Fukushima fallout and eating nuclear imperialism

Join Dr Karly Burch as she examines the impact of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and explores a simple question: What is nuclear pollution? Answers to this question will span from the chemical dimensions of uranium-derived radionuclides to their biological and ecological impacts, their policy implications and, ultimately, their origins: nuclear imperialism.

Drawing on more than a decade’s experience studying food safety governance in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Karly will shed light on connections between nuclear pollution at uranium mines, nuclear bomb detonation sites, nuclear energy disasters, and nuclear waste dumping and storage sites. She will also help you to consider how eating nuclear pollution can be understood as eating nuclear imperialism.

Dr Karly Burch is a lecturer in sociology at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Working in the fields of science and technology studies (STS) and agri-food, she engages in research exploring the material politics of nuclear pollution, artificially intelligent robotics in agriculture and collaborative research for sustainable technofutures. She has spent the past decade studying food safety governance in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Venue Note: The venue will be offering their light snacks menu on the night for Raising the Bar guests. Please order quickly to avoid any wait times.

Host or Publisher Raising the Bar