Responsible Science

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.

The threat from nuclear winter

As the threat of a nuclear war grows, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, outlines the catastrophic climatic consequences should nuclear weapons ever be used - based on the latest academic research.

10 March 2022

An Allied correspondent stands in rubble, looking at the ruins of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.

Has our society forgotten the extreme horror of nuclear weapons?

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the risk of nuclear war has markedly increased. But, as Dr Philip Webber, SGR, points out, the threat comes from all nuclear weapons, not just those in Russian hands.

3 March 2022

COP26, peace and the carbon bootprint of the military

In light of the agreements at COP26, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, looks at the controversial role of the military in climate issues, including the latest data on military carbon emissions, and how demilitarisation programmes offer more potential for reductions than low carbon weapons systems.

29 January 2022

From arms, planes and racing cars to ventilators: industrial conversion during the Covid-19 crisis

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, assesses the UK’s crash industrial programme to scale up production of medical ventilators during the pandemic – and what lessons can be learned for conversion away from fossil fuels & arms.

10 December 2021

Challenging the military carbon bootprint

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the huge carbon emissions of the military, the threat to the climate from nuclear weapons, and what can be done to challenge it.

8 November 2021

Are UK universities being drawn into developing autonomous weapons?

The UK government refuses to support a treaty to regulate lethal autonomous weapons systems, preferring instead to expand military R&D, including at universities. But, argues Leyla Manthorpe Rizatepe, these same universities could become a further focus of protest.

26 October 2021

The climatic impacts of spaceflight

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines the carbon footprint of spaceflight - especially space tourism, military missions, and the planned return of humans to the Moon. He argues that the damage is large enough to justify a moratorium on all non-essential spaceflight.

8 October 2021

Hidden military implications of ‘building back’ with new nuclear in the UK

Dr Phil Johnstone and Prof Andy Stirling, University of Sussex, examine the entanglements between Britain's civilian and military nuclear programmes and ask, would the UK be building new nuclear power stations if it weren't for pressure from the military lobby?

20 September 2021

The growing military involvement in UK universities - and the alternatives

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, highlights the rapidly increasing military involvement at UK universities, especially as part of the government's 'Global Britain' agenda.

11 September 2021

Nuclear weapons, the military & climate overheating

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, compares funding for nuclear weapons with funding for tackling climate change, using the UK as an example.

9 September 2021

Issues: Security and disarmament