Visit of Dr. Charles Ferguson, President of the Federation of American Scientists

Do you have an interest in science policy issues and/or a career in science policy? If so, there will be several opportunities to see talks by, and even meet with, Dr. Charles Ferguson, President of the Federation of American Scientists (http://www.fas.org/), during the week of Oct. 29.

Dr. Charles Ferguson, a physicist, has worked extensively on applying scientific knowledge to public policy, with the goal of increasing the security of the nation and the world. He has a recently published book called, Nuclear Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, May 2011). Dr. Ferguson will be visiting the UIUC campus for two days during the week of Oct. 29, meeting with students and faculty and giving two talks, a Physics Department Colloquium on Wednesday, October 31, and a MillerComm Lecture on Thursday, November 1. The titles and abstracts of these two talks are given below.

Dr. Ferguson is very enthusiastic about meeting with students who have an interest in applying scientific knowledge and practices to public policy issues. Two events have been arranged in Loomis Lab on Thursday, Nov. 1, to provide students an opportunity to discuss the application of science to public policy and career possibilities in this area with Dr. Ferguson, in an informal setting:

Thursday Lunch Meeting -- There will be a lunch meeting from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Nov. 1 that will be open to a limited number of participants (lunch will be provided). If you are interested in participating in the limited-seating lunch meeting, please send a short description of your career goals and background in the area of science applied to public policy to Lance Cooper, and you will receive an invitation from the lunch organizers if there is room for you at the lunch.

Thursday Coffee/Tea Meeting: There will also be a coffee/tea meeting from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Nov. 1 in 251 Loomis Lab that will be open to all.


Dr. Ferguson will also be giving the following presentations related to science policy issues:

PHYSICS DEPARTMENT COLLOQUIUM
"The Physics of Nuclear Disarmament"
4 PM, Wednesday, October 31st, 141 Loomis Lab
Dr. Charles D. Ferguson, President, Federation of American Scientists

Abstract:  Is nuclear disarmament technically feasible? What are the technical challenges to verifying that a formerly nuclear-armed nation has completely dismantled its nuclear arsenal? What is the feasibility of achieving and verifying that fissile material is no longer produced for weapons purposes? Will keeping stockpiles of weapons-usable material pose a show-stopper for disarmament? What is the role of missile defense in a nuclear-weapon-free world? The presenter will discuss these and other challenges and physicists' role in meeting them.
 

MILLERCOMM LECTURE
Leveraging Science and Technology to Transform International Security: The Social Responsibility of Engineers and Scientists
7:30 PM, Thursday, November 1st, Spurlock Museum Auditorium
Dr. Charles D. Ferguson, President, Federation of American Scientists

Abstract:   Traditionally, security has often been narrowly viewed through the lens of military defense and acquisition of weapons. This view must change. Today and increasingly in the future, every nation's security will depend more and more on a new mindset: the security of everyone will hinge on cooperative means to ensure adequate energy, food, and water. However, humanity is on an unsustainable path in use of these resources. Increasing competition for scarcer supplies could lead to major armed conflict or other massive suffering. The speaker will discuss the role of engineers and scientists in developing and deploying science and technology to achieve greater security for all nations.