Preventing Nuclear Testing
Building the networks and coordinated action needed to help stop a return to nuclear explosive testing
Preventing Nuclear Testing is an initiative of Public Democracy America’s National Security and Democracy program. Led by Michelle Dover, the initiative connects specialized expertise, trusted relationships, and strategic coordination to help prevent a return to nuclear explosive testing.
The Challenge
A resumption of nuclear explosive testing could accelerate a global arms race, as well as create serious safety, environmental, and security risks for nuclear workers and communities near potential testing sites.
Key impacted constituencies remain disconnected from one another, particularly outside the traditional nuclear arms control and nonproliferation community. Local officials, affected communities, legal experts, environmental leaders, civic organizations, national security professionals, allied governments, and international institutions all have unique perspectives on the challenges. PDA’s Preventing Nuclear Testing initiative is designed to build those connections.
Our Approach
The initiative engages nuclear experts, advocates, civic leaders, public officials, and international partners to build relationships before a crisis demands immediate action.
About Michelle Dover
Initiative Lead, Preventing Nuclear Testing
Michelle leads PDA’s efforts to prevent nuclear explosive testing, overseeing its efforts to connect leaders and experts across nuclear policy, national security, civic engagement, and public service.
Michelle is a Senior Fellow at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Previously, she served at the U.S. Department of State as Executive Director of the Secretary’s International Security Advisory Board and Senior Advisor for Strategic Assessment.
Before her roles in government, she served as Director of Programs at Ploughshares Fund, a foundation focused on reducing nuclear threats, and conducted cooperative threat-reduction research at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.
Michelle began her career as a Nonproliferation Graduate Fellow at the National Nuclear Security Administration, where she worked on International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
She holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution from American University and graduated with honors from the University of Denver with degrees in international studies and French.