Student Pugwash USA
Encyclopedia
Student Pugwash USA engages students to promote the socially responsible use of science
and technology
in the 21st century. While run by a professional staff headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization uses a chapter-based model on U.S. college campuses. The student members discuss the ethical, social and global implications of advances in these fields and explore the pursuit of socially responsible careers involving science and technology. SPUSA is the U.S. affiliate of International Student/Young Pugwash
and the US student affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
, recipients of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize
.
As an educational nonprofit organization, SPUSA does not adopt advocacy
positions on policy or political issues or candidates. The organization posits that, in order to create effective social change, students must first understand the issues at stake, then contemplate their ethical and moral responsibility to themselves and to society as a whole. Its stated purpose is not to advance a particular ethical
viewpoint regarding scientific and technological issues, but rather to encourage students to consider ethics when thinking about the role of science and technology in society.
, Bertrand Russell
, and other eminent scientists issued a manifesto
urging scientists to "think in a new way" about their moral responsibilities in the nuclear age. In 1957, the first Pugwash Conference was held in Pugwash, Nova Scotia
, bringing together some of the greatest scientific minds to address nuclear weapons issues and the social responsibility of scientist
s. SPUSA strives to convene the next generation of scientists around today's parallel issues.
SPUSA is the US student affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
, recipients of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize
, and the U.S.A. affiliate of the International Student/Young Pugwash
.
A long-standing icon of the organization has been Albert Einstein
, for his commitment to advancing both science and its peaceful
use. Another icon is Professor Joseph Rotblat
, who was the co-founder of Pugwash and the only scientist to leave the Manhattan Project, refusing to work further on the atomic bomb after the Nazis were defeated. In response to Rotblat's call for an ethical Hippocratic Oath for scientists, Student Pugwash created a student pledge, calling young scientists to make a personal commitment to use science and technology in a socially responsible way. In 1999, Student Pugwash initiated the Joseph Rotblat Lecture on Science and Social Responsibility in honor of Rotblat's pioneering life dedicated to the responsible use of science.
in science and technology." It seeks to achieve this by:
Activities have included regional, national and international conferences, speaker events at campuses through a national chapter network, and compilation of issue briefs on scientific and technical issues of social importance. Student Pugwash also maintains a student email list, a web log covering the ethical intersection of science and technology policy, and a database of socially responsible employers.
A science and technology election guide for the 2004 U.S. presidential election was profiled in the journal Science
. This project was continued with the launch of From Electrons to Elections, a science and technology policy guide to the 2008 elections. From Electrons to Elections is a non-partisan resource designed to educate young voters on science, technology, and health issues and provide them with the platforms of the leading political candidates on these subjects.
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
in the 21st century. While run by a professional staff headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization uses a chapter-based model on U.S. college campuses. The student members discuss the ethical, social and global implications of advances in these fields and explore the pursuit of socially responsible careers involving science and technology. SPUSA is the U.S. affiliate of International Student/Young Pugwash
International Student/Young Pugwash
International Student/Young Pugwash is an international organization that promotes awareness and action among students and young professionals in relation to ethical implications of science and technology policy, particularly matters of international security and weapons of mass destruction...
and the US student affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs is an international organization that brings together scholars and public figures to work toward reducing the danger of armed conflict and to seek solutions to global security threats...
, recipients of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
.
As an educational nonprofit organization, SPUSA does not adopt advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
positions on policy or political issues or candidates. The organization posits that, in order to create effective social change, students must first understand the issues at stake, then contemplate their ethical and moral responsibility to themselves and to society as a whole. Its stated purpose is not to advance a particular ethical
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
viewpoint regarding scientific and technological issues, but rather to encourage students to consider ethics when thinking about the role of science and technology in society.
History
SPUSA was founded in 1979 by UC San Diego student Jeffrey Leifer, with the fundamental belief that young people play a vital role in determining the socially responsible application of science and technology. In 1955 Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, and social critic. At various points in his life he considered himself a liberal, a socialist, and a pacifist, but he also admitted that he had never been any of these things...
, and other eminent scientists issued a manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
urging scientists to "think in a new way" about their moral responsibilities in the nuclear age. In 1957, the first Pugwash Conference was held in Pugwash, Nova Scotia
Pugwash, Nova Scotia
-Notable residents:Notable current and former residents of Pugwash include:*Charles Aubrey Eaton , clergyman and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives, representing the from 1925–1933, and the from 1933-1953....
, bringing together some of the greatest scientific minds to address nuclear weapons issues and the social responsibility of scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
s. SPUSA strives to convene the next generation of scientists around today's parallel issues.
