The primary objective of the International Radiation Physics Society (IRPS) is to promote the global exchange and integration of scientific information pertaining to the interdisciplinary subject of radiation physics, including the promotion of

(i)     theoretical and experimental research in radiation physics,
(ii)    investigation of physical aspects of interactions of radiations with living systems,
(iii)   education in radiation physics, and
(iv)   utilization of radiations for peaceful purposes.

The Constitution of the IRPS defines Radiation Physics as "the branch of science which deals with the physical aspects of interactions of radiations (both electromagnetic and particulate) with matter." It thus differs in emphasis both from atomic and nuclear physics and from radiation biology and medicine, instead focusing on the radiations.

The International Radiation Physics Society (IRPS) was founded in 1985 in Ferrara, Italy at the 3rd International Symposium on Radiation Physics (ISRP-3, 1985), following Symposia in Calcutta, India (ISRP-1, 1974) and in Penang, Malaysia (ISRP-2, 1982). Further Symposia have been held in

Sao Paulo, Brazil   -  ISRP-4, 1988
Dubrovnik, Croatia   -  ISRP-5, 1991
Rabat, Morocco   -  1SRP-6, 1994
Jaipur, India   -  ISRP-7, 1997
Prague, Czech Republic   -  ISRP-8, 2000
Cape Town, South Africa  -  ISRP-9, 2003
Coimbra, Portugal - ISRP-10, 2006
Melbourne, Australia - ISRP-11, 2009

The next Symposium will be in Salvador (Bahia), Brazil in 2012

The IRPS also sponsors regional Radiation Physics Symposia.

A newsletter, IRPS Bulletin, is published quarterly and sent to all IRPS members.