Review of the 8th Annual SYP Conference: ‘Stepping back from the brink of nuclear war: fresh thinking on peace and disarmament’

The conference took place at King’s College London on March 15th. The theme of the conference was ‘Stepping back from the brink of nuclear war: fresh thinking on peace and disarmament’

The aim of the event was to encourage discussion on the legal, political and technical questions associated with this topic, with a focus on ethical science.

Below is a summary of all the presenter information from the conference, including: photos, videos, slides and contact details.

NB all videos are also available on our YouTube channel

  • Keynote panel: 10.00-11.00

David Cullen (Policy Fellow and Programme Manager, Emerging Voices Network, BASIC)

Dr Poul Erik Christiansen, Programme Director, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs

  • First presenter panel: 11.15-12.45, The impact of emerging and disruptive technology on peace and security

– Dr Shivani Singh (Research Associate, Third Nuclear Age Project, Leicester University), @Shivanisingh943

“Maintaining Cold Peace Between Regional Nuclear Dyads in Light of the Third Nuclear Age: Case of South Asia”

Slides

– Olivia Ibbotson (PhD student, Biological Security Research Centre, London Metropolitan University)

“An integrated approach on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Security education:  Exploring the challenges arising to CBRN security education from advanced science and technology”

Slides

– Jan Quosdorf (MA Student, King’s College London & University of Hamburg)

“Neutrino detectors between nuclear safeguards and security: Implications for the future of nuclear-powered submarines”

Slides

 

– Chair: Matteo Bordin, Student / Young Pugwash Board Member

  • Second presenter panel, 13.45 – 15.15, Regional and global challenges posed by nuclear weapons

– Harine Raaj (Masters student, International Relations, University of Manchester)

“Countering the Threat: Regulating Illicit Nuclear Arms Trade for Global Stability”

Slides

– Beatrice Aubert (Research Assistant at RAND Europe in the Defence, Security and Justice Team & Member of the Nuclear Strategy Network – Next Generation)

“The relevance of the nuclear superiority theory: assessing the credibility of strict sufficiency”

– Muhammad Qasim (Policy & Research Volunteer, Nuclear Information Service / MA in Peace, Conflict, and Development, University of Bradford)

“Regional Instability and Proliferation Risks: A Focus on South Asia”

Slides

Chair: James Brady, British Pugwash Board Member

  • Third presenter panel, 15.30 – 17.00, Creating a more inclusive and impactful peace and disarmament debate

– Anthea Ennequin (LUISS Guido Carli University, Master’s Student in International Relations)

“Eco-Centric Diplomacy as a Path to Deterrence”

Slides

 

– Franco Castro Escobar (PhD Candidate and Research Fellow, Keele University’s David Bruce Centre for the Study of the Americas and Hiroshima Peace Institute)

“Youth Organizing at the Dawn of a Post-Hibakusha Antinuclear Movement”

Slides

 

– Joel N. Christoph (PhD Researcher, European University Institute)

“From Hidden Unilateralism to Multipolar Acceleration: A Historical Analysis of Realist Power Politics and Its Implications for Nuclear Disarmament”

Chair: Orlanda Gill, Student / Young Pugwash Board Member

Other photos from the day…

***Thanks to Ellie Smith and Orlanda Gill for taking photos, and for Marcia Clough of KCL for her support on the day!***