On 20–23 January, SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) held an intensive online course on the impact of contemporary geopolitical challenges and novel technologies on the proliferation, development and risk of use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)—and the mechanisms to address them, including efforts towards arms control and disarmament.

Participants included graduate and postgraduate students in technical or natural science disciplines, as well as early-career professionals in relevant fields.

The course covered the fundamentals of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; the non-proliferation and disarmament regimes designed to control them; the impact of novel technologies and recent geopolitical changes on WMD proliferation, disarmament, and nuclear security; the proliferation risks associated with natural sciences and engineering skills and knowledge; and potential career paths in non-proliferation and disarmament of WMD. The course also explored the role of EU institutions and industry in addressing the challenges mentioned above.

Course instructors included renowned experts on non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, export controls, verification and related subjects from SIPRI, other European research centres, think tanks and international organizations.