2011 lectures on Radiation and Reason

Email  to arrange one

19 Jan 2011 Physics Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, colloquium
31 Jan 2011 Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Manchester, lecture
7 Mar 2011, 6pm "Radiation and reason: a welcome for a nuclear future"  Open free public lecture in Oxford, details. To book contact schools.liaison..21 Mar 2011 at Wallingford Cafe Scientifique, public discussion

19 Apr  2011 at Launceston Cafe Scientifique, public discussion

3 May 2011 at Cardiff Cafe Scientifique, public discussion
9 May 2011 at Nottingham Cafe Scientifique, public discussion
tba                at Exeter Cafe Scientifique,  public discussion

25 May 2011 Physics Dept., University of Manchester, seminar
6 June 2011 at Leeds Cafe Scientifique, public duscussion

7 June 2011 at Headingley Cafe Scientifique, Leeds, public discussion

5 Sept 2011 Royal Society of Edinburgh, lecture "Radiation and Reason: straight and open thinking about choosing nuclear"

For more than 60 years it has been accepted that radiation, that is nuclear radiation, is quite exceptionally dangerous. In this lecture this question is re-examined and the answer is shown to be rather unexpected. This will be explained in simple terms using incontrovertible evidence. In the light of such fresh understanding nuclear technology may be welcomed and used carefully to benefit the environment for the future without fear or excessive cost.

12 Dec 2011 British Institute of Radiology, London, lecture

To request a lecture email. here

"Radiation and Reason" The book and lectures in 2010

In 2010 many visitors to the Radiation and Reason websitedownloaded sample chapters of the book from there or bought a copy direct from the distributors. It has also been available worldwide from Australia via eBay. Bookshops can get it if they make the effort and it is available from Amazon.

During the year I gave about 25 lectures, radio interviews and published articles - including 8 in Australia. The lectures, both public and academic, were well attended and the audiences were eager to ask questions. The truth is that most people know little about radiation and nuclear, and they are genuinely interested to hear for themselves about the benefits that these can bring to health and the environment. Further lectures have been arranged for 2011. Invitations to lecture (general interest, academic or schools) in the UK or abroad are always welcome - just email wade.allison@physics.ox.ac.uk  and I will get back to you.

An early review of the book by Simon Jenkins called it "sensational". A less positive one came a day or two later from Alok Jha who admitted to me in a prior interview that he had not read the book! He was concerned to be balanced in his reporting, and therefore asked the opinion of several other people (who had not read the book either). So much for journalist's "balance". But since then many have read it and published positive reviews, including Amazon customers (to date, 100% at 5-star - on the .uk site, the .fr site or the .com site). A hostile review in Physics World (October 2010) showed that a few professional toes have been trodden on -- that review relied on fabricated quotes, subsequently withdrawn by the editors (December 2010), and was the subject of some sharp correspondence from others in the letter column. The effect of radiation on life is not that hard to understand and it is far too important to be left exclusively in the hands of professionals. It is not surprising that a few of these should feel threatened by a move toward some genuine understanding among the wider population -- and that's what the book is keen to promote.

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Introduction

A clear and positive scientific account of the effect of radiation on life

For more than half a century the view that radiation represents an extreme hazard has been accepted. This book challenges that view by facing the question How dangerous is ionising radiation? Briefly the answer is that radiation is about a thousand times less hazardous than suggested by current safety standards.
For many this will come as a surprise and then quickly raise a second question Why are people so worried about radiation? This is the out-of-date result of Cold War politics combined with a concern about radiation that was appropriate in an earlier age when the scientific understanding was limited.
In the book these answers are explained in accessible language and related directly to modern scientific evidence and understanding, for instance the high levels of radiation used to the benefit of health in every major hospital.