[Doctoral seminar] Arms control and emerging disruptive technologies

The first 2023 arms control seminar features the topic of ‘Arms Control and Emerging Disruptive Technologies’. Over the last half century, states gradually developed an effective system of agreements, organisations and processes to regulate chemical, biological, nuclear and certain conventional weapons. Yet many of these existing arms control regimes are ill-equipped to deal with twentieth-first century challenges. In particular, arms control is struggling to adapt to emerging disruptive technologies. Three challenges stand out: firstly, the acceleration of innovation by industrially advanced nations and the private sector; secondly, the digitisation of novel and existing weapons, platforms and systems; and thirdly, the risk of diffusion of dual-use technologies, including to nonstate actors. Traditional modernisation and augmentation processes cannot keep up with the rapid pace of technological change, requiring new approaches to counter future threats while still permitting technological innovation.

Seminar programme
The seminar is structured around four lectures. The first lecture will provide an overview of how emerging disruptive technologies are undermining existing arms control regimes. Followed by three further lectures on the topics of:

1. managing risk from dual use biotechnologies
2. autonomous weapons systems and international humanitarian law
3. export controls and the digitisation of dual use technologies

After the lectures, the participants will engage in a roundtable discussion about their research topics, guided by Asser Institute researchers. During the roundtable session, the participating doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers have the option to give individual 15-minute formal presentations on their research. 

Participation in the workshop is extended to approximately 10 doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers who are currently conducting research in arms control, whether from legal, historical, political or theoretical perspectives. Please email Thea Coventry (t.coventry@asser.nl) to apply for the event by Monday 16 June 2023, including your position, university affiliation and area of research. Participants wishing to present their research should additionally submit a short abstract on their presentation topic by email to Thea Coventry by 23 June 2023. Acceptance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendance is in-person. 

Download the programme.

Timeline

The Asser Institute Doctoral Seminar Series on International Arms Control Law
The Asser Institute Doctoral Seminar Series on International Arms Control Law is an initiative of the Arms Control L Hub and provides a select number of early career researchers with insights into the current and future issues raised by arms control with perspectives from international law and related disciplines. At each seminar, academics and practitioners deliver several expert lectures on international arms control regimes, institutional and procedural frameworks for control and disarmament, international political perspectives, as well as emerging issues and trends. Additionally, the seminar provides an opportunity for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to discuss their research in the field of Arms Control to foster interdisciplinary exchange among peers in a low-stakes environmentative of the Arms Control Law Hub and provides a select number of early career researchers with insights into the current and future issues raised by arms control with perspectives from international law and related disciplines. At each seminar, academics and practitioners deliver several expert lectures on international arms control regimes, institutional and procedural frameworks for control and disarmament, international political perspectives, as well as emerging issues and trends. Additionally, the seminar provides an opportunity for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to discuss their research in the field of Arms Control to foster interdisciplinary exchange among peers in a low-stakes environment.