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.

SGR 2023 Conference image
Responsible science and the polycrisis: new hope versus false solutions
Date:

SGR online conference and AGM

From the war in Ukraine to the climate emergency, from economic crises to disruptive technologies, the world is confronted by what many are calling the 'polycrisis'. This event offered analysis of false solutions and where we should really look for hope.

Videos of main presentations now available.

industrial network (Gerd Altmann)
Science superpower or techno dead-end: what would a globally responsible Britain look like?
Date:

SGR's 30th anniversary conference and AGM; online

Speakers included: Prof Kevin Anderson; Ann Pettifor; Andrew Simms; Dr Paul Dorfman; Anna Jonsson; Dr Stuart Parkinson; Anne Kretzschmar; Josie Wexler

Presentations available to watch and/or download

Photo of protest with banner reading Climate Action Now
From science to activism: how should action follow climate research?
Date:

SGR online conference and AGM

Speakers included: Dr Lewis Akenji; Andrew Simms; Dr Jan Maskell; Dr Stuart Parkinson; Dr Liz Kalaugher; Dr Emily Heath

Presentations available to watch and/or download

Solar panels
Transition Now (part II)
Date:

Recovering from Covid-19, will responsible science and technology be tools of rapid change?

Part II: Responsible technology and the climate emergency

SGR online conference (part II) and AGM

Speakers included: Prof Nick Robins; Dr Lucy Gilliam; Dr Philip Johnstone; Dr Stuart Parkinson; Dr Alice Bell

Presentations are now available to watch and/or download

Scorched desert (iStock)
Transition Now (part I)
Date:

Recovering from Covid-19, will responsible science and technology be tools of rapid change?

Part I: Responsible science and the climate emergency

SGR conference (part I)

Speakers included: Prof Alice Larkin; Prof Bill McGuire; Prof Julia Steinberger; Jess Worth

Presentations are now available to watch and/or download

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Scientists behaving responsibly: should science walk the talk on climate breakdown?
Date:

SGR conference and AGM, London

Speakers included: Prof Kevin Anderson; Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh; Prof Bill McGuire; Prof Rebecca Willis; Andrew Simms; Dr Jan Maskell; Farhana Yamin

Conference outputs are now available to download

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Artificial intelligence: how little has to go wrong?
Date:

Is artificial intelligence evolving quicker than the regulation to manage it? Are we sufficiently able to imagine what major problems may emerge, and can it even be effectively regulated?

Conference outputs are now available to download!

Creating a better world
Date:

SGR's 25th anniversary conference and AGM

With the world facing heightened risks of nuclear war, the growing threat of severe climate change, and numerous other major problems, fears are once again growing for our future.

Universities for sale?
Date:

SGR conference and AGM 2016
This conference discussed the ways in which the arms, fossil fuel and other controversial industries are involved at UK universities, how government policies encourage this, and the range of detrimental effects - and then discussed proposals for change.

Michael Atiyah answering questions from the audience
Islam and the West: a personal perspective
Date:

Professor Sir Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS, delivered the inaugural Martin Ryle Trust lecture, which took place in Conway Hall, London.