Centre for the Study of Existential Risk
@cser
Cambridge University interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the study and mitigation of risks that could lead to human extinction or civilizational collapse.
Curious about global catastrophic risks? 📖Our reading list offers a starting point with key resources on areas such as bio-risk, natural risk and AI. ⬇️ buff.ly/BxTSL6D
Registration is open for CSER's Cambridge Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2026! Join CSER for two days of discussion on climate governance, AI and emerging technologies, geopolitics and pandemic preparedness. Find out more and purchase tickets here: buff.ly/CQCgCkD #CCCR2026
Have questions about the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience? Our FAQs cover key information about how to apply, funding and what to expect from the course. 👉 Visit the FAQs on our website to learn more. buff.ly/G9bamOj
We'd like to welcome Friederike Suhr to CSER as a visitor! Friederike is a Research Associate at the University Medical Center Mainz. Her research focuses on social & environmental health, examining the impacts of extreme weather events on population health & the effects of migration on well-being.
Tickets are now available for CSER’s Cambridge Conference on Catastrophic Risk, 17th – 18th September 2026! CCCR 2026 brings together the X-risk community, with a focus on the governance challenges shaping tomorrow’s world. Find out more & buy tickets here: bit.ly/4bIGmDz #CCCR2026
At the end of June, we welcomed 35 professionals and students to our summer programme, Historical Dimensions of AI, Power & Catastrophic Risk with Professor Yuval Harari. 1/3
There are currently two exciting opportunities to join CSER's team! We're looking for: - Research Associate to investigate environmental issues related to catastrophic risk 🔗 bit.ly/4gkvYVw - A Teaching Associate to support the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience 🔗 bit.ly/4467kAN
Today is the start of our summer programme, Historical Dimensions of AI, Power & Catastrophic Risk! Over the coming week, participants will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping fundamental aspects of human civilisation.
CSER is looking for a Research Associate interested in environmental issues related to catastrophic risk! The role involves conducting independent research, engaging with academic and policy communities & developing a broad research agenda. Deadline: Midnight on Sunday 9th August 2026
We'd like to welcome Alphonce Mollo as a visitor to CSER! Alphonce specialises in climate and development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. His visit to CSER will focus on Governing Catastrophic Climate Change in African Fragile States beyond dominant vulnerability narratives.
In May, we hosted the workshop 'After Sendai: Governing Global Catastrophic Risk in the Emerging Global Order', co-convened by Kennedy Mbeva, Elena Kavanagh & Reuben Makomere. The workshop brought together researchers to explore the future of catastrophic risk governance beyond 2030.
We're pleased to announce Lily Cohen has joined CSER as a research affiliate! Lily is a physician-scientist and neurology resident at Mount Sinai Hospital with research expertise in infectious disease modeling, zoonotic spillover and global health policy.
We'd like to welcome Iley Fröhlich as a visitor to CSER! He will be working on moral (bio)enhancement, exploring the potential & associated risks of novel biotechnological interventions that aim to improve morality in order to prevent endogenous existential threats. www.cser.ac.uk/team/iley-fr...
We're excited to launch our new summer programme with Yuval Noah Harari: Historical Dimensions of AI, Power & Catastrophic Risk! A five‑day deep dive into how AI is reshaping human civilization.
Congratulations to CSER MPhil students Cain Hillier, Daniel Kam & Harry Johnson for placing 5th in the Entente Cordiale Day Challenge and winning the Lord Williams of Elvel Prize! The team were among 700 participants submitting a report on the theme “Conflicts, Technologies, and World Security.”
We are hiring! CSER is looking for a Research Assistant/Associate to work on the Evidence Exchange (EvEx) initiative! Deadline: 24 May 2026 Find out more and apply here ⬇️ bit.ly/4tOhZuC
The call for poster submissions is now open for CSER’s CCCR 2026 conference! Submissions are invited on: 🔵 Governing catastrophic climate risk 🔵 AI and emerging technologies 🔵 Geopolitics & nuclear weapons 🔵 The future of pandemic preparedness 🔵 Open session (any existential‑risk related work)
New Meet the Researcher profile: Vanessa Burns! (@climatecolumn.bsky.social) Vanessa’s work at CSER focuses on climate resilience, environmental governance and justice. She shares her journey from activist to political scientist and what keeps her optimistic about the future.
Meet the education team behind the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience! Our education team brings together expertise from AI governance to pandemic preparedness and disaster risk.
We'd like to welcome Catherine Rhodes as a visitor to CSER! Catherine will be working on projects, including editorial work for a new handbook on global catastrophic risks & papers exploring various aspects of systems approaches to governance of GCRs www.cser.ac.uk/team/catheri...
This term, MPhil students can choose from 5 electives, exploring some of the most pressing global risks from AI governance and biological risk to nuclear weapons, disaster risk and the role of finance in risk mitigation. Learn more about each elective on our website: buff.ly/QO9Mqs3
📢 Closing Sunday 8th February: Assistant Professor in Global Risk and Resilience! Have questions about the role, the recruitment process, or how to apply? Visit our FAQs to find out more ⬇️ www.cser.ac.uk/people/join-...
There's still time to apply for the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience! We welcome applicants from diverse disciplines & backgrounds with a passion for tackling global challenges. Application deadline: 5 March 2026 Find out more: buff.ly/Tc3986i
📢 Last week to apply: Assistant Professor in Global Risk and Resilience CSER is looking for an Assistant Professor to lead research in global risk and resilience & contribute to teaching, assessment & admissions for CSER's MPhil. Deadline: 8 February 2026 Apply here: buff.ly/vD7LEnz
Thank you to Myrle Ballard, for joining CSER on Monday to explore how Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Indigenous science can provide critical insights into understanding extreme events. Thank you to everyone who joined the seminar!
Have questions about the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience? Our FAQs cover key information about how to apply, funding and what to expect from the course. 👉 Visit the FAQs on our website to learn more. buff.ly/G9bamOj
We'd like to welcome Anthony Torres-Ruesta to CSER as a new Research Associate! His work examines the challenges & dual-use implications of AI for pandemic preparedness and response. His research sits at the intersection of infectious disease science, global health, and biosecurity. buff.ly/L9Tdi9f
Interested in researching and teaching global risk & resilience at the University of Cambridge? ITH is recruiting an Assistant Professor to join CSER to lead research & contribute to teaching on the MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience. Deadline: 8 February 2026 Apply here: buff.ly/Fhnd0pW
We're pleased to welcome Emma Patten as our new Postgraduate Co-ordinator! Emma has experience in further and higher education providing academic support and programme administration. She holds an undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of Leeds.