Science Week 2024 Profiles - Anna Bedford
As National Science Week 2024 continues, the EPA are putting a spotlight on some of our high achieving scientists. Our team members make a difference to our environment through assessment and regulation of pollution, waste, noise, and radiation.
Anna Bedford is Radiation Lead working in the EPA’s Mining and Radiation Branch.
- How long have you worked at the EPA? 5 years this November.
- Why did you want to work in the science field? I wanted to be involved in practical real-world solutions to the problems we encounter as a society. I wanted to make a difference and like how science satisfies my curiosity yet also allows me to engage with people from all walks of life. I love learning, discovering and sharing that knowledge to benefit others.
- What is a typical day in your role? With my team we review current practices regarding radiation apparatus, assess best practice elsewhere in the world and come up with solutions and plans to implement efficiencies and improvements in the Radiation Branch. In a typical day I will review scientific documents, meet with other experts in my Branch and externally to the EPA, and chart a way forward by implementing new initiatives. I create documents to assist us in the team but also externally for licensees that educate them on what they need to do to make themselves and others safe when it comes to using radiation apparatus.
- How is your work making a difference to the state? We are ensuring that radiation sources, which have lots of benefits in medical industrial, scientific and mining industries, are used safely.
- What advice would you offer someone who is interested in a career in science? Follow your interest but also follow what is of interest to society as a whole. Lots of things can be interesting but there are some solutions that are really needed to benefit humankind. Just start and don't be intimidated by all the things you don't know. Learning is lifelong and more knowledge can always be added to as you go along.
