[NOTICES] New Research Network for the Study of Societal Collapse and Infrastructure Resilience

We are writing to invite graduate students and faculty members with an interest in the topics of critical infrastructure protection and societal collapse to join the Black Sky Resilience Group (BSRG). The BSRG is an interdisciplinary research network newly established with generous funding from the University of Cambridge’s ‘In Search of “Good” Energy Policy’ scheme. The BSRG aims to connect University of Cambridge researchers from across disciplines whose work touches on themes of critical infrastructure protection, global catastrophic risk and the prospective collapse of industrialised society.

The Group’s name is taken from a recent term coined by the Electric Infrastructure Security (EIS) Council. As defined by the EIS Council, black sky hazards are catastrophic events that could severely disrupt the normal functioning of critical infrastructures in multiple regions for long durations. Such hazards include but are by no means limited to: electromagnetic pulses; solar storms; cyberattacks and severe weather events.

In order to start the interdisciplinary discussion that is needed to address black sky resilience, we will be developing a series of roundtable events over the summer period. These events will also provide an early opportunity to collectively outline the aims and activities of the research group. We eventually hope to bring industry leaders, policymakers and researchers together.

If you would like to join in these discussions or if you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive updates on the BSRG’s activities, please contact Alexander Taylor (aret2@cam.ac.uk) and Henri van Soest (hv271@cam.ac.uk). We will shortly be launching a website, which will serve as a public outreach portal. It will also feature the names and bios of people in the Black Sky Resilience Group.