Words by Professor Dave Joss, School of Physical Sciences and Louise Nicholson, Radiation Protection Office.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Professor Pete Cole, from the University Radiation Protection Office, who has passed away after a short illness.
Pete was a respected authority in the field of radiation protection and made a huge positive impact. After growing up on the Isle of Man, Pete studied Physics at the University of Manchester, earning a first-class honours degree and stayed at Manchester to complete a PhD in Nuclear Physics. Upon graduating he joined the University of Oxford as a research fellow in the group of Sir George Radda working on developing magnetic resonance imaging techniques and associated technology.
Pete started working in the field of Radiation Protection in 1992 where he worked at Integrated Radiological Services before joining the University of Liverpool in 2000. Pete was appointed as the Radiation, Radioactive Waste and Laser Protection Advisor for the University. Throughout his 24 years at the University he provided advice, help and support to numerous departments and colleagues with his characteristic enthusiasm and irreverent sense of humour. He acted as a mentor to many of his colleagues, to whom his vast experience and knowledge was invaluable. Pete always had a story to tell and could liven up any occasion with one of his many anecdotes.
In addition to his work at the University, Pete was an excellent ambassador for the international radiation protection community. He was an active member of the Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO) eventually becoming the President of both organisations. Pete has the distinction of being the only person to have served as President of both organisations. Pete served on several of the SRP’s committees including the strategic planning committee. He was chair of the Professional Accreditation Working Group, which eventually led to the formation of the Radiation Protection Council, which is the UK’s registration authority for the radiation protection profession and sets accreditation standards.
Pete was passionate about radiation protection as a career. Pete was a founder member of the SRP’s Outreach Committee and participated in many outreach activities for school-age students. He was an enthusiastic teacher and mentor, providing essential radiation and laser safety training for staff and students at the University, often encouraging students with an interest to pursue a career in radiation protection and join the Society for Radiological Protection. He was always keen to encourage early-career professionals and took an active role in setting up the SRP mentoring scheme. He was also keen to recognise new talent in the field and established awards for early career professions with AURPO, the UK Young Professionals Award for radiation protection for the SRP and served as a judge on the International Radiation Protection Association’s Young Scientist and Professional Award at three IRPA congresses.
Pete continued to publish research and practice-based work throughout his career. He co-authored the IRPA’s ‘Practical Guidance for Engagement with the Public on Radiation and Risk’ He was the co-author of a critically acclaimed textbook ‘An Introduction to Radiation Protection’ with Alan Martin, Sam Harbison and Karen Beach. Pete was instrumental in establishing fruitful collaborations between colleagues within the university and the wider nuclear sector. Pete effectively matched the University’s expertise in nuclear physics and radiochemistry to help meet the training needs of industrial partners in a series of continuing professional development courses. These ongoing knowledge exchange activities have led to several research collaborations.
Pete’s many achievements were recognised by the University of Liverpool by the award of a Professorship. Pete was very well known and highly respected within the radiation protection community and was hugely proud to be awarded Life Membership of AURPO in September 2024, in recognition of his contribution to the organisation.
Outside work, Pete was very creative and enjoyed writing and painting. Although, his life is marked by many achievements, he will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Pete’s funeral will take place at 12pm on Thursday, 14 November, at St Mary’s Church, Woolton, L25 5JF, followed by the Liverpool Naval Club, 38 Bowring Park Road, Liverpool, L14 3NN. In lieu of flowers, Pete’s family have requested donations to the Lymphoma Action charity.