SPUSA is the US student affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs is an international organization that brings together scholars and public figures to work toward reducing the danger of armed conflict and to seek solutions to global security threats...
, recipients of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
, and the U.S.A. affiliate of the International Student/Young Pugwash
International Student/Young Pugwash
International Student/Young Pugwash is an international organization that promotes awareness and action among students and young professionals in relation to ethical implications of science and technology policy, particularly matters of international security and weapons of mass destruction...
.
A long-standing icon of the organization has been Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, for his commitment to advancing both science and its peaceful
Peace movement
A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war , minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation, often linked to the goal of achieving world peace...
use. Another icon is Professor Joseph Rotblat
Joseph Rotblat
Sir Joseph Rotblat, KCMG, CBE, FRS , was a Polish-born, British-naturalised physicist.His work on nuclear fallout was a major contribution to the agreement of the Partial Test Ban Treaty...
, who was the co-founder of Pugwash and the only scientist to leave the Manhattan Project, refusing to work further on the atomic bomb after the Nazis were defeated. In response to Rotblat's call for an ethical Hippocratic Oath for scientists, Student Pugwash created a student pledge, calling young scientists to make a personal commitment to use science and technology in a socially responsible way. In 1999, Student Pugwash initiated the Joseph Rotblat Lecture on Science and Social Responsibility in honor of Rotblat's pioneering life dedicated to the responsible use of science.
Mission and Activities
The mission of Student Pugwash USA is "to promote social responsibilitySocial responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the...
in science and technology." It seeks to achieve this by:
- "examining the societal impacts of science and technology;
- creating open and objective forums for debate;
- fostering the exchange of ideas among diverse communities;
- exploring solutions to current dilemmas in science and technology; and
- cultivating the analytical skills needed to address future challenges."
Activities have included regional, national and international conferences, speaker events at campuses through a national chapter network, and compilation of issue briefs on scientific and technical issues of social importance. Student Pugwash also maintains a student email list, a web log covering the ethical intersection of science and technology policy, and a database of socially responsible employers.
A science and technology election guide for the 2004 U.S. presidential election was profiled in the journal Science
Science (journal)
Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
. This project was continued with the launch of From Electrons to Elections, a science and technology policy guide to the 2008 elections. From Electrons to Elections is a non-partisan resource designed to educate young voters on science, technology, and health issues and provide them with the platforms of the leading political candidates on these subjects.
Pledge
To encourage commitment to socially responsible applications of science and technology, Student Pugwash USA offers the following pledge for individuals to sign:- "I promise to work for a better world, where science and technology are used in socially responsible ways. I will not use my education for any purpose intended to harm human beings or the environment. Throughout my career, I will consider the ethical implications of my work before I take action. While the demands placed upon me may be great, I sign this declaration because I recognize that individual responsibility is the first step on the path to peace."
Staff
- Sharlissa Moore, President and Secretary
- Kyle Gracey, Vice President and Treasurer
Board of directors
- Alan H. McGowan, Chair
- Debra Mathews, Ph.D., Vice Chair
- Kyle Gracey, Member
- Ben AustinBen AustinBenjamin James Austin OAM is an Elite Athlete with a Disability swimmer for Australia. His classification is S8 .-Personal:...
, Member - Cameron Bess, Member
- Paul BillingsPaul BillingsPaul Billings is an American doctor, lecturer, researcher, professor, and consultant on genetic information.-Background:Billings began his undergraduate education at UC Santa Cruz in 1970 and then transferred to UC San Diego in 1972...
, Ph.D., Member - Jeffrey Boutwell, Ph.D., Member
- Rita Colwell, Ph.D., Member
- Jessica Holsinger, Student Board Member
- Paul Jellinek, Ph.D., Member
- Jeffrey Leifer, Founder
- Margaret Mellon, Ph.D., Member
- Sharlissa Moore, Student Board Member
- Lina Nayak, Student Board Member
- Denis J. Prager, Ph.D., Member
- Eric RobertsEric RobertsEric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
, Ph.D., Member - J. Alex Webster, Student Board Member
- Charles Weiner, Ph.D., Member
See also
- Pugwash Conferences on Science and World AffairsPugwash Conferences on Science and World AffairsThe Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs is an international organization that brings together scholars and public figures to work toward reducing the danger of armed conflict and to seek solutions to global security threats...
- International Student/Young PugwashInternational Student/Young PugwashInternational Student/Young Pugwash is an international organization that promotes awareness and action among students and young professionals in relation to ethical implications of science and technology policy, particularly matters of international security and weapons of mass destruction...