SIPRI and the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) are pleased to announce an introductory course on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) non-proliferation and disarmament. The course will take place on 2–5 December 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden. Read the information below for further details and instructions on how to apply.
About the course
SIPRI and the EUNPDC invite graduate and postgraduate students of technical disciplines to apply for an intensive introductory course on the proliferation of WMD, mechanisms to control their further spread, security of nuclear materials and installations, and pathways to disarmament. The course will take place on 2–5 December 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The course will cover the fundamentals of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, as well as of missiles and other means of WMD delivery; threats associated with the military use of WMD and potential terrorist uses of chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) material (i.e. CBRN terrorism); arms control treaties; WMD-free zones; non-proliferation treaties and means of their verification; export controls; and mechanisms aimed at achieving disarmament. The course will also examine gender perspectives on armament and disarmament, as well as cover potential career paths in these disciplines.
Course instructors will include renowned experts on WMD non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, export controls, verification and related subjects from SIPRI, other European research centres, think tanks, and international organizations.
Eligibility and application
The course is open to all students currently enrolled in a European university, pursuing a graduate or postgraduate degree in any technical or natural science discipline (e.g. engineering, life sciences, physics), as well as to early-career individuals working with topics relevant to this course in their professional capacity and with less than three years of work experience. Students who already participated in an EUNPDC online or in-person course in this series are not eligible to apply. Applications from qualified women and underrepresented communities are encouraged.
The language of instruction is English. There is no tuition fee, and SIPRI will cover accommodation and economy class roundtrip costs for 20 students travelling from within Europe upon request. The deadline for applications is 7 October 2024. As space is limited, we recommend that applications be submitted as early as possible. Participants will be given access to preparatory materials and expected to read them in advance of the course.
Applications should be submitted in English via this link. Please note that you will be asked to upload a cover letter and curriculum vitae.
Selections will be finalized by 18 October 2024, and applicants will be informed thereafter. All inquiries about the course should be directed to Vitaly Fedchenko, SIPRI Senior Researcher.