Interdisciplinary Approaches to Interdisciplinary Approaches to Nonproliferation EducationNonproliferation Education

Fred WehlingFred WehlingMonterey Institute of Monterey Institute of International StudiesInternational Studies

Prepared for UT-ORNL workshop Prepared for UT-ORNL workshop “Nuclear Security Education: The “Nuclear Security Education: The

Intersection of Policy, Science, Intersection of Policy, Science, and Technology ,” Knoxville, July and Technology ,” Knoxville, July

19-23 2010 19-23 2010

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Overview and Overview and ObjectivesObjectives

Nonproliferation education requires Nonproliferation education requires integration of science, technology, and integration of science, technology, and policypolicy

Many ways to meet this challengeMany ways to meet this challenge

Successful interdisciplinary approaches are…Successful interdisciplinary approaches are…RespectfulRespectfulPracticalPracticalCollaborativeCollaborative

Examples from programs conducted by Examples from programs conducted by Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Center for Nonproliferation Studies and educational partnerseducational partners

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The James Martin The James Martin Center for Center for Nonproliferation Nonproliferation StudiesStudies

The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at

the Monterey Institute of International Studies is the largest nongovernmental organization in

the United States devoted exclusively to research and

training on nonproliferation issues. It strives to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction) by training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and

disseminating timely information and analysis.

cns.miis.edu 3

The Monterey The Monterey Institute Institute

of International of International StudiesStudies

The Monterey Institute of The Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) is a International Studies (MIIS) is a private educational institution private educational institution located in Monterey, Californialocated in Monterey, California

Founded 1955; became a Founded 1955; became a graduate school of Middlebury graduate school of Middlebury College in 2010College in 2010

Close to 800 graduate students in Close to 800 graduate students in MA programs in international MA programs in international policy, business, language policy, business, language education, and translation & education, and translation & interpretationinterpretation

Over 350 students graduated Over 350 students graduated with Certificate in with Certificate in Nonproliferation Studies 1997-Nonproliferation Studies 1997-20102010

Launched world’s first M.A. Launched world’s first M.A. degree in Nonproliferation and degree in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies in Fall 2010Terrorism Studies in Fall 20104

Creating a Respectful Creating a Respectful EnvironmentEnvironment

Everybody’s differentEverybody’s different

In an adult learning environment, In an adult learning environment, everyoneeveryone has has something to learn something to learn and and something to teachsomething to teach

360°Classroom360°Classroom

Treat everyone as equally Treat everyone as equally intelligentintelligent even when even when they are not equally they are not equally knowledgeableknowledgeable on specific on specific subjectssubjects

Encourage everyone to contribute and to receive Encourage everyone to contribute and to receive others’ contributionsothers’ contributions Require learners to create contentRequire learners to create content Questions are golden opportunitiesQuestions are golden opportunities

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International Nuclear International Nuclear Safeguards Policy and Safeguards Policy and

Information Analysis CourseInformation Analysis Course Partnership with Lawrence Livermore Partnership with Lawrence Livermore

National Laboratories sponsored by National Laboratories sponsored by USDOE Next Generation Safeguards USDOE Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI)Initiative (NGSI)

Intensive one-week course for Intensive one-week course for graduate students and young graduate students and young professionalsprofessionals

75 students from 12 countries in 75 students from 12 countries in three courses 2008-10 including IAEA three courses 2008-10 including IAEA and LLNL junior staffand LLNL junior staff

Presentations by policy and technical Presentations by policy and technical experts from national laboratories, experts from national laboratories, CNS, IAEA, private sectorCNS, IAEA, private sector

Simulations of State Evaluation Simulations of State Evaluation process and IAEA Board of Governors process and IAEA Board of Governors resolutionresolution

Experts learn from each otherExperts learn from each other

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Keeping it PracticalKeeping it Practical

““How will this help me do my job?”How will this help me do my job?”

