The 2025 edition of the IRPS was held in person at Stockholm University, Sweden, from 11-15 August 2025, in co-operation with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and the Centre for Radiation Protection Research (CRPR) of Stockholm University. This was the second school organised under the multi-year agreement between the NEA, SSM and Stockholm University.

The programme of the IRPS 2025 was designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the international radiological protection (RP) system: how it is intended to be interpreted for application in diverse and emerging circumstances, and how it evolves based on new scientific knowledge and lessons learnt. The school was driven by the same spirit of knowledge transfer as previous editions, aiming to prepare tomorrow's leading experts in radiological protection by learning from today's experts. Comprehensive lectures and illustrative interactive case studies were delivered by renowned experts in the multidisciplinary field of radiological protection.

The IRPS programme had evolved over the last editions to address developments in radiological protection recommendations, standards, and related implementation and practices. The following subjects were covered during the five-day programme:

• The foundation of the international RP framework: understanding the three fundamental principles - justification, optimisation, dose limitation; the three pillars - science, ethics and experience; and key concepts, units and tools; as well as exploring the RP system: past, present, and future;
• Building a system of protection around exposure situations: understanding the articulation of science, international policy and standards.
• Evolving issues: ethics, RP of the environment, stakeholder involvement and public communication.
• State-of-the-art of the RP underlying sciences: exposure to ionising radiation and dosimetry, radiobiology, epidemiology, social sciences.

Sessions were built on a mix of presentations and illustrative case study discussions to introduce practical aspects of the implementation of RP actions. Other aspects such as stakeholder engagement skills were deliberated as an undercurrent of the more technical aspects of these topics.

The programme for the 2025 edition is available for download.

Teaching methods

 The teaching for each module was practical, dynamic and interactive. Talks and presentations from radiological protection experts were accompanied by case-based discussions and group exercises. Participants also had the opportunity to address relevant soft skills.

 Lecturers took into account the participants' own experiences to keep discussions directly relevant to their situation and concerns insofar as   possible.

Language

  All course instruction, course materials and discussions were in English.

Requirements

  Candidates had to meet the following two minimum requirements:

1. Proficiency in English (B2 or equivalent), particularly oral communication, which was essential for effective participation in the programme;
2. Relevant professional work experience in the radiological protection field.

Pre-work

  Participants were requested to study the learning material provided on the IRPS online platform and to be familiar with a small set of reference documents before the course. Details were sent in due time to participants, together with reference readings.

Certificate

  Upon completion of the programme, participants received a certificate of attendance.

All participants had access to an online platform with diverse learning materials to prepare prior to the school. This platform was open to admitted participants.

Approaching its seventh anniversary, the IRPS had already offered a distinctive educational opportunity to over 200 young or mid-career professionals and graduate students from around the world across five editions.