Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists' Nuclear Information Project, discusses the role of scientists and advocacy groups in promoting the facts and fact-based decision making as it pertains to nuclear weapons around the globe.

1. Scientists as Advocates, Activists,
and News Media Briefers
Hans M. Kristensen
Federation of American Scientists
hkristensen@fas.org
202-454-4695
Presentation to
Virtual Intern and Fellows Program,
Scientists and Engineers for America
October 13, 2009

2. Background
• From Activist to “Expert”
– Greenpeace (1981-1995)
– Nautilus Institute (1996-2002)
– Natural Resources Defense Council (2003-2005)
• Federation of American Scientists (2005-)
– Director, Nuclear Information Project: public
education project on status of nuclear forces and
operations
– Author: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, SIPRI
Yearbook, reports, articles
– Researcher: Freedom of Information Act
Hans M. Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists, October 13, 2009 Slide 2

3. Background
• Examples of Work: Expansion of US nuclear doctrine
– From “nuclear” to “WMD” (1995-2000)
– Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations (2001-2005)
– Regional strike plans (2006-2009)
Hans M. Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists, October 13, 2009 Slide 3

4. Background
• Examples of Work: Chinese nuclear forces
– Nuclear Notebook (2001-)
– FAS/NRDC report (2006)
– New submarine (2007)
– Submarine patrols
Hans M. Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists, October 13, 2009 Slide 4

5. Advice For Scientists
…on working as advocates and activists:
Key functions:
– Add substance and authority to debate versus just opinions
– Verify/check/challenge validity of information used in debate
– If you don’t believe in it, don’t do it
– Pursue your issue; find you niche
– Always challenge assumptions, most importantly your own
– Be passionate but don’t preach
– Don’t demonize; respect and learn from “the other side”
– Remember: Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence
Hans M. Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists, October 13, 2009 Slide 5

6. Advice For Scientists
…on speaking efficiently to the press:
Scientists advising news media more important than ever
– Media pressure on journalists to produce more stories; fewer “deep”
journalists with institutional and factual knowledge
– Fast flux of Internet means less time on research and more time chasing
stories; unsubstantiated rumors and errors proliferate with light-speed
– Simplify but don’t simplify
– Build up service-relationship with issue reporters; they’ll call back
– Don’t overload; make sure you’ve got the news
– Let the material speak for itself; don’t overdo/oversell
– Say “I don’t know” if you don’t know; honesty builds trust
Hans M. Kristensen, Federation of American Scientists, October 13, 2009 Slide 6