Most ICRP Task Group (TG) members, including mentees, are selected from among applicants to an open call. This is usually a highly competitive process, with many more applicants than available positions. This guidance helps ensure a consistent approach to the selection of TG members.
The first criteria for selection of TG members must be their ability to contribute to the work based on their expertise, experience, communication skills, availability, and dedication to the task.
ICRP benefits from a diverse global membership. Given similar qualifications, candidates from under-represented regions of the world (e.g., Africa, Caribbean, Central/South America, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania) are preferred.
ICRP benefits from gender diversity. As a substantial majority of current members are male, given similar qualifications, female and non-binary candidates are preferred.
ICRP benefits from new and younger members. Consideration should be given to including younger and less well-known candidates. Knowledge of ICRP work is essential, but prior experience working with ICRP is not a requirement.
ICRP benefits from the important role of Committees in oversight and quality control of TG work.Very few (much less than half) of the members of a TG should be Committee members. At least one TG member (not necessarily, but often, the Chair) must be a member of the Main Commission or a Committee. It is generally good practice for the TG Chair or Vice-Chair to be a member of the responsible Committee.
TG membership should have a reasonable geographic mix and gender diversity, not have too many people from a country/region, and only exceptionally have more than one member from the same institute.
TGs usually consist of about 10-15 members depending on the nature of the expertise needed and work to be undertaken. This is a typical range, not a minimum and maximum.
Although the top priority of a TG is to fulfil the mandate specified in its Terms of Reference, TGs are also a way to bring new members into ICRP and can be a proving ground for possible future Committee membership.