mark jansson's blog

The Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) is seeking an intern to support its effort to develop the next generation of leaders in nuclear science and policy. This effort is comprised of numerous activities, including a yearly Conference Series, the Nuclear Scholars Initiative, research by “next generation” working groups, international outreach events, a blog and associated live debate series, as well as other efforts.

Registration for the 2011 PONI Capstone Conference on December 6 will close at the end of the day today. Here is the agenda, registration link, and event page. It's been a great year for the conference series and the capstone conference is always a lot of fun. Contact Mark Jansson with questions. 

We are just about set for the 2011 PONI Capstone Conference on December 6th at U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha. As the culminating event of the 2011 PONI conference series, the event aims to bring together experts from across the country to discuss some of the new ideas presented during the year. The conference agenda, comprised of a selection of some of the best talks given at preceding PONI conferences this year, will cover a number of important issues related to nuclear strategy, policy, and science. An evening reception and dinner – both covered by PONI – will follow the presentation panels.

Just a quick note to remind readers who are interested in attending the fall conference at Livermore to register by this Friday, August 26th. The two-day event will feature panels on a variety of topics, including: 

• Stockpile Sustainment and the Future of the Nuclear Enterprise;
• Nuclear Forensics Science and Technology;
• Enhancing Monitoring and Enforcement to Counter Nuclear Threats;
• Improving Nuclear Security while Expanding Access to Nuclear Energy: New Policy Approaches and Technical Advancements;
• The Nuclear Disarmament Process: Challenges and Possible Solutions;
• Assessing Legislative Politics and Ways Forward for Nuclear Policy; and
• Exploring New Dimensions of Nuclear Strategy

We're still chasing smart people to serve as our panel moderators, but the agenda is otherwise set. There will be tours of some of the lab's facilities, an evening dinner and reception, and more than enough nuclear science and policy ideas to talk about. Check out the event page for details on the program and the conference. And click here to go directly to the registration site. Hope to see you there! 

Next week the U.S. Institute of Peace will be running an "Advanced Issues in Strategic Arms Control" program designed for next generation arms controllers. The website describes the program as follows. 

This course provides an introduction to the major arms control issues of the early 21st century, including strategic arms reductions, fissile material cutoff, nuclear testing, space, and cybersecurity.

The course provides an in-depth look at the objectives and evolution of strategic nuclear arms control from SALT 1 to the present day, and examines critical decisions in arms control and the implecations for world security, including potential avenues for a New START follow-on, prospects for bringing third party countries into negotiations, and the nuclear zero issue.

Simulations and group discussions sharpen participants' analytical skills.

As long as nuclear weapons exist, there will be nuclear arms control. Platitudes aside, this could be a great opportunity for grad students and other young professionals in the field to gain some in-depth knowledge and exposure to top experts in the field. Mike Lekson, Steve Pifer, Elaine Bunn, Jennifer Laurendeau, and Barry Blechman are involved along with others. 

The application instructions aren't entirely clear on this point, but the course fee is $195.

Bruce MacDonald is running the program with help from Brian Rose. Email Brian at brose@usip.org with questions. 

The State Department's Office of Multilateral Nuclear Affairs is looking for a physical scientist to support several nuclear security efforts, including IAEA safeguards design and implementation; technical issues related to the NPT; nuclear material protection, control and accounting; and FMCT issues. The basic requirement is an undergraduate or graduate degree in physical science, engineering or mathematics, so this could be a great opportunity for young scientist looking to break into the field. 

Check out the job description here. The closing date for the announcement is July 22. 

The summer conference at CSIS is less than a week away. Registration will be closing at midnight on July 3rd. Relevant links: 

• Event Page
• Registration Site

Please contact Mark Jansson at mjansson@csis.org with any questions. 

The PONI Summer Conference presentation proposal deadline is June 1st. Those interested in delivering a presentation at the conference can reference the call for presentations posted on the event website. 

The conference is designed to give center stage to up-and-coming experts in the field and to bring new insights to bear on broader discussions on nuclear strategy and policy. PONI conferences draw a mixed audience – junior and senior, policy and technical, liberal and conservative – and the topics covered are wide-ranging, from proliferation-resistant reactor technologies to arms control to deterrence.  

Those interested in delivering a presentation at the summer conference should submit an abstract of no more than two pages that includes (1) a notional title of the presentation, (2) a brief overview of the issue to be addressed, and (3) a summary of the argument to be presented.

Travel assistance is indeed available for students and others lacking institutional support. To encourage a robust science-policy dialogue, a $500 honorarium is on offer for presentations that cover the technical aspects of nuclear forensics and detection and verification capabilities.

Contact Mark Jansson at mjansson@csis.org with any questions.