Registration for our largest event of the year is LIVE! The virtual #UKPONI2021 Annual Conference will take place on 8-10 June.
The annual conference is about community. To drive change in our field and bring a diversity of perspectives on nuclear issues, we need everyone to join the conversation. We’re throwing our virtual arms wide open and inviting you to join us for free!
The coronavirus pandemic might have stopped us from meeting (and celebrating our 10th anniversary!) in person last year, but we have redesigned this year’s conference to allow a special broadcast on RUSI’s new online platform.
Why Should You Attend?
The UK PONI Annual Conference is the premier UK forum supporting the emergence of new nuclear expertise from academia, industry, government and the military. Join our network and colleagues from across the nuclear policy community to discuss and debate new nuclear thinking!
✅ Six Panel Discussions to delve into the latest disruptions and incoming trends in the nuclear world
✅ Keynotes from the leaders who run the UK nuclear enterprise
✅ A Fireside Chat with the UK Ministry of Defence and the Atomic Weapons Establishment on the significant change to the running of AWE
✅ A Futures Workshop with N Square and the School of International Futures
✅ Network with a diverse community of voices
With a remarkable list of speakers, this year’s annual conference will take you on a tour of the biggest questions and challenges in the nuclear field.
So, make sure you are part of the conversation by registering to attend!
Dr Ana Alecsandru
Research Fellow, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
UK PONI project lead
RUSI Events
Register NOW for this year’s virtual #UKPONI2021 Annual Conference
We are delighted to announce the two keynote speakers at this year’s conference – Vanessa Nicholls, Director General Nuclear and Rear Admiral Timothy Hodgson, Director Submarine Capability, Ministry of Defence.
The Futures workshop with N Square and the School of International Futures will introduce participants to Futures Wheels – an exploratory futures tool – and how it can be applied to nuclear issues. Make sure you tick the box during registration if you are interested in participating in this interactive workshop on 10 June.
Nuclear Café
Nuclear Café, Fridays, 3-4pm BST
Join us next week, on 4 June, for a conversation with Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, where she focuses on the nuclear and missile programmes in Iran, North Korea, India, and Pakistan and on international efforts to prevent proliferation and nuclear terrorism. We will also discuss her recent article on the challenges of working in the national security field with a chronic illness.
On 25 June, we will welcome Dr Michael Mulvihill to talk about the opportunities creative work has opened up regarding nuclear deterrence and society. Michael spent three years as the RAF’s first artist-in-residence at the Fylingdales site in North Yorkshire – the UK ballistic missile early warning station – where he explored its extensive archive.
Nuclear Book
Negotiating the New START Treaty by Rose Gottemoeller (published May 2021). In this invaluable insider’s account of the negotiations between the US and Russian delegations in Geneva in 2009 and 2010, the crucial discussions between President Barack Obama and President Dmitry Medvedev as well as the tough negotiations Gottemoeller and her team went through to gain Senate support are brought to light. Read Gottemoeller’s recent article for an inside look at the very male world of nuclear diplomacy.
Events & Courses
Register here for the 2021 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference, online this year, scheduled for 22-24 June. The Young Professionals Track for graduate students and participants with fewer than five years of professional experience will include a plenary session, breakout discussions, and mentorship sessions.
NATO Defense College currently offers eight fellowships in the field of defence and security policy research related to NATO and its Partners. The deadline for the submission of applications is 15 June. To apply, read here.
A Fundamentals of Physical Protection workshop, six-day online course, is being held in two parts from 5-7 July and 12-14 July 2021. This workshop is especially relevant to individuals working for nuclear and radiological operators, regulators, government and research institutes. Ideally, participants will have at least five years of professional experience and a basic knowledge of nuclear security. The deadline for the submission of applications is 16 June. To apply, read here.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has launched a quest to uncover visions of the future from the brightest student minds in the UK. Entrants must answer the question: what do you believe to be the future threats or opportunities facing UK defence and security over the next 25 years? The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students currently based at UK academic institutions. The deadline for the submission of applications is 31 July. Details here.
WMD Policy and Strategy Under the Biden Administration, 16-17 June 2021. Register here.
The Public Policy and Nuclear Threats (PPNT) Boot Camp, 26-30 July (online) aims to give participants the knowledge and analytic tools to contribute to the debate on future U.S. nuclear policy. The boot camp features lectures, discussions, debates, and policy simulations. Details and application here.
Open Call for Young Artists: Create a World Without Nukes! Details here.
Publications
Africa and the Atomic Bomb: Part I, Rethinking African Agency in the Global Nuclear Order (May 2021)
Connecting the Pillars of the NPT: Multilateral Disarmament Verification and Non-Proliferation, a recent analytical contribution that explores the juxtaposition of NPT disarmament obligations and verification challenges (May 2021).
The Stands They are a Changin’ (May 2021), studying North Korea’s ballistic missile programme with satellite imagery.
Iran Needs the Nuclear Deal to Keep Russia and China at Bay (May 2021)
The fog of war may confound weapons that think for themselves (May 2021)
Jobs & Internships
Oslo Nuclear Project PhD Research Fellowship in Political Science based at the University of Oslo. This project will be a member of the Oslo Nuclear Project´s research cluster focusing on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Details here.
The King’s Intelligence and Security Group have recently launched two PhD Studentships. Details here and here.
