In this interview, Emma Belcher describes her journey into the nuclear field, inspired initially by her early exposure to anti-nuclear activism and later drawn to grantmaking through roles at the MacArthur Foundation and Ploughshares Fund. She discusses nuclear weapons as a "necessary evil" but hopes for a future without them, noting that recent conflicts like Ukraine highlight the urgent need for global nuclear awareness to prevent an arms buildup. Belcher reflects on challenges within the field, including reduced funding, limited public engagement, and entrenched norms that hinder collaboration and creativity. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, advocating for new perspectives and cross-field partnerships to build a more innovative, impactful approach to nuclear disarmament.
This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.