In 1974, India exploded a nuclear weapon, blowing up all preconceptions about the spread of nuclear technology. Dr Joseph O’Mahoney’s research examines how this weapons test had far-reaching consequences for nuclear politics as we know it today.
Joseph is interested in what happens when international norms are broken – norms are an understanding that there is a rule of behaviour – and India’s nuclear test provides a prime example. This test had global public and governmental implications: the public realised the dangers of having nuclear fuel available in nuclear power stations, while at governmental level, it spurred restrictions on the export of nuclear materials and led to an increase in countries signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. India’s explosion therefore strengthened the international norm regarding nuclear conduct, because it caused restrictions on the spread of nuclear technology.
Joseph explores this research and the present-day outcomes of historical events in his second-year undergraduate module ‘Politics and Nuclear Weapons’ at the University of Reading. He aims to inform his students about the reality of nuclear weapons – many people believe the nuclear threat has vanished since the end of the Cold War, but Joseph believes that is incorrect. This module looks at historical events to see how they influence the modern-day, for example, North Korea’s nuclear tests, and the border tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom possess nuclear weapons. This module draws on real-world events and is informed by the very latest research and developments.
Joseph is passionate about both his research and teaching and enjoys combining them. He recently had an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) student work with him on his project, cataloguing and analysing Canadian archival diplomatic documents relating to the India test. UROP enables students to gain an in-depth knowledge of a subject and research experience. Joseph’s student was so inspired by his UROP placement that he has chosen to continue his journey as a researcher on a master’s degree.
"I hope that if we better understand the dynamic that caused India’s nuclear explosion to strengthen that norm, rather than weaken it, then we can better appreciate the likely impact of any future violations."
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme is now called the Reading Internship Scheme (RIS).
