Issues

We currently focus on four main issues: disarmament and security, climate change and energy, questions of who controls science and technology and issues surrounding new and emerging technologies. You will also see that we work on some other issues too. You can explore these with the menu on the left of this page and with the search function. Material in this section includes all SGR's main outputs since 2005, with a selection of the more important material from before then.

Beyond Trident: AWE prepares for the future

Peter Burt, Nuclear Information Service, examines the major redevelopment of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and points out how new facilities could allow the UK to sidestep international controls on nuclear weapons development.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)
 

Census 2011 – who will have access to the data?

With a subsidiary of major arms company, Lockheed Martin, being a lead contractor for the UK’s 2011 census, Geoff Meaden asks if the data collected will really be secure.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)
 

Climate change – are we still sure?

Climate scientists have had a poor press in recent months. Stuart Parkinson, SGR, investigates whether this is a sign that the scientific evidence of climate change is less robust, or just media misrepresentation.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)
 

Research investment decisions: time for change

Dr Helen Wallace, GeneWatch, highlights the failure of the biotech economy and argues that decisions on R&D investments should be made more democratic and accountable.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)
 

Synthetic life – too much, too soon?

Michael Reinsborough asks whether synthetic biologists are rushing ahead with development of associated technologies before the science is properly understood.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)
 

Consultation on financing radioactive waste disposal: SGR response

SGR response to the UK government consultation on an updated Waste Transfer Pricing Methodology for the disposal of higher activity waste from new nuclear power stations, 4 March 2011
 

The detrimental effects of corporate influence on science and technology (Feb 11)

Presentation by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the Radical Statistics annual conference in Leeds, 26 February 2011
 

Finding an Ethical Career in Science and Technology (Feb 11)

Presentation by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, given to IT students at Birmingham University on 18 February 2011
 

Finding an Ethical Career

Presentation by Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at York University on 10 February 2011
 

A new era for arms conversion?

Stuart Parkinson, SGR, argues that recently announced military cuts coupled with an expanding ‘green’ sector suggest the start of major shift in the UK economy.

Article from SGR Newsletter No. 39, winter 2011 (published online: 26 January 2011)