First Nuclear Verification Winter School
By Leonardo Bandarra. The first Nuclear Verification Winter School took place at the University of Duisburg-Essen from February 10 to 14, 2025. This four-day event was organized as part of VeSPoTec (“Verification in a Complex and Unpredictable World: Social, Political, and Technical Processes”), a research consortium funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), in collaboration with the University of Duisburg-Essen.
The Winter School provided 20 participants from around the world with a unique opportunity to attend lectures by renowned experts on various aspects of nuclear verification and apply their newly acquired knowledge in interactive exercises and simulations. The event served as a valuable platform for interdisciplinary and international exchange in two key ways. First, it brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to incorporate fresh perspectives on nuclear disarmament, verification, and safeguards. Second, its innovative interdisciplinary approach fostered collaboration between practitioners and researchers from both the natural and social sciences, encouraging dialogue on the social, technical, and political dimensions of nuclear verification and promoting joint problem-solving.
This approach proved highly beneficial for advancing nuclear verification research. The insights gained and the networks established during the event will have a lasting impact on both research and practice in this field, potentially leading to joint publications and further collaborations.
The Winter School also underscored the significance of the VeSPoTec project, which seeks to establish a new regional center for interdisciplinary peace research. It demonstrated how integrating different disciplines and perspectives can enhance our understanding of complex challenges in nuclear verification.
Below are testimonies from some of the participants:
'I am grateful to VeSPoTec and organizer team who has given me an opportunity of in-person learning (first time) in the EU. It was a great experience that not only helped me to understand basic concepts of nuclear verification but explore Germany too. The lectures and presentations of this school were very informative, which helped me to understand everything regarding verification and safeguards. The participant’s exercises were really interesting to know all the participants and deep learning about the safeguards and verification. It is a lifetime memorable learning experience for me that would help me to link multiple security areas.'
- Sonia Naz, Pakistan
'VeSPoTec's Nuclear Verification Winter School Advancing Interdisciplinary Approaches provided a very stimulating environment to discuss and learn about the newest developments in nuclear verification research. Moreover, the week in Duisburg provided a perfect platform to network with both scholars and practitioners involved in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique opportunity.'
- Robin Möser, Germany
'The Nuclear Verification Winter School was an invaluable opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and exchange. The mix of expertise, engaged lecturers and interested participants created the ideal environment for discussions and meeting great new people. For me, the lectures on the technical and physical aspects of nuclear verification were particularly instructive.'
- Philipp Fischer, Germany
'Joining the VeSPoTec Winter School on nuclear verification has been an enriching experience for me. Learning about the most recent technological developments on nuclear safeguards has been eye-opening. I particularly enjoyed the interdisciplinary character of this Winter School, as well as the interactive sessions in which we could apply our learnings.'
- Annemiek Dols, Nederlands
'The Nuclear Verification Winter School was an excellent opportunity to gain insights into nuclear verification from both natural and social science perspectives in a clear and engaging way. The diversity of participants also allowed rich and dense discussions from different national perspectives. I highly recommend this Winter School!'
- Douglas de Quadros, Brazil