Science and Security Programme

About:

Science and Security: Linking Social Science, Arts and Humanities to Understand impacts of Science and Technology on defence and security.

The RCUK Global Uncertainties Programme announced the start of the new £2.1 million Science and Security Programme in March 2013. The RCUK Global Uncertainties Programme is a Cross- Council initiative involving all seven UK Research Councils. It is led by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The ESRC, The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Futures and Innovation Domain and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have commissioned new research to develop greater understanding of how developments in science and technology will present opportunities and threats to future UK defence and security.

Research will focus on how the risks to defence and security that emerge from future developments in science and technology can better be assessed and addressed as well as how cultural, historical, ethical, economic and societal factors influence the way in which science and technology is developed and utilised in the future to present opportunities and threats for defence and security.

As part of the RCUK Global Uncertainties Programme, this call brings together the activities of the seven UK Research Councils in response to global security challenges. The programme examines the causes of insecurity and how security risks and threats can be predicted, prevented and managed.

The research will have the potential to provide new insights on the development, perception, use and dissemination of science and technology within different cultures and societies and the implications for UK defence, security and risk management.

Research funded through this programme is expected to make an impact on the AHRC Science in Culture theme by allowing Arts and Humanities researchers to undertake cross disciplinary research addressing issues surrounding scientific and technological innovation.

Further information about the Science and Security Programme call is available here http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/Science-and-Security.aspx

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