Newsletter articles

SGR Newsletters are published roughly twice a year. The main articles are listed below. For details of the current issue and back issues, See our Newsletter page

25 years of science ethics at Cambridge

Dr Richard Jennings, University of Cambridge, reflects on lessons learned from the teaching of science ethics at one of the UK's leading universities.

1 September 2016

 

Ocean acidification: a threat to life

Wiebina Heesterman examines the other threat from carbon dioxide emissions: that of ocean acidification.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 8 June 2016

World War I Howitzer

The industrialisation of war: lessons from World War I

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines how technological innovation contributed to one of
the most devastating wars in human history – and asks what lessons we should take from this.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 5 April 2016

Statistically assessing of the risks of commercial nuclear energy

As we approach the 5th anniversary of the Fukushima emergency and 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Spencer Wheatley, Prof Benjamin Sovacool and Prof Didier Sornette argue that the risks of another major nuclear accident are much greater than the industry believes.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 7 March 2016

RAF Tornado

A new phase for ‘offensive insecurity’?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, gives an overview of the UK’s new military and security strategies, and highlights the increasing focus on militarism.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 7 March 2016

UK climate policy unravelling

The government claims that the UK is taking a leading role in tackling climate change - but support mechanisms for renewable energy and energy conservation are rapidly being cut. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines what is going on.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; online publication: 23 February 2016

Flights from sense: how space tourism could alter the climate (February 2016)

Philip Chapman investigates the potential environmental impacts should space tourism recover from its recent setbacks and become a thriving global industry.

23 February 2016

Dallam School: Science 4 Society discussion

Science4Society Week: SGR's new education project

Dr Jan Maskell, SGR, describes the activities for young people which our organisation undertook as part of its first Science4Society Week in 2015 - and looks at what is planned for March 2016.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; advance online publication: 19 January 2016

Trident missile

Trident, Deterrence and UK Security

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the flaws in the theory and practice of nuclear deterrence for the UK.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.44; advance online publication: 14 January 2016

Too Close for Comfort: Cases of Near Nuclear Use and Options for Policy

Sasan Aghlani, Chatham House, outlines just how close the world has come to the inadvertent use of nuclear weapons in the last 60 years – and suggests some immediate measures to reduce the risks.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.43; online publication: 3 April 2015