PNNL

August 12-16, 2024

The Introduction to Arms Control Course at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers participants an opportunity to explore the current and future challenges facing treaty implementation, strategic stability, and verification technologies.

The course is open to early career participants who are interested in learning about the core technical, legal, and policy concepts associated with nuclear arms control. Visit the applicaton page for additional eligiblity requirements.

This week-long course includes classroom lectures, hands-on demonstrations of verification equipment, and tours of nuclear facilities. It also features interactive exercises, including a mock treaty negotiation and verification exercise. Participants will also meet with mid-career and experienced arms control professionals who will provide career overviews and advice.

There is no charge for the course; however, participants will need to check with their managers on funding for travel, lodging, and per diem (some working lunches will be catered). Information on travel arrangements, including local airports, car rental agencies, public transportation, and lodging options, will be provided to participants admitted to the course.

The course is funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Nuclear Verification. The first course was held July 24–28, 2023.

Learning Objectives

After participating in the course, participants should be able to:

• Define core concepts, including arms control, deterrence theory, and strategic stability.
• Describe the international law system, key treaty-making steps, and implementation and enforcement mechanisms.
• Describe the evolution of arms control agreements and technical verification measures; list current treaties in force.
• Identify methods of verifying compliance with arms control treaties.
• Explain current challenges facing arms control regimes.
• Discuss the technical needs for future arms control agreements.
• Identify skill sets and academic areas of study relevant to arms control careers and describe some related career pathways to arms control.

Throughout the course, participants will apply and practice arms control skills through interactive tabletop exercises.

Instructors

The instructors have extensive research and instructional experience in nonproliferation and arms control. The primary PNNL instructional team includes Michael Moore, Kate Doty, Jacob Benz, Bryce Farabaugh, and Glen Warren.

Other PNNL subject matter experts, as well as collaborators from Sandia National Laboratories, will lead modules and participate in career panels. Other guests may include leaders from the NNSA.

Past collaborators included the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Related Resources

Additional information for related Office of Nuclear Verification initiatives is available  through the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification and Quad Nuclear Verification Partnership.