Michael Nacht – författare

For many faculty the desire and need to go abroad is inherent in the nature of their discipline. For others the thought of going abroad for scholarly purposes is completely alien. This book, which was sponsored by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, looks in depth at the international experience of American faculty. Goodwin and Nacht examine the type of faculty who go abroad and their reasons for doing so, the incentives and the disincentives for faculty travel abroad, the attitudes prevalent on US campuses toward such activities, the special obstacles and risks faced by faculty who commit themselves to an international experience and the effects of foreign experience among the faculty on the internationalisation of US campuses. In preparing the book, the authors conducted extensive interviews with faculty at thirty-seven institutions of higher education.

In Abroad and beyond, Professors Goodwin and Nocht discuss the exploding American students' interest in overseas studies. The authors investigate the numerous study foreign policies and programs, clarifying for the reader issues of special relevance to this fast-moving field. In addition to describing many of the innovative programs across the country, they explain why students go abroad, how they go, and the ways in which they benefit. They also discuss the problems that the students create - for themselves and for their institutions - and the consequent policy issues that must be addressed. Bringing their fresh perspective to this subject, Goodwin and Nocht cut through the frequent vehemence and intolerance of the field's various contesting parties. Recommendations are made to campus leaders on how best to confront policy decisions in this hotly debated field. As such, Abroad and beyond should be useful to deans, provosts, presidents, legislators, foundation officers, and faculty members who are connected with foreign study policy.

This textbook is the first comprehensive and systematic account of the science, technology and policy issues associated with nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Throughout their account of the evolution of nuclear policy, from its origin to the early Trump presidency, the authors interweave clear technical expositions of the science and technology that underpin and constrain it. The book begins by tracing the early work in atomic physics, the discovery of fission, and the developments that led to the Manhattan Project and the delivery of atomic bombs against Japan that ended World War II. It follows the initial failed attempts at nuclear disarmament, the onset of the Cold War nuclear arms competition, and the development of light water reactors to harness nuclear energy for electric power generation. The authors thoroughly unpack the problem of nuclear proliferation, examining the strategy and incentives for states that have and have not pursued nuclear weapons, and providing an overview of the nuclear arsenals of the current nuclear weapon states. They trace the technical, political and strategic evolution of deterrence, arms control and disarmament policies from the first attempts for an Outer Space Treaty in 1957 through the new START treaty of 2009. At critical junctures in the narrative, the authors explain the relevant nuclear science and technology including nuclear fission and criticality; nuclear materials and enrichment; nuclear detonation and nuclear weapons effects; nuclear weapons stockpile constraints, stewardship and surveillance; nuclear fusion and thermonuclear weapons; technologies for monitoring, verification and proliferation; and nuclear forensics. They conclude with an assessment of contemporary issues ranging from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, to the threat of nuclear terrorism, the perceived nuclear weapons policies of Russia and China, and the US efforts to provide disincentives for its allies to acquire their own nuclear weapons by maintaining credible security guarantees.

This textbook is the first comprehensive and systematic account of the science, technology and policy issues associated with nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Throughout their account of the evolution of nuclear policy, from its origin to the early Trump presidency, the authors interweave clear technical expositions of the science and technology that underpin and constrain it. The book begins by tracing the early work in atomic physics, the discovery of fission, and the developments that led to the Manhattan Project and the delivery of atomic bombs against Japan that ended World War II. It follows the initial failed attempts at nuclear disarmament, the onset of the Cold War nuclear arms competition, and the development of light water reactors to harness nuclear energy for electric power generation. The authors thoroughly unpack the problem of nuclear proliferation, examining the strategy and incentives for states that have and have not pursued nuclear weapons, and providing an overview of the nuclear arsenals of the current nuclear weapon states. They trace the technical, political and strategic evolution of deterrence, arms control and disarmament policies from the first attempts for an Outer Space Treaty in 1957 through the new START treaty of 2009. At critical junctures in the narrative, the authors explain the relevant nuclear science and technology including nuclear fission and criticality; nuclear materials and enrichment; nuclear detonation and nuclear weapons effects; nuclear weapons stockpile constraints, stewardship and surveillance; nuclear fusion and thermonuclear weapons; technologies for monitoring, verification and proliferation; and nuclear forensics. They conclude with an assessment of contemporary issues ranging from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons development program, to the threat of nuclear terrorism, the perceived nuclear weapons policies of Russia and China, and the US efforts to provide disincentives for its allies to acquire their own nuclear weapons by maintaining credible security guarantees.