SGR Conferences
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) organises a conference roughly once a year on issues of concern related to science, design and technology. Keynote speakers are leading researchers/commentators in their field, and the event also includes SGR's Annual General Meeting, together with poster sessions or workshops.
This section of the website includes details of the current/forthcoming conference, together with reports of previous conferences. Links to conference presentations and related material are provided where available.
SGR members gathered for the organisation’s 20th anniversary AGM and strategy forum in London in May. Over 30 people attended, including long-standing members (some of whom had first been active with either Scientists Against Nuclear Arms or Architects and Engineers for Social Responsibility) as well as recent joiners.
The SGR Conference and AGM 2011 was held at the Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK on 21st May. Presentations included: Geo-engineering the Climate, Prof Joanna Haigh, Imperial College London; Robots on the Battlefield: Ethical and Humanitarian Implications, Prof Noel Sharkey, Sheffield University; Emerging Technologies and Risk: the Social, Cultural and Political Dimensions, Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski, Lancaster University.
Eight posters were presented in the afternoon session. A summary, Powerpoint presentations, and newsletter articles are available from this event.
SGR Conference and AGM 2009
Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK; 24 October
Presentations:
- The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan - Where are we going?
Dr Tim Foxon, Sustainability Research Institute, Leeds University/ SGR - Arms conversion for a low carbon economy
Prof David Webb, Praxis Centre, Leeds Metropolitan University - A trade union programme for the creation of one million climate-change jobs
Dr Gareth Dale, Brunel University
Eight posters were presented in the afternoon session.
Summary by Kate Macintosh and Stuart Parkinson
SGR Conference and AGM 2008
Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK; 25 October
Presentations:
- Social Housing: From Paternalism to Cooperatives
Kate Macintosh MBE, Vice Chair, SGR - Making Sustainable Building and Places
Prof Sandy Halliday, Gaia Research
Ten posters were presented in the afternoon session.
Summary by Alasdair Beal
SGR Conference and AGM 2007
University of London Union, UK; 6 October
Main presentations:
'Climate change and conflict' by Dan Smith, Secretary-General, International Alert
'Energy, peak oil and conflict' by Dr Mandy Meikle, Depletion Scotland
Workshops: Water and conflict - past, present and future; Using less in our homes; Volunteering for SGR
Summarised by Stuart Parkinson, Martin Quick, Tim Foxon, Sean Macintosh
Around 50 attendees gathered in London for the SGR Conference and AGM 2006. Dr Stuart Parkinson, the Executive Director of SGR, gave the customary welcome to start the day’s proceedings. He explained that, as the title suggested, the aim of the day was to focus on some of the ways in which scientists, architects, engineers and technologists are making positive contributions to the World.
SGR/AESR Conference and AGMs 2005
Friends Meeting House, London; 22 October 2005
Main presentations:
'From Space Weapons to Basic Human Needs – Technology and the Security Agenda' by Prof David Webb, Leeds Metropolitan University
'Nuclear Power – They Can’t Be Serious!' by Prof Mark Whitby, Whitbybird Ltd
'The Role of Solar Electricity in Sustainable Building' by Prof Keith Barnham, Imperial College, London
Summary by Patrick Nicholson
On 19th January 2005, SGR launched its groundbreaking new report 'Soldiers in the Laboratory: Military involvement in science and technology - and some alternatives' at the Houses of Parliament. We assembled some eminent speakers for the event: Ian Gibson (Chair, House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology) and Steven Rose (Professor of Biology, Open University), as well as report author, Chris Langley.
SGR Conference and AGM, 2004
University of London Union; 15 May 2004
Main presentations:
'Eco-efficiency of Quality of Life, not Economic Activity' by Roger Levett, Levett-Therivel Sustainability Consultants
'Sustainable Consumption, Eco-Taxation and Social Justice' by Dr Simon Dresner, Policy Studies Institute
Workshops: The link between unsustainable consumption and conflict; Overcoming the barriers to sustainable energy use; The role of new technologies in the transition to a sustainable world; Moving to a sustainable food system
Summary by Patrick Nicholson
The SGR Conference and AGM 2003 took place at the Friends Meeting House, London; 13 September 2003. Presentations included:'The Risk of Nuclear Terrorism' by Dr Frank Barnaby, Oxford Research Group; and 'An End to the UK's Nuclear Weapons' by Prof John Finney, British Pugwash Group/ University College London