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