SGR conferences

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) organises a conference roughly once a year (in the autumn) on issues of concern related to science, design and technology.

Keynote speakers are leading researchers/commentators in their field, and the event also includes SGR's Annual General Meeting, together with poster sessions or workshops.

This section of the website includes reports of previous conferences. Links to conference presentations and related material are provided where available.

Michael Atiyah answering questions from the audience

Islam and the West: a personal perspective

Martin Ryle Trust lecture

14 September 2016

Lecture by Sir Michael Atiyah OM FRS; Review by Vanessa Spedding
 

Messages for the Paris conference: The forgotten dimensions of climate change

SGR conference and AGM 2015

The Gallery, Farringdon, London, UK; 31 October

Presentations

Progress towards all-renewable electricity supplies
Prof Keith Barnham, Imperial College London (author of The Burning Answer)

How do we keep 80% of fossil fuels in the ground? Look up, wise up, cheer up
Dr Laurence Matthews, Cap and Share UK

Nuclear weapons and climate catastrophe
Dr Philip Webber, Scientists for Global Responsibility

Demilitarization for deep decarbonization
Tamara Lorincz, International Peace Bureau

Eight posters were also presented during the event.

A summary of the event, together with the presentations and other material, is now available to download.

 

Living within environmental limits: From science to practice

SGR conference and AGM 2014

Halton Mill, Halton, Lancaster, UK; 4 October

Main presentations:

The case for urgent and radical carbon emission reductions
Dr Maria Sharmina, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester

How can we live well within natural limits? Case studies of One Planet Living
Sue Riddlestone OBE, Chief Executive, BioRegional

The event also included workshops on community energy projects and sustainable living, and tours of eco-homes and renewable energy technologies.

A summary of the event, together with the presentations, is now available to download.
 

Security and sustainability: the role of science, design and technology

SGR conference and AGM 2013

St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK; 16 November

Presentations:

  • From Offensive Insecurity to Sustainable Security: The Role of Science and Technology
    Dr Stuart Parkinson, Scientists for Global Responsibility
  • Humanitarian Problems from the Use of Nuclear Weapons - and Some Solutions?
    Dr Philip Webber, Scientists for Global Responsibility
  • UK Energy Policy: Secure, Sustainable, Sane?
    Dr Ian Fairlie, independent environmental consultant

A summary of the event is available to download, together with presentation slides and some video recordings.
 

SGR AGM and strategy forum

SGR’s 20th Anniversary Annual General Meeting and Strategy Forum

Edward Cullinan Architects, London, UK; 19 May 2012
 

Emerging technologies: are the risks being neglected?

SGR Conference and AGM 2011

Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK; 21 May

Presentations:

  • Geo-engineering the Climate
    Prof Joanna Haigh, Imperial College London
  • Robots on the Battlefield: Ethical and Humanitarian Implications
    Prof Noel Sharkey, Sheffield University
  • Emerging Technologies and Risk: the Social, Cultural and Political Dimensions
    Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski, Lancaster University

Eight posters were presented in the afternoon session

A summary, powerpoint presentations, and newsletter articles are available from this event.
 

Building a low carbon economy: the pathway from recession

SGR Conference and AGM 2009

Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK; 24 October

Presentations:

  • The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan - Where are we going?
    Dr Tim Foxon, Sustainability Research Institute, Leeds University/ SGR
  • Arms conversion for a low carbon economy
    Prof David Webb, Praxis Centre, Leeds Metropolitan University
  • A trade union programme for the creation of one million climate-change jobs
    Dr Gareth Dale, Brunel University

Eight posters were presented in the afternoon session.

Summary by Kate Macintosh and Stuart Parkinson

 

Sustainable Buildings and Communities: Their role in meeting environmental and social goals

SGR Conference and AGM 2008

Alan Baxter and Associates’ Gallery, London, UK; 25 October

Presentations:

  • Social Housing: From Paternalism to Cooperatives
    Kate Macintosh MBE, Vice Chair, SGR
  • Making Sustainable Building and Places
    Prof Sandy Halliday, Gaia Research

Ten posters were presented in the afternoon session.

Summary by Alasdair Beal

 

Fighting over the leftovers: Resource depletion and the potential for conflict

SGR Conference and AGM 2007

University of London Union, UK; 6 October

Main presentations:
'Climate change and conflict' by Dan Smith, Secretary-General, International Alert
'Energy, peak oil and conflict' by Dr Mandy Meikle, Depletion Scotland

Workshops: Water and conflict - past, present and future; Using less in our homes; Volunteering for SGR

Summarised by Stuart Parkinson, Martin Quick, Tim Foxon, Sean Macintosh

 

Positive Futures: Successful Applications of Ethical Science, Design and Technology

SGR Conference and AGM 2006

University of London Union, UK; 21 October

Main presentations:
'Making Peacebuilding Work' by Prof John Sloboda, Executive Director, Oxford Research Group
'Implementing Sustainable Energy at a Local Level' by Dr Philip Webber, Kirklees Metropolitan Council/ SGR

Workshops: Science and Positive Security - Tools for Change; SGR and the Trade Union Movement; Finding an Ethical Career in Science, Design and Technology

Summary by Patrick Nicholson