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.

Prospects of robotic warfare are chilling but recognised

Prof John Finney argues that we must act to prevent the ‘morally repugnant’ prospect of machines with the power and discretion to take human life.

11 June 2019

The threat of nuclear war is all too real

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, summarises the extremely serious dangers of the continued deployment of nuclear weapons around the world, in this article first published on the Metro website.

7 June 2019

The nuclear armed nations have inadvertently created a global Doomsday machine, built with 15,000 nuclear weapons. Most (93%) have been built by Russia and in the US, 3,100 of them are ready to fire within hours.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

Rethinking security: a responsible science perspective

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, argues that UK government thinking on security needs to change profoundly, and use more of a science-based approach to tackling global problems.

5 June 2019

1000 researchers and scientists oppose the European Defence Fund

In advance of a European Parliament vote on the new European Defence Fund - which would allow 13 billion euros to be spent on military research and technology - 1000 researchers have signed a statement opposing the fund.

17 April 2019

Science for a secure and sustainable future

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examines how society uses and misuses science and technology - and highlights ways in which we can reshape our relationship with these powerful forces to help bring about a more secure and sustainable society.

9 March 2019

"Unaffordable" and "unachievable": the continuing problems of Trident renewal

Dr Philip Webber and Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, examine the growing financial and technical problems of renewing the UK's nuclear weapons system.

21 February 2019

The risks of the new EU Defence Fund

SGR is one of 42 European civil society organisations warning of major risks caused by the creation of a huge new EU Defence Fund. These risks include accelerating an international arms race and increasing the likelihood that 'killer robots' will be developed.

15 November 2018

Martin Ryle, war and peace

Dr Alan Cottey gives a brief account of Martin Ryle's intense and complex relations with war and peace. This article is part of the marking of the centenary of Sir Martin Ryle (1918 - 1984).

15 August 2018

Over 700 researchers call on colleagues to speak out against EU military research programme

Today a coalition of science and peace organisations has launched the European initiative Researchers for Peace. Over 700 scientists and academics, most from 19 EU countries, have signed an online statement which calls on the EU to stop funding military research. They invite their colleagues in the research community to add their support.

Media release, 27 June 2018

Military spending hits record levels, while climate finance falls short

Climate change can increase the risk of violent conflict, so why don't we redirect some of the funding for military technologies to help tackle climate insecurity? Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, assesses the potential based on the latest international data on military and climate spending.

Article from Laboratory News; republished: 22 June 2018

Issues: Security and disarmament