Responsible Science

We currently focus on four main issues: disarmament and security, climate change and energy, questions of who controls science and technology and issues surrounding new and emerging technologies. You will also see that we work on some other issues too. You can explore these with the menu on the left of this page and with the search function. Material in this section includes all SGR's main outputs since 2005, with a selection of the more important material from before then.

A short dictionary of war terminology

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, looks at how the language used to describe war – including that in Ukraine – can mislead and obscure the situation. He provides a short guide for cutting through the information fog.

26 August 2022

To scare or not to scare? Is a message of fear more effective than a message of hope?

Dr Jan Maskell, SGR, summarises the academic evidence on one of the key debates in climate communication.

22 July 2022

Scientists’ warnings and adequate response

What would it take for humanity to hear and act on the scientists' warnings of a climate and nature emergency? Dr Alan Cottey discusses ‘adequate response’ and how to achieve it.

15 July 2022

The Russia-Ukraine war and the climate crisis

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the ways in which the Russia-Ukraine war is fuelling climate change both on and off the battlefield - putting the 1.5C temperature target in jeopardy.

14 June 2022

The horror of war: Ukraine, nuclear weapons and military strategy

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, examines the how military strategy and modern weapon technologies are combining to cause a huge human tragedy in Ukraine - and how nuclear threats could make the situation even worse.

10 June 2022

Towards a fair consumption space

Lewis Akenji, Dana Vigran and Magnus Bengtsson, of the Hot or Cool Institute, outline their latest research on sustainable lifestyles.

5 June 2022

The inclusive, sustainable international conference

How do we reconcile the benefits of scientific gatherings with tackling the climate emergency? Prof Richard Parncutt, University of Graz, has trialled a potential solution.

30 May 2022

The mirage of zero-emissions flying

Finlay Asher, Safe Landing, assesses the technical obstacles to the decarbonisation of aviation - and finds they are substantial.

29 April 2022

Encouraging a culture of climate activism in universities

Dr Emily Heath, SGR, shares 9 tips based on her experience of leading and supporting sustainability campaigns within the UK higher education sector.

19 April 2022

Are the UK’s professional science organisations putting their money where their mouths are?

Dr Liz Kalaugher details progress on SGR’s latest investigation into the financial links between professional bodies and the fossil fuel and arms industries.

14 April 2022

Issues