Sébastien Philippe serves on UN panel examining effects of nuclear war

On September 5, 2025, Assistant Professor Sébastien Philippe participated in the first meeting of the Independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War, a new initiative launched by the United Nations.

Announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on July 17, 2025, the panel will examine the possible physical effects and societal consequences of nuclear war. The last study of this kind was conducted nearly four decades ago.

Philippe was appointed to the panel along with 20 other leading scholars from a range of scientific disciplines. Together, they will engage international stakeholders to develop a report identifying key conclusions and areas requiring further research.

“There hasn’t been a study in almost 40 years, and the last one that came out in 1988—I was one year old,” Philippe said during the panel’s first meeting. “Since then, the size of the world’s nuclear arsenal has changed, the technology has changed, and the type of places targeted during nuclear war also has changed.” 

The panel will leverage research conducted during the past 40 years to answer critical questions and identify knowledge gaps. Philippe hopes their efforts will reenergize global understanding of the effects of nuclear war and unite the scientific community to address the remaining questions.

Philippe is an assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. His work combines technical and policy analysis to inform public and governmental understanding of nuclear risks and to support evidence-based policy and diplomatic solutions. Read more about Philippe’s research.