David Copplestone

I have over 20 years experience studying the behaviour, effects and fate of radionuclides in the environment and have 50 refereed papers as well as over 100 other publications. I have applied genetic and molecular techniques to understand the impacts of radiation on wildlife.

I have led the development of the Environment Agency’s approach to wildlife risk assessment from ionising radiation and am a member of the ICRP’s Committee 5 which is responsible for developing the ICRP framework for environmental protection.

Additionally, I am also: the chair of the International Union of Radioecology Task Group on Radiological Protection of the Environment; a member of the core group which has drafted an IAEA handbook on radionuclide transfer parameters to wildlife; and Secretary to the UK’s Co-ordinating Group on Environmental Radioactivity. I have also developed an internationally recognised database on biological effects of ionising radiation on wildlife.

Research Interests:
My research interests span radiological risk assessment for humans and wildlife, radioactive waste management and disposal, and assessment of the nuclear fuel cycle.

I have provided technical expert input to national and international committees (e.g. OSPAR on behalf of DECC and Defra; IAEA Action Plan on Environmental Protection on behalf of UK; cross government department review of the revision of (International and European) Basic Safety Standards for radiological protection on behalf of the Environment Agency.