Development of an environmental radiation analysis research capability in the UAE

•New university environmental radiation laboratory established in UAE.•Facilities included for alpha, beta and gamma radiometrics.•Transport modeling capability is being established.•Laboratory also used for education and training.•Robotic methods for sampling and analysis are under development.

The UAE has started a nuclear energy program with the aim of having its first four units on-line between 2017 and 2020 and it is important that the country has an environmental radiation analysis capability to support this program. Khalifa University is therefore implementing a research laboratory to support both experimental analysis and radionuclide transport modeling in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. This paper outlines the development of this capability as well as the work in progress and planned for the future.