This lecture, given by Professor Andrew Stirling from the University of Sussex, will apply key approaches from science and technology studies to illuminate hidden drivers of energy policy in the UK and other countries. These methods will be used to examine how powerful interests are (in their own words) “masking” costs of expensive military nuclear activities behind flows of funding for a ‘civil’ “nuclear industrial base”. Strong evidence emerges from official sources and government-funded research that both public and expert imaginaries are being actively warped. As a result, electricity is made less affordable, energy less secure, electricity infrastructures more vulnerable and climate action slower, more costly and less effective than is otherwise possible. Extending far beyond energy and climate politics alone, grave implications arise for wider governance of science and technology and general democratic practice.
The lecture will be held on Thursday 17 September 2026 from 6.15pm to 8pm at the Institute for Safe Autonomy. Admission is free, but please book using this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whats-really-driving-the-uks-nuclear-strategy-tickets-1989658168141?aff=oddtdtcreator