Uncertainty quantification for problems in radionuclide transport

The field of radionuclide transport has long recognised the stochastic nature of the problems encountered. Many parameters that are used in computational models are very difficult, if not impossible, to measure with any great degree of confidence. For example, bedrock properties can only be measured at a few discrete points, the properties between these points may be inferred or estimated using experiments but it is difficult to achieve any high levels of confidence. This is a major problem when many countries around the world are considering deep geologic repositories as a disposal option for long-lived nuclear waste but require a high degree of confidence that any release of radioactive material will not pose a risk to future populations. In this thesis we apply Polynomial Chaos methods to a model of the biosphere that is similar to those used to assess exposure pathways for humans and associated dose rates by many countries worldwide. We also apply the Spectral-Stochastic Finite Element Method to the problem of contaminated fluid flow in a porous medium. For this problem we use the Multi-Element generalized Polynomial Chaos method to discretise the random dimensions in a manner similar to the well known Finite Element Method. The stochastic discretisation is then refined adaptively to mitigate the build up errors over the solution times. It was found that these methods have the potential to provide much improved estimates for radionuclide transport problems. However, further development is needed in order to obtain the necessary efficiency that would be required to solve industrial problems

Girls’ Development in Tanzania: Empowering Girls Through Creative Exploration

In 2009, we went to a remote Tanzanian island to lead a program for adolescent girls. The purpose of the program was to educate girls on their rights and provide them with support in overcoming many of the disparities they face. Theatre of the Oppressed (Boal, 1979), one tool used, was adapted to fit the girls’ needs. It proved to be useful across cultural and language barriers. Programs such as this that empower girls to value themselves and discover solutions to challenges is one way to begin bringing gender equality to the community level. Herein, we discuss the program and lessons learned as graduate students from the West working in a developing country