Answer that question for policy, science, and technical Answer that question for policy, science, and technical specialistsspecialists

Design backwards, deliver forwardsDesign backwards, deliver forwards Begin course design with learning objectives (applicable Begin course design with learning objectives (applicable

knowledge and demonstrable skills) knowledge and demonstrable skills) Begin content delivery with premises and principlesBegin content delivery with premises and principles

In an interdisciplinary course, minimize abstract theoryIn an interdisciplinary course, minimize abstract theory Requires deep background knowledge that many learners Requires deep background knowledge that many learners

won’t havewon’t have ““Academic disputes are so intense because the stakes are so Academic disputes are so intense because the stakes are so

small.”small.” Save it for discipline-specific coursesSave it for discipline-specific courses

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Train-the-Trainers Train-the-Trainers WorkshopsWorkshops

Series of CNS workshops Series of CNS workshops for developing for developing nonproliferation faculty in nonproliferation faculty in China, Russia, FSU, and China, Russia, FSU, and other countriesother countries

Participating faculty from Participating faculty from departments of physics, departments of physics, international relations, international relations, languages, etc.languages, etc.

Conducted in language of Conducted in language of instructioninstruction

Include model Include model instructional materials instructional materials and recommended and recommended resourcesresources

Follow-up with Follow-up with community-building community-building activitiesactivities

Moscow Seminar on Education and Moscow Seminar on Education and Training in Nuclear Security, Training in Nuclear Security, Nonproliferation, and MPC&A, Nonproliferation, and MPC&A, November 2006November 2006

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Making them Work Making them Work TogetherTogether

Real-world proliferation problems can only be solved Real-world proliferation problems can only be solved by collaborative effortsby collaborative efforts InterdisciplinaryInterdisciplinary InteragencyInteragency InternationalInternational

Collaboration does not come naturally to many of usCollaboration does not come naturally to many of us ““Collaboration is twice is hard because you have to Collaboration is twice is hard because you have to

agree on everything.”agree on everything.” ““I love to collaborate as long as I can work alone.”I love to collaborate as long as I can work alone.”

Organize interdisciplinary teams for problem-based Organize interdisciplinary teams for problem-based learninglearning

Apply real-life conditions and constraintsApply real-life conditions and constraints

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Arms Control Arms Control SimulationsSimulations

Part of Nonproliferation Studies Part of Nonproliferation Studies curriculum for 20+ yearscurriculum for 20+ years

Based on current or future Based on current or future nonproliferation or arms control nonproliferation or arms control negotiationsnegotiations New STARTNew START Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Non-Proliferation Treaty Review

ConferenceConference

Teams of students required to do Teams of students required to do what negotiators dowhat negotiators do Draft treaty textDraft treaty text Report to governmentsReport to governments Testify in hearingsTestify in hearings Maintain information securityMaintain information security Interact offlineInteract offline

Input and assessment from Input and assessment from experienced negotiatorsexperienced negotiators

Students observe actual Students observe actual negotiations when possiblenegotiations when possible

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US-Russian New START simulation, US-Russian New START simulation, Fall 2009Fall 2009

IAEA Director-General Yukia Amano IAEA Director-General Yukia Amano meets with CNS students and staff, April meets with CNS students and staff, April

20102010

It’s Worth The EffortIt’s Worth The Effort

Nonproliferation requires science and policy Nonproliferation requires science and policy professionals to work togetherprofessionals to work together

Interdisciplinary learning requires more effort Interdisciplinary learning requires more effort but produces better resultsbut produces better results

Programs that are respectful, practical, and Programs that are respectful, practical, and collaborative offer the greatest chance of collaborative offer the greatest chance of successsuccess

CNS and MIIS look forward to continuing CNS and MIIS look forward to continuing collaboration with university, government, NGO, collaboration with university, government, NGO, and industry partners for innovation in and industry partners for innovation in nonproliferation educationnonproliferation education

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Questions?Questions?

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Thanks!Thanks!

Fred Wehling, Ph.D.Fred Wehling, Ph.D.Education Coordinator, Center for Education Coordinator, Center for

Nonproliferation StudiesNonproliferation StudiesAssociate Professor ,Graduate School of Associate Professor ,Graduate School of

International Policy StudiesInternational Policy StudiesMonterey Institute of International StudiesMonterey Institute of International Studies460 Pierce Street460 Pierce StreetMonterey, CA 93940 USAMonterey, CA 93940 USAPhone: +1-831-647-3084Phone: +1-831-647-3084Fax: +1-831-647-3519Fax: +1-831-647-3519Email: fwehling@miis.eduEmail: fwehling@miis.eduInternet: Internet: http://cns.miis.edu

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