Society for Social Responsibility in Science

The Society for Social Responsibility in Science (SSRS) was an organization founded in 1949 at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, USA, dedicated to fostering the responsible use of science for the benefit of society. It was a unique organization that aimed to maintain free inquiry concerning the interplay between science and society, emphasize scientific integrity, and address concerns about the potential misuse of science for destructive purposes.^[1][2][3]

The SSRS was founded with a vision to channel the efforts of scientists and engineers toward creating a more peaceful and humane world. Its constitution reflected its commitment to global peace and emphasized its opposition to war, regardless of its origin.^[2] One of SSRS's key objectives was to provide employment services and educational programs related to its mission. Additionally, the organization sought to stimulate the formation of similar groups in various fields, promoting a broad understanding of the societal responsibilities of professionals in different domains.^[1] The SSRS furthered its mission through the publication of a monthly newsletter.^[4]

The SSRS boasted a membership that included notable scientists and scholars, among them:

• Albert Einstein
• Max Born
• Anton Carlson
• Victor Paschkis
• Franklin Miller
• O. Theodor Benfey
• Herbert Jehle
• Kathleen Lonsdale
• Theodore B. Hetzel
• M. Jane Oesterling

Franklin Miller, a professor of physics at Kenyon College, played a pivotal role in the founding of SSRS. He served as the president of the organization from 1953 to 1955 and also served as the editor of the monthly SSRS Newsletter, which reached readers worldwide between 1949 and the early 1960s.^[1]

Victor Paschkis, originally from Vienna, was a multi-disciplinary scientist with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering and a science doctorate. He immigrated to the United States in 1938, contributing to industry until 1940. Afterward, he directed the Heat and Mass Flow Analyzer Laboratory at Columbia University. Paschkis was the founder and the initial president of SSRS from 1949 to 1950. He was also known for his contributions to the Society of Friends.^[1]

Otto Theodor Benfey, born in Germany, earned his B.S. in chemistry from London University in 1945 and a Ph.D. in 1947. He joined Haverford College as an assistant professor in 1948 and later served as the president of SSRS from 1952 to 1953. In addition to his role as president, he held the positions of librarian and delegate at large within SSRS. Benfey was also a member of the Society of Friends.^[1]

Theodore Brinton Hetzel, born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, was a distinguished member of SSRS. He completed graduate studies in mechanical engineering at various universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Technical University of Munich (Germany), and Penn State University. A long-serving member of Haverford College's faculty, he was associated with the Indian Committees of the American Friends Service Committee and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. He was even adopted by the Seneca Nation of Indians and given the Seneca name Ong Gwa Dao, signifying "our friend."^[1]

The SSRS continued its operations for nearly three decades, with its influence and activities declining in the mid-1970s. Around 1976, the organization ceased its operations, marking the end of its remarkable journey in promoting the responsible use of science for the betterment of society.^[1]

The Society for Social Responsibility in Science left an indelible mark on the intersection of science and social responsibility, inspiring scientists and engineers to consider the broader implications of their work and to use their expertise for the betterment of humanity.^[2]

• Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists (ECAS)
• British Society for Social Responsibility in Science (BSSRS)