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.

UK Strategic Defence and Security Review: SGR Response

Full text of SGR response to the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review, 3 September 2010.

A very similar submission was made to the House of Comons Defence Committee inquiry into this Review.
 

Arms conversion for a low carbon economy (Feb 2010)

David Webb, Leeds Metropolitan University, argues that a major industrial shift away from military technology should be a key component in building the low carbon economy.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 38, winter 2010
 

Nuclear disarmament slowly gathers pace

Stuart Parkinson critically examines progress on global nuclear disarmament over the past year.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 38, winter 2010
 

Making space for peace - preventing Missile Defence expanding warfare

Philip Chapman argues that international law on the military use of space still needs urgent attention, despite recent announcements from the Obama administration.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 38, winter 2010
 

Arms conversion for a low carbon economy (Nov 2009)

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the Climate Emergency Copenhagen Forum, London, 7 November 2009
 

Arms conversion for a low carbon economy (Oct 2009)

Presentation by Prof David Webb, Praxis Centre, Leeds Metropolitan University at the SGR conference, 24 October 2009
 

Science and the Corporate Agenda

The detrimental effects of commercial influence on science and technology

SGR report by Chris Langley and Stuart Parkinson; October 2009

It is no secret that links between the commercial sectors and science and technology are increasing. Many policy-makers, business leaders and members of the science community argue that this is positive for both science and society. But there is growing evidence that the science commercialisation agenda brings with it a wide range of detrimental effects, including bias, conflicts of interest, a narrowing of the research agenda, and misrepresentation of research results. This report takes an in-depth look at the evidence for these effects across five sectors: pharmaceuticals; tobacco; military/defence; oil and gas; and biotechnology. Its findings make disturbing reading for all concerned about the positive role of science and technology in our society.
 

 

Universities, the military and the UK's security needs

Summary of a seminar by Dr Chris Langley, Principal Researcher, SGR at the 'Power & the Academy' Conference, Manchester Metropolitan University, 6 - 8 April 2009
 

Deterrence irrelevance: Trident, Britain and nuclear weapons

Nick Ritchie, Bradford University, outlines the serious flaws in the logic of nuclear deterrence upon which the proposed replacement of Trident is based.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.37, spring 2009
 

The MOD Grand Challenge: war games for young engineers?

Phil Chamberlain discovers some disturbing activities on Salisbury Plain.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 37, spring 2009