Nuclear Studies Research Initiative

The center is proud to host the Nuclear Studies Research Initiative (NSRI), a major interdisciplinary program led by Professor Francis J. Gavin and Professor Jane Vaynman. NSRI was established to support and expand a renaissance in nuclear studies by creating a platform for intellectual exchange, cross-fertilization, and mentorship.
The initiative actively promotes work that transcends both national and disciplinary boundaries and seeks to contribute to addressing core policy challenges. Created in 2013, NSRI has been generously supported by both the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the MacArthur Foundation.
Through its workshops and collaborations, the project has been highly effective in improving academic scholarship on nuclear questions; the majority of original research presented at NSRI events has been published in top peer-reviewed journals. NSRI has facilitated unique connections between scholars across fields which have led to fruitful research collaborations and increased participation of younger academics in policy debates.

The project seeks to expand upon its previous work by establishing a regular forum for emerging research; promoting further cross-pollination of ideas; and moving to directly facilitate reexamination of common wisdoms through the creation of a focused experts group. We also seek to expand cross-disciplinary connections to include science and technology participants, as well as greater international representation. Going forward, NSRI will identify and support the best cutting edge work in nuclear studies. NSRI will create the intellectual and collaborative space for scholars to step beyond the narrower focus of academic research and tackle the big questions which can impact policy long term.
NSRI, in collaboration with the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH), recently concluded the 2019 NSRI Conference, Rethinking the Nuclear Future: Perspectives from Europe and America, which took place in Hamburg, Germany from December 12-15, 2019.
Virtual Learning Exchange:
We welcome professors teaching on nuclear studies, international security, and nuclear adjacent issues to join us for our Spring 2021 meeting on Friday, January 22 at 1pm EST. You can sign-up to join our meeting here:
JOIN SPRING SEMESTER PLANNING SESSION
The NSRI Virtual Learning Exchange is committed to providing professors in the nuclear studies, political science, history, international relations, security, and related fields, with tools to teach in multi-media and engaging ways in the new virtual realties of our time. Members of our exchange share resources, video clips of lectures, and helpful in-class assignments that make virtual teaching and learning more exciting and engaging for students studying nuclear and international security topics. We welcome you to learn more about this initaitive by attending our spring meeting; you can sign-up at the link above. If you have questions about the program, please email Diane Bernabei at dbernab1@jhu.edu.
Featured Events
- NSRI Workshop 2013
October 16-17
Cedar Creek, Texas
- NSRI Workshop 2015
April 30 - May 3
Warrenton, Virginia
- NSRI Conference 2015
January 8-10
Melbourne, Australia
- NSRI Workshop 2016
February 25-26
Austin, Texas
- NSRI Workshop 2017
September 15-16
White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia
- NSRI Conference 2019
December 12-15
Hamburg, Germany
Featured Publications

Texas National Security Review

Reassessing the Global Nuclear Order