Events

Nuking the Site from Orbit?

China's 'Hypersonic' Weapons Test

Join resident and guest experts on the military uses of outer space for a virtual panel event to discuss the realities and hyperbole behind the alleged test of a Chinese Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS), and what it means for nuclear strategy, space security, and US-China relations. It is hosted by the Third Nuclear Age project at the School of History, Politics, and International Relations.

Derby House Principles

We are delighted to announce that the Third Nuclear Age Project is now signed up to the Derby House Principles on diversity and inclusion in professional wargaming

This means that:

As professional gamers we are committed to the Derby House Principles:

1. Promoting inclusion and diversity in professional wargaming, through the standards we set, the opportunities we offer, and access to activities we organise.
2. Making clear our opposition to sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination across the board, as well as in wargaming.
3. Encouraging a greater role and higher profile for colleagues from underrepresented groups in our professional activities.
4. Seeking out and listening to the concerns and suggestions of our colleagues as to how our commitment to diversity and inclusion could be enhanced.
5. Demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion through ongoing assessment of progress made and discussion of future steps.

As a team we feel it is particularly important for us to publicly commit to these principles as we plan to ramp-up the conflict simulation component of our project over the next two years. We want to ensure that these professional skills, increasingly valuable in the national security job market, are available to all regardless of background. These commitments closely complement one the primary objectives of the Third Nuclear Age project, which is to equip and develop the next generation of nuclear policy analysts.

The Guns of AUKUS

This expert panel met to discuss the recent weapons technology cooperation announcements between Australia, the UK, and the USA and what this means for nuclear proliferation in the wider world. After each panellist provided opening remarks, there was a Q&A and discussion. Our expert panellists were:

Dr Ben Zala (Australian National University)
Dr Francesca Silvestri (University of Leicester)
Ludovica Castelli (University of Leicester)
Dr Bleddyn Bowen (University of Leicester)

Chair:

Professor Andrew Futter (University of Leicester)

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Online-Event: Disruptive Technologies and Strategic Stability

Multilateraler Dialog KAS

Prof Andrew Futter (Third Nuclear Age, UoL) took part in an online event with Multilateral Dialogue of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Vienna, with Dr Elke Schwarz (Queen Mary, University of London), Dr Marina Favaro (Institute for Peace Research, Hamburg) and Moderator Tariq Rauf (Atomic Reporters).

“Emerging” technologies and Deterrence Stability in the 21st Century

Deterrence Stability in the 21st Century and Emerging Technologies

This lecture by Dr. Andrew Futter, Professor of International Politics, University of Leicester, is part of the VCDNP’s Deterrence and Emerging Technologies (DET) Webinar Series.




Link to Youtube video

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Prof Andrew Futter, principal investigator on the Third Nuclear Age project, has featured in the University of Leicester Centenary Inaugural Lecture series.

Risk of nuclear use and perhaps even nuclear war are higher today than for at least a generation. This talk unpacks the different technological, political and normative factors driving this shift, and makes the case for theorising this transition in nuclear order as the move towards a “third nuclear age”

Cameron Hunter Presents Paper on "Bernard Brodie's Strategic Theory in the Third Nuclear Age"

Dr Cameron Hunter presented at NATO’s defence college on 7th July 2021. The event was the NATO Defence College’s Early-Career Nuclear Strategists Workshop (https://www.ndc.nato.int/news/news.php?icode=1531

His paper was titled “Bernard Brodie’s Strategic Theory in the Third Nuclear Age.” It highlighted Brodie’s arguments that technological change does not inevitably demand certain policy choices. The workshop format meant that Cameron received valuable feedback from senior scholars and practitioners from the nuclear community.

Prof Futter’s Zoom presentation is available online at: Link

This exciting presentation included discussion of this project, outlining the priorities of NUCLEARREV.

Prof Andrew Futter is on a panel at this event, taking place on 3rd February 2021.

Invitation to attend SCRAP’s webinar: Beyond Aegis: Strategic Stability and Emerging Technologies, on the 3rd February 2021 between 17:00-18:30 GMT

In November 2020, for the first time ever, an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICMB) was shot down by a U.S. warship: the Aegis Combat System. Such recent advancements in Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems and nuclear and conventional weapons pose a serious threat to global security.

How are emerging technologies shaping global security and stability? What implications do capabilities like the Aegis Combat System have for geopolitical dynamics? What changes in U.S. foreign policy can we expect to see with the Biden administration?

Our webinar is amongst the first to discuss the significance of the successful Aegis test for global stability. The webinar will explore the most recent developments in international relations alongside the politics and policies behind global security and powerful emerging technologies.

Panel:

Mr Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in Nuclear Policy

Ms. Eva-Nour Repussard, Researcher, SCRAP Weapons

Mr Eric Gomez, Director, Defense Policy Studies, Cato Institute

Ms. Nancy Ehrenberg-Peters, Researcher, SCRAP Weapons

Professor Andrew Futter, University of Leicester

Mr Pavel Podvig, Director, Russian Nuclear Forces Project

Professor Dan Plesch, Director, CISD, SOAS

Register Here