A Brief History of SGR

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) is a UK-based organisation which was formed in 1992 from the merger of Scientists Against Nuclear Arms (SANA), Electronics and Computing for Peace (ECP) and Psychologists for Peace (PfP). These organisations had originally been set up to campaign to reduce the widespread use of science and technology for military purposes: in particular, they sought elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

However, with the break-up of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, together with the growing realisation of the threat of climate change, the organisations decided to merge and widen their focus. A general concern about the misuse of science and technology in threatening human life and the wider environment became the organisation's central aim.

Since 1992, SGR has been involved in a range of activities, the main ones being:

'Science for the Earth' conferences (1992-1996) A series of forums exploring the potential benefits and harm that science has visited upon the earth.
'The Climate Train' (1997-1998) A group of scientists and activists travelled over land and sea from Europe to lobby the UN Climate Convention negotiations in Kyoto during November/December 1997. Afterwards, a report was produced on the journey and the issues surrounding it.
Ethical Careers in Science and Technology Programme (1999 onwards) An ongoing series of publications and other information, outlining the current ethical controversies in science and technology, and giving advice on how to incorporate an ethical perspective into choosing a career in science and technology.
Military influence on science and technology programme (2003 onwards) An ongoing research and education project, whose main publication is the Soldiers in the Laboratory report (PDF, 559KB).

SGR has also organised regular conferences (every year or so) on controversial issues in science and technology, and produced a regular newsletter and a number of publications. SGR works across five main areas: arms and arms control; climate change and energy; science policy; GM issues; and population, consumption and values and we have lobbied on these issues, including replying to UK government consultations and making submissions to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology.

In October 2005, Architects and Engineers for Social Responsibility (AESR) – another UK-based organisation which works on many of the same issues – joined the SGR family.


Send correspondence about the web-site to webmanager@sgr.org.uk This page last updated: 15th February 2006 © SGR 1997-2006