SPERA2026

14 - 17 Sep 2026

Research School of Physics, Australian National University

Canberra, Australia

18th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference

(SPERA2026)

In 2026 we are excited to host the 18th international SPERA conference (SPERA2026) in Canberra, Australia. The conference will be hosted by the Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications, at the Research School of Physics, Australian National University.

The primary objective of SPERA is “to provide a forum to encourage and facilitate communication among scientists from different disciplines and organisations from the South Pacific region, and countries world-wide in the field of environmental radioactivity”. This includes but is not limited to “the study of the occurrence, behaviour and impact of radioactive species present in the environment owing to either natural processes or resulting from human activities”.

We would like to welcome professional scientists and researchers involved in any aspect of environmental radioactivity study to attend SPERA2026, to be held from 14 – 17 September 2026 on the ANU campus in Canberra.

SPERA2026 will provide a forum to build cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary links and reflect on the ways our research community can support international and national priorities. The scientific program will focus on the following topics:

* Radioecology * Impacts (dose related) * Method Development and Instrumentation

* Radioactive Waste Management * Legacy Contamination * Remediation of Contaminated Sites

          

* Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) * Mining and Nuclear Industry * Society and Communication

* Applications in Aquatic Environments * Modelling * Applications and New Endeavours


The program will include invited and contributed speakers from each topic, and we encourage contributions from students and early career scientists.

 

Important: Please note that ALL travellers to Australia MUST have a valid VISA before arriving in Australia. Please see the About page for more information and News for any announcements.

 

Please register your interest in attending SPERA2026 via email to the conference secretary. Any enquires and questions about the SPERA2026 Conference can also be directed to the conference secretary.

The Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications of the Australian National University (ANU) is excited to welcome the international scientific community at the 18th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference - SPERA2026.

The Conference will be held from 14 – 17 September 2026 on the ANU campus in Canberra, Australia.

The primary objective of SPERA is “to provide a forum to encourage and facilitate communication among scientists from different disciplines and organisations from the South Pacific region, and countries world-wide in the field of environmental radioactivity”. This includes but is not limited to “the study of the occurrence, behaviour and impact of radioactive species present in the environment owing to either natural processes or resulting from human activities”.

We would like to welcome professional scientists, researchers and students involved in any aspect of environmental radioactivity study from different disciplines and organisations from the South Pacific region, and countries world-wide in the field of environmental radioactivity.

The scientific program will focus on the following topics:

  • Applications and New Endeavours
  • Applications in Aquatic Environments
  • Impacts (dose related)
  • Legacy Contamination
  • Method Development and Instrumentation
  • Mining and Nuclear Industry
  • Modelling
  • Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)
  • Radioecology
  • Radioactive Waste Management
  • Remediation of Contaminated Sites
  • Society and Communication

An optional add-on specialised workshop will follow on Friday, 18 September: From Atoms to Applications: A Hands‑on Workshop in Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

Discover how Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) unlocks ultra‑trace measurements for environmental and radiological research. This one‑day workshop combines lectures about fundamental principles with presentations about real‑world applications and practical training in water and soil sampling on site. In addition, there would be an opportunity to gain greater insight into the details of AMS measurement techniques at the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility.

Important: Please note that ALL travellers to Australia MUST have a valid VISA before arriving in Australia.

Please see the About page for more information and News for any announcements.

Please register your interest in attending SPERA2026 via email to the conference secretary.

Any enquires and questions about the SPERA2026 Conference can also be directed to the conference secretary.