Presentations

SGR regularly gives presentations at a range of events from international conferences to public meetings. Powerpoints slides and/ or notes from the main ones are listed here.

From Offensive Insecurity to Sustainable Security: The Role of Science and Technology

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that current funding patterns of R&D in the UK support a militaristic approach to dealing with security problems. He makes the case for a shift in funding to R&D which helps to tackle the roots of conflict, including climate change.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013, and in Kendal, Cumbria, 30 November 2013

 

Humanitarian problems from the use of nuclear weapons - and some solutions?

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, outlines the catastrophic humanitarian and climatic consequences should nuclear weapons ever be used, particularly focusing on the consequences if the UK fired its Trident nuclear missiles. He also discusses some hopeful signs for international nuclear disarmament.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013
 

UK Energy Policy: Secure, Sustainable, Sane?

Dr Ian Fairlie argues that - from an environmental, social and economic perspective - the priority in UK energy policy should be on energy conservation and renewables, rather than on nuclear power.

Presentation at SGR conference, London, 16 November 2013
 

Military R&D: Is it helping or hindering our security?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that contrary to popular belief there are numerous reasons why military research and development is not helping to improve security, and makes the case for alternatives.

Presentation at York University, 23 October 2013
 

Humanitarian problems from the use of a nuclear weapon on a UK city

Dr Philip Webber, SGR, outlines the devastating impacts of a nuclear weapon attack on a UK city, using the case study of Manchester. He also summarises climatic and other effects should nuclear war ever happen.

Presentation at Manchester Town Hall, 4 October 2013
 

Is military involvement with science underming our security?

Military use of science and technology is commonly argued to be good for our security. Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, presents a range of evidence to show that this view has major flaws, and argues for a change in priorities for security R&D.

Presentation at Leeds Headingley Cafe Scientifique, 14 May 2013 (references updated 3 June 2013)
 

Tackling climate change: will technology save us?

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that there is too much focus on technology within mainstream climate change strategies and that there needs to be a better balance between technology, economic and political solutions. This would lead to more effective climate policies and would contribute to quality of life improvements.

Presentation at Warwick Climate Forum, 24 November 2012.
 

UK military R&D: changing times

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at INES/IPB side event at the Preparation Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Vienna

30 April 2012

 

High military spending: making a case for the alternatives

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, in Hereford, UK, 17 April 2012

An event to mark the Global Day of Action on Military Spending

 

Science and technology: when does use become misuse?

Science and technology have contributed to huge changes in human society, bringing many benefits, but also helping to cause global scale problems. Using a series of examples from the past century or so, this presentation examines the balance of costs and benefits, and argues that the role of science and technology in society needs to change, if we are not to be overhwhelmed by the problems we now face.

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the What is science for? teachers' conference, Widnes, Cheshire, UK

25 February 2012