Centre for the Study of Existential Risk
@cser.bsky.social
Cambridge University interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the study and mitigation of risks that could lead to human extinction or civilizational collapse.
📢 Funding deadline: 2 December 2025
Applying for the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
💡 Funding available — including the Lord Martin Rees Scholarships (Home students) and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (Developing Commonwealth countries).
Find out more: www.cser.ac.uk/education/mp...
Applying for the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
💡 Funding available — including the Lord Martin Rees Scholarships (Home students) and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (Developing Commonwealth countries).
Find out more: www.cser.ac.uk/education/mp...
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
📢 Funding deadline: 2 December 2025
Applying for the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
💡 Funding available — including the Lord Martin Rees Scholarships (Home students) and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (Developing Commonwealth countries).
Find out more: www.cser.ac.uk/education/mp...
Applying for the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
💡 Funding available — including the Lord Martin Rees Scholarships (Home students) and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (Developing Commonwealth countries).
Find out more: www.cser.ac.uk/education/mp...
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
🌲 Environmental hazard
This image depicts a floodplain, representing an area of regulated, human-engineering that dominates organic forms. The human-made city form is mimicked in the circuit board in the top left corner.
🌲 Environmental hazard
This image depicts a floodplain, representing an area of regulated, human-engineering that dominates organic forms. The human-made city form is mimicked in the circuit board in the top left corner.
November 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
🌲 Environmental hazard
This image depicts a floodplain, representing an area of regulated, human-engineering that dominates organic forms. The human-made city form is mimicked in the circuit board in the top left corner.
🌲 Environmental hazard
This image depicts a floodplain, representing an area of regulated, human-engineering that dominates organic forms. The human-made city form is mimicked in the circuit board in the top left corner.
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
💻 AI
This image links the history of coding with the risks and rewards of AI, highlighting its human and material roots in early weaving technologies.
💻 AI
This image links the history of coding with the risks and rewards of AI, highlighting its human and material roots in early weaving technologies.
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
💻 AI
This image links the history of coding with the risks and rewards of AI, highlighting its human and material roots in early weaving technologies.
💻 AI
This image links the history of coding with the risks and rewards of AI, highlighting its human and material roots in early weaving technologies.
“You don’t need to be a great leader to improve a complex system, you need curiosity, compassion, and courage.”
Thank you to everyone who attended 'Conversations on Existential Hope'!
If you’d like to learn more about the book 'Existential Hope', visit: www.sjbeard.com
Thank you to everyone who attended 'Conversations on Existential Hope'!
If you’d like to learn more about the book 'Existential Hope', visit: www.sjbeard.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
“You don’t need to be a great leader to improve a complex system, you need curiosity, compassion, and courage.”
Thank you to everyone who attended 'Conversations on Existential Hope'!
If you’d like to learn more about the book 'Existential Hope', visit: www.sjbeard.com
Thank you to everyone who attended 'Conversations on Existential Hope'!
If you’d like to learn more about the book 'Existential Hope', visit: www.sjbeard.com
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
Created by illustrator and Falmouth Lecturer Phyllida Bluemel in collaboration with Dr Lauren Holt, Research Affiliate at CSER, the images explore how existential risk can be visualised and understood.
Created by illustrator and Falmouth Lecturer Phyllida Bluemel in collaboration with Dr Lauren Holt, Research Affiliate at CSER, the images explore how existential risk can be visualised and understood.
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
👀 Have you spotted the new illustrations on our website?
Created by illustrator and Falmouth Lecturer Phyllida Bluemel in collaboration with Dr Lauren Holt, Research Affiliate at CSER, the images explore how existential risk can be visualised and understood.
Created by illustrator and Falmouth Lecturer Phyllida Bluemel in collaboration with Dr Lauren Holt, Research Affiliate at CSER, the images explore how existential risk can be visualised and understood.
Earlier this month, we welcomed the inaugural cohort of MPhil students in Global Risk and Resilience!
We look forward to supporting them as they begin an exciting year exploring the governance and mitigation of global catastrophic risks 🌍
We look forward to supporting them as they begin an exciting year exploring the governance and mitigation of global catastrophic risks 🌍
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Earlier this month, we welcomed the inaugural cohort of MPhil students in Global Risk and Resilience!
We look forward to supporting them as they begin an exciting year exploring the governance and mitigation of global catastrophic risks 🌍
We look forward to supporting them as they begin an exciting year exploring the governance and mitigation of global catastrophic risks 🌍
❓ Thinking about applying for our MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
Join our virtual open day on 3 November at 4pm (UK time) with Alexandru Marcoci and Charlotte Hammer to learn more about the course.
Register here: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/openday
Join our virtual open day on 3 November at 4pm (UK time) with Alexandru Marcoci and Charlotte Hammer to learn more about the course.
