By Julian Schäfer. Over the past year, the VeSPoTec project has been actively involved in various events and initiatives. These activities have allowed us to share our research, collaborate with experts, and contribute to discussions on nuclear disarmament and nuclear verification. This recap provides an overview of the key events and achievements from the past year.

VeSPoTec at the 55th “AFK-Kolloquium”

VeSPoTec participated in the 55th “AFK-Kolloquium” of the German Association of Peace and Conflict Studies. The theme was “Disciplines of peace and conflict research in dialog: Synergies, similarities and differences with scientific-technical peace research.” Five members of the VeSPoTec consortium shared their interdisciplinary experiences and presented their current research. Members shared insights on how verification technology transitions from R&D to the IAEA’s verification regime, introduced an innovative approach to understanding nuclear archaeology in verification, and explored the complexities of a nuclear-proliferating Iran using game theory.

Workshop on IAEA’s Role in Nuclear Disarmament Verification

On April 8, 2024, VeSPoTec (HumTec, University Duisburg-Essen, Forschungszentrum Jülich) and the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) held a workshop discussing the potential role of the IAEA in verifying the reduction and elimination of military nuclear stockpiles. Participants included senior practitioners from the field of nuclear verification and international safeguards. Experts engaged in negotiations, discussing the challenges and potential frameworks for effective verification.

Interview on Nuclear Testing in the Marshall Islands

Linda Ostermann and Julian Schäfer (HumTec) interviewed Benetick Kabua Maddison, Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, about the long-term effects of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands and the need for a new Compact of Free Association with the US. The published interview can be found here.

VeSPoTec at the AMC Annual Conference 2024

VeSPoTec members (University Duisburg-Essen, NVD, HumTec) attended the AMC Annual Conference in Uppsala, Sweden, focusing on nuclear disarmament. They presented five projects, including topics like the IAEA’s technology adoption, trust in nuclear verification, and nuclear archaeology. Furthermore, Insights from verification exercises were shared, highlighting the importance of reliable information in different safeguards scenarios.

INMM Annual Meeting

The VeSPoTec members Prof. Dr. Malte Göttsche (NVD), Dr. Irmgard Niemeyer (Forschungszentrum Jülich) and Lukas Rademacher (NVD) participated in the INMM Annual Meeting. The event focused on “Nuclear Stewardship in an Age of New Technology and Global Tensions,” discussing nuclear safety and security amidst emerging threats. Members presented research on forensic measurements for nuclear archaeology, reconstructing nuclear histories with archives, and findings from a safeguards tabletop exercise. The conference provided valuable feedback and discussions, with plans for future participation.

Side Event at the 68th IAEA General Conference

Members of VeSPoTec, Dr. Irmgard Niemeyer, Dr. Neslihan Yanikömer and Julian Schäfer (Forschungszentrum Jülich, HumTec) contributed to the IAEA General Conference with a side Event on “Navigating Crisis Scenarios in Safeguards Implementation”. The panel, featuring experts from VERTIC and VCDNP, emphasized the need for flexible and adaptive safeguards. Discussions highlighted the psychological stress on inspectors and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance resilience.

“Verifikation in Zeiten von Misstrauen und Fehlinformation”

In a world full of misinformation, verification mechanisms are crucial for maintaining stability and trust. At a VeSPoTec event in Berlin, Prof. Dr. Malte Göttsche PRIF und TU Darmstadt, Dr. Kadri Reis (PRIF), Linda Ostermann (HumTec), and Dr. Leonardo Bandarra (University Duisburg-Essen) discussed the future of verification regimes and the importance of maintaining expertise even when treaties are no longer in effect. The event stressed the need for innovative approaches to verification in an era of distrust.

We returned to Aachen full of new ideas, valuable feedback, and inspiration for future collaborations. The diverse discussions and presentations at these events have enriched our understanding and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in peace and conflict research. We are excited to continue our work and look forward to sharing our progress of the next year. Thank you to all participants and organizers for making these events so productive and insightful.