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.

Scientists or soldiers? Career choice, ethics and the military

SGR ethical careers briefing by Chris Langley; January 2006

This briefing discusses military involvement with science and engineering, and how it can affect career choice in these fields. It outlines how the UK’s position as a major military power influences research, teaching, and development and deployment of new technologies, and discusses the related ethical issues. The briefing also gives tips on avoiding military work and describes opportunities in a range of alternative fields such as peace-building, disarmament, and cleaner energy technologies.
 

Torture technology - a booming industry?

Steve Wright, Leeds Metropolitan University, outlines the recently introduced European Union controls on torture equipment and assesses whether they are adequate to control current developments in military technology.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 31, December 2005
 

Aldermaston’s new nuclear weapon project - time to get active!

Dominick Jenkins argues that more scientists and engineers need to get active to help stop the UK government undermining attempts at nuclear disarmament.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 31, December 2005
 

The place of science, technology and engineering in the national security agenda: time for an assessment?

Notes for a Seminar given by Chris Langley, SGR, at Kings College, London, November 2005
 

Soldiers in the laboratory: Military involvement in science and technology - and some alternatives (Oct/Nov 2005)

Texts of presentations by Chris Langley, SGR, to Pugwash Ethical Science Group, Imperial College, London, October 2005, and Totton Sixth-Form College, Southampton, November, 2005
 

Letter to The Lancet on Reed Elsevier

Text of a letter to The Lancet, co-signed by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, published on 10 September 2005
 

It's Time for Scientists and Technologists to Act over Nuclear Weapons

Press release, 6 August 2005
 

Military-University Partnerships: The role of science and technology in setting the security agenda

Presentation given by Dr Chris Langley, SGR, at the 9th Annual Conference on Economics and Security at the University of Bristol on 23-25 June, 2005
 

The military dimensions of science and technology (May 2005)

Presentation by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, on 'Engineering in Society' undergraduate course, Lancaster University, May 2005
 

The military agenda: the role of science, engineering and technology

Presentation by Dr Chris Langley, SGR, as part of a Debate at the Royal Institution on 11 May 2005