Register here: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/openday
October 22, 2025 at 9:47 AM
❓ Thinking about applying for our MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience?
Join our virtual open day on 3 November at 4pm (UK time) with Alexandru Marcoci and Charlotte Hammer to learn more about the course.
Register here: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/openday
Join our virtual open day on 3 November at 4pm (UK time) with Alexandru Marcoci and Charlotte Hammer to learn more about the course.
Register here: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/openday
CSER is looking for a Postgraduate Co-ordinator to support our new MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
📅 Deadline: Wednesday 5 November
🔗 Apply and learn more: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postgra...
📅 Deadline: Wednesday 5 November
🔗 Apply and learn more: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postgra...
October 20, 2025 at 9:36 AM
CSER is looking for a Postgraduate Co-ordinator to support our new MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
📅 Deadline: Wednesday 5 November
🔗 Apply and learn more: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postgra...
📅 Deadline: Wednesday 5 November
🔗 Apply and learn more: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/postgra...
📢 Deadline: 19th October 2025
We’re hiring a Teaching Associate to support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
Apply here: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/teachin...
We’re hiring a Teaching Associate to support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
Apply here: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/teachin...
October 14, 2025 at 8:23 AM
📢 Deadline: 19th October 2025
We’re hiring a Teaching Associate to support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
Apply here: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/teachin...
We’re hiring a Teaching Associate to support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
Apply here: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/teachin...
Today, we’re welcoming the very first cohort of students joining our MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
October 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Today, we’re welcoming the very first cohort of students joining our MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience!
-Sophie Cray, Postgraduate Co-ordinator. She has a broad background in Anthropology and Sociology which further led to her Master’s in Gastronomy. Her experience varies from being a Personal Assistant at Oxford University to interning with the World Food Programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
October 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
-Sophie Cray, Postgraduate Co-ordinator. She has a broad background in Anthropology and Sociology which further led to her Master’s in Gastronomy. Her experience varies from being a Personal Assistant at Oxford University to interning with the World Food Programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
-Alana Weir, Teaching Associate with a focus on disaster risk. Alana’s research interests include developing effective disaster risk assessment methodologies and partnering with stakeholders at the science-practice-policy interface to enhance disaster risk management.
October 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
-Alana Weir, Teaching Associate with a focus on disaster risk. Alana’s research interests include developing effective disaster risk assessment methodologies and partnering with stakeholders at the science-practice-policy interface to enhance disaster risk management.
-Alexandru Marcoci, Assistant Professor with a focus on AI. He has previously been a Research Fellow at Clare Hall, as well as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nottingham.
October 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
-Alexandru Marcoci, Assistant Professor with a focus on AI. He has previously been a Research Fellow at Clare Hall, as well as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nottingham.
-Charlotte Christiane Hammer (@epihammer.bsky.social),
Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
October 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
-Charlotte Christiane Hammer (@epihammer.bsky.social),
Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
-Sophie Cray, Postgraduate Co-ordinator. She has a broad background in Anthropology and Sociology which further led to her Master’s in Gastronomy. Her experience varies from being a Personal Assistant at Oxford University to interning with the World Food Programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
October 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
-Sophie Cray, Postgraduate Co-ordinator. She has a broad background in Anthropology and Sociology which further led to her Master’s in Gastronomy. Her experience varies from being a Personal Assistant at Oxford University to interning with the World Food Programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
-Alana Weir, Teaching Associate with a focus on disaster risk. Alana’s research interests include developing effective disaster risk assessment methodologies and partnering with stakeholders at the science-practice-policy interface to enhance disaster risk management.
October 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
-Alana Weir, Teaching Associate with a focus on disaster risk. Alana’s research interests include developing effective disaster risk assessment methodologies and partnering with stakeholders at the science-practice-policy interface to enhance disaster risk management.
-Alexandru Marcoci, Assistant Professor with a focus on AI. He has previously been a Research Fellow at Clare Hall, as well as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nottingham.
October 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
-Alexandru Marcoci, Assistant Professor with a focus on AI. He has previously been a Research Fellow at Clare Hall, as well as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nottingham.
-Charlotte Christiane Hammer (@epihammer.bsky.social), Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
October 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
-Charlotte Christiane Hammer (@epihammer.bsky.social), Assistant Professor. She specialises in outbreak science, pandemic preparedness & health security. She has over a decade of experience in infectious disease control, humanitarian operations & academic research & teaching in higher ed.
📢 We are hiring a Teaching Associate!
The fixed-term role will support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience.
The post is suited for someone wanting to increase their teaching experience and shape a new postgraduate course.
The fixed-term role will support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience.
The post is suited for someone wanting to increase their teaching experience and shape a new postgraduate course.
September 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
📢 We are hiring a Teaching Associate!
The fixed-term role will support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience.
The post is suited for someone wanting to increase their teaching experience and shape a new postgraduate course.
