Responsible Science

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.

Civil and military nuclear programmes: will they be derailed by skills shortages?

Alasdair Beal takes a look at the UK nuclear industry – and finds that the proposed expansion has a workforce problem.

4 December 2024

Tackling global risks in the second Trump era

The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency undermines efforts to tackle urgent global risks such as climate change and the threat of nuclear war. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, gives an overview of the problems and assesses how best to respond.

14 November 2024

Stop hobbling UN research on nuclear war impacts, scientists tell UK government

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) today called upon the UK government to stop lobbying against a UN resolution to carry out new research on the potential impacts of nuclear war. The research would be the first UN study on this topic since the 1980s.

29 October 2024

Gaza: how the West’s weapons are fuelling a catastrophe

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, updates earlier analysis of the considerable humanitarian impacts of the war in Gaza, including probable genocide. In particular, he summarises the role of the arms industries in the USA, UK, and elsewhere.

22 October 2024

Future War: Will it really be clean and green?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarises the flaws in recent military claims that new arms technologies will markedly reduce civilian casualties or environmental impacts.

10 September 2024

Nuclear power risks rising in Russia-Ukraine war

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, warns that another nuclear power plant is at major risk as the war enters new territory - and this plant includes Chernobyl-type reactors.

22 August 2024

Military involvement at UK universities: a brief history

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, outlines the history of military involvement in UK universities, from the early 20th century to the present day.

20 June 2024

What should the next UK government prioritise? Views from scientists

Leading SGR figures outline some policy recommendations for the incoming British government on issues including climate change, energy, military and security, and AI.

18 June 2024 (updated)

Addressing the environmental emergency

In this podcast, Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, Olivia Hanks, Green New Deal Group, and Larry Attree, Rethinking Security, discuss Earth system tipping points, Green New Deal proposals, and military v climate spending.

7 June 2024

The extremism of the status quo

Andrew Simms, SGR, summarises the overlooked extremism of mainstream political positions on climate breakdown, militarism, and false technological solutions.

20 May 2024

Security and disarmament