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Finding an Ethical Career in Science, Design and
Technology
Dr Stuart Parkinson
http://www.sgr.org.uk/
Scientists for Global Responsibility
• Independent organisation of 1000 natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, architects, IT workers
• Promotes science, design and technology which contributes to reduction of conflict, environmental protection, social justice
• Ethical careers publications and website
• Education and support network
http://www.sgr.org.uk/
Why an ethical career in science, design and technology?
• Global environmental damage– Actions and policies during the next 10y very likely to decide
whether the world will experience dangerous, irreversible climate change
– Current extinction rate for wildlife could be 1000 times the nature level
• 300,000 people die each year in wars• ~1 million people killed each year in road crashes• Over 1 billion people live in absolute povertyScience, design and technology can help tackle these
problems or can make them worse
UK Government R&D expediture by end-use (2003-4)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Industrial development
Energy
Infrastructure
Environmental protection
Health
Social development and services
Earth and atmosphere
Advancement of knowledge
Civil space
Defence
Other
£ millions
UK business R&D expenditure by end-use (2003) (selected)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Agriculture etc
Food etc
Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Mechanical machinery etc
Electrical mach.
Post & telecomms
Radio & TV comms
Motor vehicles
Aerospace
Precision instruments
Mining etc
Fossil fuel/ nuclear processing
Electricity, gas, water supply
Recycling
R&D services
Computers etc
£ millions
Civil
Military
UK personnel in R&D (2003-04)
Business61%
GovernmentDept4%
ResearchCouncils
4%
Universities28%
Non-profit3%
Total: 267,000
Govt 10y science & innovation plan
• Timescale: 2004 - 2014
• Economic and military aims dominant
• Pushing closer collaboration between universities and business
• Some significant environmental, health programmes
Rise of the ‘green collar’ sector
• Global market for environmental products and services worth ~€1,000,000,000,000
• About 2.3 million work in renewable energy industries worldwide
• Environmental industries employ over 400,000 people in the UK
Low carbon economy in the UK
• New targets on renewable energy expansion
• National Home Energy Saving Programme
• New ‘Super Express’ trains
• New support for ‘greener cars’
• Carbon Trust
• Building Schools for the Future
Green jobs – some examples
• Research– e.g. climate scientist, ecologist, agricultural scientist
• Engineering– e.g. renewable energy, home insulation, efficiency in industry
• Project management– Key in making things happen
• Environmental consultancy– Advice to industry & government on reducing emissions
• Education and campaigning• Green economics
– e.g. designing and implementing eco-taxes, carbon trading
More possibilities…
• Health charities are major R&D funders
• Research Council programmes on sustainable energy, sustainable agriculture, health inequalities, understanding conflict
• Growing number of courses on environmental/ development/ security issues
Guiding principles
1. Apply precautionary principle
2. Guard against malicious use
3. Follow democratic principles
4. Consider distributional effects Look for contribution to peace, social
justice, and environmental sustainability
Which Employer?
Work Freedom
Influence on Policy
Influence on Technology
Ask ethical questions?
Pay
Academia
?
Government
Industry (big)
Industry (small)
Non-profit (eg pressure group)
Tips on being successful…
• Educate yourself on the wider social/ environmental issues affecting your field
• Don’t be fooled by ‘greenwash’
• Incrementalist or revolutionary?
• Develop your ‘transferable skills’
• Get voluntary/ vacation experience beyond science & technology
• Get support
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