“Our aim is for the research to make a tangible difference for both people and society. We want to link laboratory resources and expertise to real-world needs,” says Lars E. Olsson, Professor of Medical Radiation Physics and Head of Research at the Department of Translational Medicine (ITM).
Research with societal relevance
The research group studies how radiation affects humans in both everyday situations and crisis scenarios, including cancer risks from radiological accidents, malicious acts, and emerging nuclear technologies. Laboratories for low-level activity measurements and analysis of human samples make it possible to determine radiation doses in exposed children and adults – a unique resource that strengthens national preparedness.
“It is not only about measuring radiation, but about understanding its consequences for public health,” says Christopher Rääf, Professor of Medical Radiation Physics and expert adviser to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.
Interdisciplinary collaboration and shared research infrastructure
The research is conducted in close collaboration with the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University (LTH), as well as social scientists and economists who contribute analyses of risk and risk communication to the public.
Research groups, laboratories and infrastructure are brought together within a shared research platform in Malmö. Christopher Rääf and Christian Bernhardsson, both affiliated with ITM, are responsible for research focus, methodological development and radiation protection activities within the group.
Practical applications for healthcare and society
Among other outputs, the research includes the development of prototype emergency dosimeters for rapid use in radiological incidents. Experiences from Fukushima and Chernobyl show that access to personal measurements can increase individuals’ understanding of risk and contribute to a greater sense of safety.
“We work with radiation protection issues that affect people’s everyday lives, including situations outside healthcare settings. One growing research area is citizen science, where members of the public are given methods to assess and understand their own radiation risks,” says Christian Bernhardsson, Associate Professor of Medical Radiation Physics.
Ongoing projects include the EU-funded PIANOFORTE programme, research environments funded by the Swedish Research Council focusing on new nuclear technology, preparedness projects funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, and national expert support to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority. Early results include long-term monitoring of radioactivity, development of emergency dosimeter prototypes, and mapping of environmental risks at ESS and at nuclear reactors in Belarus.
Malmö as a national centre of expertise
The Medical Faculty in Malmö is developing into a national centre for environmental radiology, radiation protection, radiological total defence and nuclear emergency preparedness in southern Sweden. The research environment provides expert support to healthcare services, authorities and society, and contributes to Lund University’s strategic priorities in international collaboration and clinically oriented research.
