Published on the 21st July 2025 by ANSTO Staff
The Australian Government has announced that Dr Karina Meredith, Director of the Environment Research and Technology Group within ANSTO has been appointed to the newly established United Nations (UN) Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War. Dr Meredith was nominated by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, a reflection of her outstanding scientific credentials.
ANSTO CEO Shaun Jenkinson said the prestigious appointment reinforced ANSTO’s global standing as a centre of excellence in nuclear science and technology, and a key contributor to technical cooperation efforts through international nuclear forums.
The creation of this panel follows the adoption of a UN General Assembly Resolution in December 2024, which called for the establishment of a group of globally recognised scientists to assess the short, medium, and long-term consequences of nuclear war.
The panel will investigate a wide range of potential effects spanning radiological, environmental, climatic, agricultural, public health, and socio-economic impacts, through a scientifically rigorous and independent lens.
Dr Meredith’s appointment positions Australia at the forefront of international efforts to better understand and prevent the devastating consequences of nuclear conflict.
With a wealth of environmental science experience, including expertise in hydrochemistry, hydrogeology and environmental site investigations, her research has significantly advanced knowledge in the sustainable management of water resources using nuclear techniques. She has worked in both national and international contexts, including on projects supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and has contributed to regional capacity building in environmental science.
Her current role at ANSTO involves leading multidisciplinary research in areas such as groundwater sustainability, environmental change, and climate resilience. Dr Meredith has also played a key role in facilitating Australia's international scientific collaborations, including across the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the Australia's reputation as a responsible contributor to peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
The Scientific Panel will deliver its findings in a comprehensive report to the UN General Assembly by October 2027, offering the global community an evidence-based assessment of the real-world impacts of nuclear war. Its work is expected to inform future multilateral disarmament efforts, strengthen global risk awareness, and guide both policy and civil preparedness.
For more information about the panel and its mandate, see the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.
