Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, alongside Mike Partridge from the Department of Physics at the Institute of Cancer Research & Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Sadly, at short notice, guest speakers Brian Wynne and Julian Rush were unable to attend the event.

This event was held in collaboration with The British Society for the History of Science (BSHS).

Videos

Before the event, facilitator Alice Nicholls meets Keith and Mike to ask why scientists disagree about risk, and what impact this has on the public’s perception of radiation.

Alice Nicholls introduces the event and asks the guest speakers to briefly explain their interest and position in the debates.

Should scientists tell us everything they know about radiation risks? Should the media report everything scientists tell them about radiation risks? A visitor responds.

This visitor voted yes, scientists should tell us everything they know about radiation risks, and describes what he wanted to discover from the event.

A third visitor voted no, scientists shouldn’t tell us everything they know about radiation risks because of the changing nature of how we perceive risks.

Curator Alison Boyle discusses the history and use of a 1950s X-ray machine for fitting shoes, one of four talking points used in the event.

Mike Partridge reflects on the issues raised during the event, and the benefits of having time to discuss them.

Keith Baverstock responds to the question, ‘Was there anything that you found surprising in the discussions that you had?’ and remarks on the visitors’ motivation, interest and knowledge.