Issues: Security and disarmament

Security and disarmament

SGR produces a range of resources on the issue of 'security and disarmament'. This covers military technologies, arms control and disarmament (esp. nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, ‘Missile Defense’, conventional weapons) - as well as alternative concepts of security, peace building and conflict prevention.

Scientists and engineers have a central role in the development of weapons and therefore share a special responsibilty to society. SGR's project work has investigated the extensive influence that the military has over science and technology.

Breaking the deadlock: Iran’s nuclear programme in context

Prof Keith Barnham, Imperial College London, suggests renewable energy technologies can play a key role in arresting the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Article from SGR Newsletter 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 22 October 2012)
 

Nuclear disarmament: then and now

Dr Rebecca Johnson, Acronym Institute, highlights the limited progress in nuclear disarmament since the end of the Cold War. Nevertheless, she argues that new academic research can help to reframe nuclear threats, providing future opportunities for more effective international initiatives to ban nuclear weapons.

Article from SGR Newsletter 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 22 October 2012)
 

Military-university collaborations – an update on the UK situation

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, reviews the latest developments in military involvement at UK universities.

19 September 2012
 

Rio+20: issues that need more attention

Four issues that are not likely to get the attention they deserve at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro...

15 June 2012
 

UK military R&D: changing times

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at INES/IPB side event at the Preparation Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Vienna

30 April 2012

 

High military spending: making a case for the alternatives

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, in Hereford, UK, 17 April 2012

An event to mark the Global Day of Action on Military Spending

 

The dangers of a military attack on Iran’s nuclear programme (Feb 2012)

There are increasingly vocal demands for military action to halt Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, takes a critical look at the evidence for such a programme and argues that any military attack is likely to make matters considerably worse.

Article for INES website, 13 February 2012 (updated on 23 February and 27 March)
 

Science and technology: when does use become misuse?

Science and technology have contributed to huge changes in human society, bringing many benefits, but also helping to cause global scale problems. Using a series of examples from the past century or so, this presentation examines the balance of costs and benefits, and argues that the role of science and technology in society needs to change, if we are not to be overhwhelmed by the problems we now face.

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the What is science for? teachers' conference, Widnes, Cheshire, UK

25 February 2012
 

Automating warfare is ethically dangerous

Prof Noel Sharkey, Sheffield University, outlines the disturbing trends in military robotics, including armed drones.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 40, autumn 2011 (published online: 5 January 2012)

 

SGR signs open letter on NATO Missile Defense plans and the increased risk of nuclear war

Open letter to President Barack Obama and President Dmitry Medvedev, 13 December 2011