SGR Conferences
Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) organises a conference roughly once a year (in the autumn) 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 reports of previous conferences. Links to conference presentations and related material are provided where available.
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
SGR discussion meeting
University of London Union; 10 November 2002
Main presentations:
'Science, Knowledge and the Public Good' by Dr Nicholas Maxwell, University College London
'Introduction to the Convention on Knowledge' by Dr Mae Wan Ho, Director, Insitute of Science in Society
Summary by Patrick Nicholson
Seminar organised by the International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility (INES) in co-operation with SGR and Dept of Peace Studies, Bradford University. This seminar was arranged so that member groups of INES could discuss security issues in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. In particular it was focussed on discussing alternatives to militarisation, including conflict prevention, disarmament and peace in the context of sustainable development.
SGR Conference and AGM 2002
Friends Meeting House, London; 27 April 2002
Main presentation:
'What Does Society Need Science For?' by John Ziman, Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Bristol
Workshops: How Should Science Be Funded?; Biotechnology and the Influence of Vested Interests; Science Communication - should scientists listen more?
SGR Conference and AGM 2001
(Part of a conference organised by Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, and Yorkshire CND)
Leeds University; 4-6 May 2001
Summary by Patrick Nicholson, Philip Webber, Alan Cottey and Yunus Yasin
SGR Conference and AGM 1998
Mary Ward House, London WC1, November
Main presentations:
'Biotechnology and the Social Responsibility of Science' by Dr Mae-Wan Ho, Reader in Biology, Open University
'Genetically Modified Foods - What's the Problem?' by Prof Derek Burke, Former Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
Workshops: Genetic Engineering; The Climate Train to Kyoto; Transport and Climate Change; Getting SGR better known
Summary by Dani Kaye, Alan Mayne, and Stuart Parkinson
SGR Conference and AGM 1997
Mary Ward House, London WC1; 15 November 1997
Main presentation:
'A Richter Scale for Risk?' by Prof John Adams, University College London
Workshops: Climate Change - the track to Kyoto; SGR and Grassroots Activity; Non-Lethal Weapons
Summary by Alan Mayne and Philip Webber
SGR Conference and AGM 1996
Mary Ward House, London WC1; 16 November 1996
Main presentation:
'Climate Change - The Inter/Intra-National Politics of Contraction and Convergence' by Aubrey Meyer, Global Commons Institute
Workshops: Toxic Legacy - Military Bases; Wings of Death - Low-Level Radiation; SGR Policy 2000
Summary by Dani Kaye and Alasdair Philips