Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
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Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Bulletin was established nearly 75 years ago to respond to the public’s growing disorientation around the advances of science and technology. Its mission is as urgent today as it was at its founding. Today, with its international network of board members and experts, the Bulletin continues this legacy by assessing scientific advancements that involve both benefits and risks to humanity, with the goal of influencing public policy to protect our planet and all its inhabitants.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Publishing program
The Bulletin provides non-technical, scientifically sound, policy-relevant information about global security issues to the general public, policy makers, scientists and journalists, and serves as a reliable, high-quality global forum for diverse international opinion. It reminds the world of the continuing danger posed by weapons of mass destruction - as well as the military, political, economic and social conditions that contribute to global conflict. Other programs include the Leonard M. Rieser Fellowship in Science, Technology and Global Security, which seeks to support the efforts of undergraduate students who explore the connections between science, technology, global security and public policy.
Doomsday Clock Symposium & Announcement
An event to deliver a message to the world about the seriousness and urgency of the threats posed by nuclear weapons and the consequences of climate change.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists believes that advances in science and technology should make life on earth better, not worse. We equip the public, policy makers, and scientists with the information needed to demand, recognize, and support public policies that reduce manmade existential threats such as nuclear war, climate change, and disruptive technologies. Our award-winning journal, iconic Doomsday Clock, open-access website, and timely events promote evidence-based policy debates essential to healthy democracies and a safe and livable planet.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
With smart, vigorous prose, multimedia presentations, and information graphics, the Bulletin puts issues and events into context and provides fact-based debates and assessment. For more than 70 years, the Bulletin has spanned the divide between scientific research, foreign policy, and public engagement.
The Bulletin is poised to continue our mission of leading the charge of promoting awareness and advocating for action on the issues that threaten global security. Continued funding will fuel the Bulletin’s momentum and directly support the following plan of action.
The Bulletin was created to alert the public, but today’s stakeholders expect to engage with the issues that matter most. This requires a multiplatform engagement strategy.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Bulletin was created nearly 75 years ago to respond to the public’s growing disorientation around the advance of science and technology. Although the goal of engaging the public remains the same, the challenges and the environment have grown more difficult. Today, compared to 1945, there are new actors, new cultural and social norms, new understandings, and a new skepticism about news and truth.
The public is seeking a guide to help navigate science and technology’s advance and to ensure it serves the ends of global peace and security. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists can be that guide and forge new and innovative partnerships that will result in greater impact.
The Science and Security Board (SASB) is comprised of a select group of globally recognized leaders with a specific focus on nuclear risk, climate change and disruptive technologies. The SASB provides the Bulletin with objective external perspectives on trends and issues in these related fields, and connects the organization to outside experts. The SASB’s responsibilities include: (1) serving as the editorial board of the Bulletin; (2) setting the hands of the Doomsday Clock, and authoring a supporting statement; (3) providing editorial and program advice to Bulletin staff; (4) helping track trends in global security, nuclear issues, climate change and disruptive technologies; (5) identifying new experts as contributors to the Bulletin and for membership on the SASB; and (6) representing the organization at public events, including to broadcast, print; and other media outlets. The SASB meets in person biannually, and its subcommittees meet more regularly.
Bulletin staff and board members are frequently contacted by the media and legislators for comment and interviews especially when topics at the center of the Bulletin’s work are in the headlines.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Bulletin was created to alert the public, but today’s stakeholders expect to engage with the issues that matter most. This requires a multi-platform engagement strategy. The Bulletin’s exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, May 2016 - May 2018, introduced tens of thousands to issues of nuclear risk and climate change and has been extended twice due to popular demand.
The Bulletin is making important strides. To name some highlights: traffic to the Bulletin’s website has increased an incredible 295%, in the past five years; the Bulletin has partnered recently with The Nation and Newsweek; and the Bulletin has joined Mother Jones, Reuters, The Guardian, among others, in the Climate Desk, a consortium of climate change publishers. We have also added former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry and former Governor of California Jerry Brown to our leadership, additions we expect will attract others with expertise in fast-changing fields such as cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI), and geo-engineering. The Bulletin is exploring new channels for publishing its content. In the past six months, the Bulletin has created channels on Apple News and Google News. Apple News connected nearly 50,000 new viewers to Bulletin content in the first few months after being launched, with a higher percentage of female readers. Such opportunities support the Bulletin’s efforts to meet audiences where they are, rather than wait for them to find the Bulletin’s website.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Board of directorsas of 10/02/2023
Dave Kuhlman Balkcom
DAVE KUHLMAN
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
STEVEN RAMSEY
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
VIRGINIA BERKELEY
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
DANIEL HOLZ
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
SHARON SQUASSONI
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
MISHO CEKO
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
JOHN BALKCOM
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
ROBERT LOPRETE
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
MELISSA HARRIS
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
WILLIAM REVELLE
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
ANIA LABNO
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
STEPHANIE WOODSON
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
CYNDI CONN
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
BRYAN BACON
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
JOANNE PO
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
HAROLD JONES
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
DIMPLE SHAH
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
MICHAEL LEE
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
STEVE FETTER
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
JERRY BROWN
GOVERNING BOARD EXECUTIVE CHAIR
RACHEL BRONSON
GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER
STEVE FETTER
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
ASHA GEORGE
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
ALEXANDER GLASER
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
ROBERT LATIFF
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
HERB LIN
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
SUZET MCKINNEY
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
STEVEN MILLER
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
RAYMOND PIERREHUMBERT
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
DAVID RELMAN
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
SCOTT SAGAN
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
AMBUJ SAGAR
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
ROBERT SOCOLOW
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
SUSAN SOLOMON
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
JON WOLFSTHAL
SCIENCE AND SECURITY BOARD MEMBER
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data