The fixed-term role will support the delivery of the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience.
The post is suited for someone wanting to increase their teaching experience and shape a new postgraduate course.
Curious about global catastrophic risks?
📖Our reading list offers a starting point with key resources on areas such as biorisk, natural risk and AI.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/work/cser-re...
📖Our reading list offers a starting point with key resources on areas such as biorisk, natural risk and AI.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/work/cser-re...
September 24, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Curious about global catastrophic risks?
📖Our reading list offers a starting point with key resources on areas such as biorisk, natural risk and AI.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/work/cser-re...
📖Our reading list offers a starting point with key resources on areas such as biorisk, natural risk and AI.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/work/cser-re...
Thank you to Professor Lorraine Daston for a fantastic lecture last night on how the insurance industry confronts catastrophic risk!
A recording will be available soon on our YouTube channel.
A recording will be available soon on our YouTube channel.
September 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Thank you to Professor Lorraine Daston for a fantastic lecture last night on how the insurance industry confronts catastrophic risk!
A recording will be available soon on our YouTube channel.
A recording will be available soon on our YouTube channel.
Thank you to James Bacchus for joining us at CSER last week to discuss his new book 'Democracy for a Sustainable World'.
His talk explored the urgent need for participatory democratic governance to address global challenges. Find out more about his book here: bit.ly/4mPfYeB
His talk explored the urgent need for participatory democratic governance to address global challenges. Find out more about his book here: bit.ly/4mPfYeB
September 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thank you to James Bacchus for joining us at CSER last week to discuss his new book 'Democracy for a Sustainable World'.
His talk explored the urgent need for participatory democratic governance to address global challenges. Find out more about his book here: bit.ly/4mPfYeB
His talk explored the urgent need for participatory democratic governance to address global challenges. Find out more about his book here: bit.ly/4mPfYeB
📣 Call for papers!
We're inviting submissions for the virtual workshop 'After Sendai: Governing Catastrophic Risks in the Emerging Global Order' (11–12 May 2026) followed by a special issue edited by Kennedy Mbeva, Elena Kavanagh & Reuben Makomere
More details here: shorturl.at/EVHGB
We're inviting submissions for the virtual workshop 'After Sendai: Governing Catastrophic Risks in the Emerging Global Order' (11–12 May 2026) followed by a special issue edited by Kennedy Mbeva, Elena Kavanagh & Reuben Makomere
More details here: shorturl.at/EVHGB
September 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
📣 Call for papers!
We're inviting submissions for the virtual workshop 'After Sendai: Governing Catastrophic Risks in the Emerging Global Order' (11–12 May 2026) followed by a special issue edited by Kennedy Mbeva, Elena Kavanagh & Reuben Makomere
More details here: shorturl.at/EVHGB
We're inviting submissions for the virtual workshop 'After Sendai: Governing Catastrophic Risks in the Emerging Global Order' (11–12 May 2026) followed by a special issue edited by Kennedy Mbeva, Elena Kavanagh & Reuben Makomere
More details here: shorturl.at/EVHGB
We're pleased to welcome Colum Finnegan as a research assistant!
He earned his PhD in Philosophy from UCC, researching philosophy of mind & technology. Using mindshaping theory, he examined how digital platforms harm group cohesion. His current work explores whether LLMs show genuine mindedness.
He earned his PhD in Philosophy from UCC, researching philosophy of mind & technology. Using mindshaping theory, he examined how digital platforms harm group cohesion. His current work explores whether LLMs show genuine mindedness.
September 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
We're pleased to welcome Colum Finnegan as a research assistant!
He earned his PhD in Philosophy from UCC, researching philosophy of mind & technology. Using mindshaping theory, he examined how digital platforms harm group cohesion. His current work explores whether LLMs show genuine mindedness.
He earned his PhD in Philosophy from UCC, researching philosophy of mind & technology. Using mindshaping theory, he examined how digital platforms harm group cohesion. His current work explores whether LLMs show genuine mindedness.
We're pleased to welcome Alana Weir as a Teaching Associate on our MPhil programme!
Alana's research interests include multi-hazard disaster risk, developing assessment methods and working across science, policy and practice to enhance disaster risk management.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/team/alana-w...
Alana's research interests include multi-hazard disaster risk, developing assessment methods and working across science, policy and practice to enhance disaster risk management.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/team/alana-w...
September 1, 2025 at 10:14 AM
We're pleased to welcome Alana Weir as a Teaching Associate on our MPhil programme!
Alana's research interests include multi-hazard disaster risk, developing assessment methods and working across science, policy and practice to enhance disaster risk management.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/team/alana-w...
Alana's research interests include multi-hazard disaster risk, developing assessment methods and working across science, policy and practice to enhance disaster risk management.
⬇️
www.cser.ac.uk/team/alana-w...