Drones
The Birmingham Policy Commission on the Security Impact of Drones: Challenges and Opportunities for the UK examined the security implications for the British Government of drone technology, both civil and military. The Commission brought together leading academics, NGO experts and distinguished former public servants. It was chaired by Sir David Omand, former UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator and a former Permanent Secretary of the Home Office and Director of GCHQ.
Researchers in the ICCS continue to engage with government, law enforcement and private sector bodies to analyse the threats posed by the revolution in small drone technology. The current project, led by Prof David H Dunn and funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung, investigates the potential criminal or terrorist uses of small drones in various civil and commercial contexts and provides policy recommendations for future regulation.
David H Dunn gives evidence to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee
Contact: d.h.dunn@bham.ac.uk
Research project: Nefarious Criminal and Terrorist Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Responsible Nuclear Sovereignty
Researchers are working closely with partners the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) on a collaborative project designed to develop international understanding, dialogue, and norms on the responsibilities of states around nuclear weapons.
The Programme held several roundtables in 2019 – in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Geneva – aimed at introducing the project to policymakers, think tanks, academia, civil society and military representatives in key international communities.
Report: Responsible Nuclear Sovereignty and the Future of the Global Nuclear Order (PDF)
Report: Common but Differentiated Nuclear Responsibilities (PDF)
Report: Nuclear Responsibilities in an Interconnected World (PDF)
Honorary Professor Paul Schulte is actively involved as an Ambassador for the ICCS’s nuclear work, including participation in the highly respected ‘Trilateral Nuclear Dialogue’ that brings together US, UK, and French nuclear practitioners.
Contact: n.j.wheeler@bham.ac.uk
Research project: Nuclear Responsibilities
Political Settlements
The ICCS is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Network of Think Tanks and Academic Institutions, an autonomous Track II initiative. The network’s members are engaged in academic research and policy analysis on issues relevant to the OSCE’s security agenda.
In 2017, Prof Stefan Wolff led a project on OSCE Confidence-Building in the Economic and Environmental Dimension, which published its findings in a final report.
Contact: Professor Stefan Wolff s.wolff@bham.ac.uk, Dr Nino Kemoklidze n.kemoklidze@bham.ac.uk and Dr Argyro Kartsonaki a.kartsonaki@bham.ac.uk
Economic Connectivity and Diplomacy 
A new report by Stefan Wolff assesses the unique role played by the OSCE in promoting and enhancing economic connectivity within and across its participating states. The report argues that connectivity is crucial to inclusive economic development in the OSCE area. The report was launched at a side event at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan in December 2018. It has been recommended as a “Good Read” in the OSCE magazine and featured on the Infrastructure Channel.
The report is available to download in English and Russian.
Contact:s.wolff@bham.ac.uk