SPERA 2014 13th Spera Conference South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association 1-4 September 2014 Darwin, Australia
KEY DATES 1 st announcement 2 nd announcement, themes & fees Call for abstracts Open registration Deadline for abstract submission Deadline for early bird registration Notification of acceptance of papers Deadline for registration Final program May 2013 October 2013 January 2014 January 2014 April 2014 May 2014 May 2014 July 2014 August 2014 Conference organised by Organising committee Andreas Bollhöfer Vinuthaa Murthy Che Doering Pete Medley Sharon Paulka Peter Waggitt Russel Robinson With thanks to Tourism NT for providing images.
welcome The 13 th biennial conference of the South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association (SPERA) provides a platform for discussion and debate among scientists on the occurrence, behaviour, impact and measurement of radioactive species present in the environment through natural processes, or resulting from human activities. This international conference facilitates knowledge sharing on environmental radioactivity and related topics of local and global significance. Researchers, students and enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the conference and submit an abstract for oral or poster presentation. The last SPERA conference to be held in Darwin was in 1996. On that occasion scientists from Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Chile, Japan and Ireland came together to discuss the measurement of radioactivity in the environment and its applications. Almost 20 years on and environmental radioactivity topics are just as important today as they were back then, with new developments in radioecology and approaches to assess radiation exposure of non-human biota, the Fukushima events in 2011 and the imminent closure and rehabilitation of the largest uranium-producing mine in the region. Darwin s tropical climate provides the ideal setting to discuss environmental radioactivity topics among old and new friends in a relaxed yet informative environment. We look forward to welcoming you to Darwin in 2014. Conference Chair
Time & venue The conference will take place: 1-3 September 2014 at Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia. An optional field trip to Ranger Uranium Mine and a workshop (TBA) to follow on 4 and 5 September 2014. Themes Themes of the 13 th SPERA conference will include: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) Anthropogenic radionuclides Radiological aspects of the rehabilitation of contaminated sites Method development, measurement and monitoring Radionuclides in the atmosphere, surface and groundwater Sedimentation and erosion assessment Radionuclides in the marine environment Radioecology Radiological environmental impact assessment abstracts Abstracts should be submitted by 14 April 2014 and not exceed 500 words. Abstract template available from: /spera_conference_items.php Notification of abstract acceptance is 16 May 2014. Email abstract submissions as MS Word document with subject header SPERA Abstract to: bianca@scarlettevents.com.au best student presentation There will be an award for the best student presentation at the conference to recognize and encourage excellence in graduate studies in the field of environmental radioactivity. best poster A Best Poster award will be presented to acknowledge the quality, originality and significance of the candidate s contributions, and depth of understanding of the research topic and its relationship to the field of environmental radioactivity.
registration Registration Fees Early bird (pay on or before 30 May 2014) $650 Student early bird $450 Full registration (pay after 30 May 2014) $750 Student registration $500 Day earlybird $250 Day registration $275 Field trip (4 September 2014) $TBA Workshop (5 September 2014) $TBA Registration form available January 2014 from: /spera_conference_items.php Field trip and workshop The details and cost for the field trip and workshop will be announced on the spera.org.au website. Registration Includes Registration fees cover the conference dinner, sunset drinks and canapés, and catering during the conference, including a Taste of the Territory. Sunset drinks and canapés will be held Sunday 31 August 2014 at the Darwin Museum 5-7pm Dinner will be held 2 September 2014 at Crocosaurus Cove Croc Park and includes three course meal, drinks and animal handling. student funding AINSE funding will be available for travel costs associated with attending the conference for Australian university students. When registering for the conference please indicate whether you intend to apply for AINSE travel funding.