We are delighted to announce that we have secured a five year grant from the Isaac Newton Trust, complemented by matching funds from generous philanthropists and foundations. In combination with new grants and funding renewals, this will allow the Centre to continue and expand its research programmes for the 2019-2024 period. Strategically, this marks the shift of CSER from a ‘start-up’ research group to an established part of the landscape – both at the University of Cambridge and in global debates.
In light of CSER’s expanded research portfolio as it enters its next phase, there has been some restructuring of directorial responsibilities. Dr Catherine Rhodes has moved into the position of Executive Director of CSER and will be leading a collaboration with the Biosecurity Research Initiative at St Catharine’s College (BioRISC). Dr Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh continues his involvement in CSER in the position of Co-Director and has taken up leadership of the AI: Futures and Responsibility (AI: FAR) collaboration with the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence.
CSER has achieved a major impact in its first research phase. It has produced highly cited reports and papers on emerging risks, has helped grow the young academic field of existential risk research, and has provided input to governments, companies and international organisations. Over the next years to 2024 we will expand our research and impact.
In particular, we would like to thank:
- the Isaac Newton Trust
- the Hauser-Raspe Foundation
- the Blavatnik Family Foundation
- the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment
- the Future of Life Institute Fund
- the Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative
- the Templeton World Charity Foundation
- the Survival and Flourishing Fund
- Ahren Innovation Capital
- Luke Ding
- And other generous benefactors
Whilst we have achieved significant progress so far, there is still much to do. The evidence that we are facing unprecedented climate and biodiversity crises is becoming impossible to ignore, and the pace of progress on powerful emerging technologies presents critical new challenges. There is little time to waste.
We look forward to continuing our work together.
Yours sincerely,
Seán and Catherine, on behalf of the whole CSER team
