9th Annual SYP Conference
‘How can we control and eliminate weapons of mass destruction over the next decade?’
Location: Biological Security Research Centre, London Metropolitan University and online
Date: Friday 20th March 2026 (TBC)
Get involved!
SYP wants to give students and young professionals the opportunity to present their ideas on international peace, security and disarmament. This is your chance to share your views, get feedback, meet new people, and hear from some of the leading voices in the field. The conference will help you develop your thoughts, hone your skills, as well as socialise, network and make new friends. We will explore the arguments for and against nuclear weapons, critically analyse the problems posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD)– and the impact of emerging and disruptive technologies– and identify what action citizens and governments can take to create a more peaceful future for all.
We are especially keen to hear from people with alternative and unconventional approaches to the question of how to control and eliminate nuclear weapons and other WMD. Our interest is in finding original ideas to support diplomacy, peace-building and disarmament. You do not need to have a background in international relations, politics or social science to apply– we want to hear from people with an enthusiasm for and interest in the subject. Those with backgrounds in public policy, life sciences, natural sciences, mathematics and engineering are welcome. We are also very keen to hear from people with a STEM background who are interested in science diplomacy and ethical science.
International context
Global tensions and conflict are expected to continue into 2026, which is also set to be a key year for the future of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament. February will see the expiry of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and the United States, whilst in May the Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is due to be held. The First Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is also scheduled to take place in late 2026. In addition, rapid innovation in military technologies, and a worrying erosion of norms regarding chemical and biological weapons, highlight the need for critical discussions and effective international controls.
Conference focus
Key questions we want to explore at the conference include:
- How can we prevent the threat and use of nuclear weapons and other WMD?
- Is the elimination of nuclear weapons / WMD realisable and desirable given the current international context?
- What are the costs and risks of nuclear modernisation and deterrence?
- How should nuclear weapons / WMD be regulated and disposed of, for example, in terms of arms control and disarmament?
- What is the impact of emerging and disruptive technology on peace and security, and what regulation is necessary?
- How will technologies such as AI, quantum, space, and the increasing demand for nuclear energy, interact with nuclear weapons?
- Can emerging and disruptive technologies positively contribute to international peace and security, and if so, how?
- In what ways can STEM researchers reduce the risks posed by dual-use technology and ensure it has a positive social impact?
The conference will provide a space for students and young professionals to share their ideas, be creative, and think big. The event will include prominent figures from civil society, academia, and government. We promote diversity and welcome participants from the UK, Europe and beyond. Sessions will include: expert talks; panel discussions; networking; creative activities; how to get involved with SYP.
How to submit your presentation
Submissions from students at all levels of study, non-academics, and from all disciplines are welcome. If you are uncertain about whether the topic you wish to present on fits with the conference brief, please do either contact us or submit your idea, as we are open to a range of approaches. We encourage people with a STEM background to submit presentations. If you are unsure of how to translate your scientific knowledge into a presentation for this conference, please get in touch.
Proposals should be no longer than 400 words and include the following:
- Your name, organisation / university affiliation, position / educational level, and your discipline (e.g. what you study)
- The provisional title of your presentation or poster
- A summary of your presentation, including its context
- Specific policy or other recommendations, for government, international organisations or civil society, are encouraged
If you prefer, you can submit a proposal for a poster to present your ideas and research. This will be displayed at the conference where you can explain your work to attendees. Conference posters can include a mixture of text, tables, graphs, and pictures.
Please submit your proposal to SYP UK Coordinator, Dr Tim Street: syp@britishpugwash.org
The deadline for submissions is: Saturday 31st January 2026
If accepted, we ask that you present for 5 – 15 minutes (followed by questions) at the conference. We would prefer it if you can present in person but will consider online presentations. Presenters are eligible to apply for travel expenses to the conference.
We would like to include a short summary of papers in the conference proceedings, which will be shared among British Pugwash’s membership, with international partners, and on our website.
Proposal topics
We welcome proposals on all topics relating to nuclear weapons and other WMD, but particularly those addressing questions of modernisation (e.g. costs and risks), existential dangers, regulation, arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament.
We encourage papers engaging with the concepts of global and regional security, including contested ideas, practices and technologies of nuclear arms / WMD. We are also keen for presentations on the technical requirements of arms control / disarmament; and the impact of emerging and disruptive technology (including missile defence, AI, quantum, cybersecurity, outer space, nuclear energy) on international peace and security.
Other themes that might be addressed include:
Nuclear security, deterrence, the nuclear ban treaty (TPNW), multilateral agreements and processes e.g. at the United Nations, harmful impacts of nuclear weapons and other / WMD, proliferation challenges, the legacy of nuclear testing, the interaction between the climate crisis and nuclear weapons, civil society and protest movements.
About Student / Young Pugwash
Student / Young Pugwash (SYP) is a network of students, researchers and younger people interested in a wide range of peace and security issues. We are the youth wing of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, founded in 1957 by Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Joseph Rotblat, and other prominent public figures and scientists. In November 2025, the city of Hiroshima hosted the 63rd Pugwash Conference. The meeting commemorated the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan, as well as the 70th anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, and the 30th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Sir Joseph Rotblat and Pugwash International.
SYP’s annual conference is an opportunity for young and emerging experts to share their ideas and research from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. Conference attendees will be a mix of established experts from the Pugwash community (e.g. diplomats, scientists, academics, campaigners) and students / young researchers.
For examples of our past conferences, click here.
Direct any questions to: syp@britishpugwash.org
About the Biological Security Research Centre, London Metropolitan University
The Biological Security Research Centre (BSRC) is a home for scholars from diverse subject areas who address the issue of biological security, and foster the next generation of researchers. Founded by Professor Lijun Shang, the objective of the Centre is to help strengthen worldwide biological security by carrying out research on strengthening the international norm against biological and chemical warfare, which is embodied respectively in the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the 1970s Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the 1990s Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Biological Security Research Centre – London Metropolitan University