Sarah, Tom and Will, recently represented SGA at the AURPO Annual Conference 2026, joining radiation protection professionals from across the UK to discuss regulatory developments, emerging technologies and practical challenges facing the industry.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to hear directly from regulators, industry experts and fellow practitioners, while strengthening connections within the wider radiation protection community. Sessions covered a diverse range of topics spanning healthcare, academia, nuclear applications, environmental remediation and technological innovation.
One of the most valuable elements of the conference was the series of regulator updates. These presentations provided useful insight into current regulatory priorities, developments in permitting and compliance expectations, and the direction of future regulatory activity. As radiation protection consultants, maintaining a clear understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape is essential to ensuring we continue to provide practical and effective advice to our clients.
The Contingency Planning Workshop on the final day was also a highlight. Through interactive discussions and scenario-based exercises, delegates explored what makes an effective contingency plan and how organisations can strengthen their preparedness for radiological incidents. The workshop encouraged participants to consider realistic situations and identify actions that could improve resilience and compliance. These lessons are highly relevant to SGA’s ongoing work supporting clients with emergency planning and radiation protection arrangements.
For Tom, one of the most interesting presentations was The Impact of Emerging Technologies in the Field of Radiation Protection. The session explored how advances in technology are influencing the way radiation protection professionals work and highlighted opportunities to improve monitoring, data management and decision-making processes. Discussions on artificial intelligence and its potential applications within radiation detection and dosimetry offered an exciting glimpse into the future of the profession.
The conference also provided valuable perspective on the wider radiation protection community through presentations on Dalgety Bay Remediation and NORM in the Oil and Gas Industry. While these areas sit outside our day-to-day consultancy activities, the talks offered useful insight into the diverse challenges faced across the sector. Understanding how radiation protection principles are applied in environmental remediation projects and naturally occurring radioactive material management helps place our own work within the broader context of the profession.
A particular highlight of the event came during the AURPO Annual Dinner, where two members of the SGA team were recognised for their achievements. Tom was received the AURPO Early Careers Professional Award, recognising his contribution to the profession and commitment to professional development. Will was presented with the AURPO Professional Development Award, acknowledging his dedication to advancing both his own expertise and the wider radiation protection community. It was a proud moment for the team and a reflection of the high standards of professionalism and technical excellence that SGA strives to maintain.
Overall, the conference was an informative and worthwhile event. It reinforced the importance of continuing professional development, provided valuable regulatory updates, and showcased the innovation and expertise that exists across the radiation protection field. SGA looks forward to applying the knowledge gained to further enhance the support and services we provide to our clients.
