A Healthy Alliance? Universities and the Military

The US military budget for fiscal year 2015 is $756.4 billion, the second largest Federal expenditure after Social Security ($896 billion).  Of the military's $756 billion budget, approximately $80 billion is allocated for weapons research and development.  And finally, of that $80 billion for weapons research and development, approximately $12 billion is awarded to American universities.

On Thursday, November 13th, Radius will host Jonathan King, Professor of Biology and Subrata Ghoshroy, Research Affiliate, Program in Science, Technology and Society.  They will discuss these issues and more in our program, "The Militarization of the University".  Professor King will focus on biological weapons and Mr. Ghoshroy on American universities' growing dependence on the Pentagon for research dollars.

Throughout the Cold War, and now--a quarter of a century after its end--the military and American universities have shared an interdependence that invites questioning.  Is it ethical for universities to be engaged in weapons research?  What are the ramifications of such relationships?  What does it mean for academic and intellectual freedom? 

Please join us for this compelling and provocative discussion. Refreshments will be served.

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