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Web version of Notes made by Dr Chris Langley, SGR, for the SGR/AESR Conference & AGM, October 2005
Thanks to a great deal of hard work on the part of Stuart Parkinson, members of the National Co-Ordinating Committee and, of course, the invaluable support of Kate Maloney, funding was secured for a dissemination phase for the Report and its various messages. The dissemination period is April 2005 through to the end of February 2006. I'll briefly mention some of the plans which we have, there's more detail in the next SGR Newsletter.
Aims of the dissemination phase are threefold :
Firstly, to bring the Report, its findings and recommendations to a wide cross-section of audiences within science, design, technology and engineering. And also to those in the governance of these areas not least funders and the government.
Secondly, to engage with the various communities comprising science, engineering, design and technology, but also in those in the green, politics, peace and ethics movements to bring to their attention the various issues which are raised in the Report.
Thirdly, and the biggest challenge is to thereby bring about change in the relationship between science, engineering and technology and the support of security and peace, as well as providing the tools for social justice and sustainability.
Dissemination activities comprise FIVE interlinking strands:
Firstly, to provide articles in various journals and the media - examples already include pieces in Nature, Science & Public Affairs, Institute of Physics Newsletter , New Scientist and many others. The Institute of Physics has had some interesting feedback from one of its corporate backers - who is also a major player in the military support of science and engineering.
I've been asked to write for Physics World on newsworthy examples of military use of technology and engineering.
Secondly to make contacts with those working in the media - journalists have approached us regularly to find out more about the SET/military interaction and to provide material for stories. Examples include engineering, electronics and physics magazines and journals.
Thirdly, to give presentations at suitable venues in the UK and Europe - these have included at the Royal Institution and at Pugwash meetings as well as university-based ethical teaching groups, peace/disarmament and green seminars and also at student meetings within the science community.
Fourthly, to facilitate networking with individuals and organisations within science, engineering, design and technology - examples have included the Royal Society, Institute of Physics , Royal Academy of Engineering, EMBO and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. You might be interested to learn that recently I was approached by an analyst at Universities UK who was seeking data on military funding in the university sector
Fifthly, to make contacts within the parliamentary sphere - we've been approached by POST and individual MPs and committees keen to know more about military involvement in science and technology
We have also used the SGR website to great effect in making the Report and our activities known to a wide audience comprising many interested and concerned people, especially in the USA . Obviously there is still a great deal to do but the issue of the military and its involvement with science, engineering, design and technology is now firmly on the agenda.
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Military Influence SectionFor further information contact Dr Chris Langley Send
correspondence about
the web-site to webmanager@sgr.org.uk |
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