A campus workshop highlighted how research across disciplines can inform foreign policy, counter misinformation, and address complex global issues
If you turn on your television, open a newspaper, or scroll through Instagram, it won’t take long to see the politicization of science happening around the globe, from misand disinformation, industry-manufactured uncertainty, and the scientization of policy. It can be hard to figure out what’s based in research, data, and facts, and what is created for clicks.
Science Diplomacy Gathering: Connecting Researchers and Policy Leaders
Cody Coates, Office of the Vice-President (Research)
It’s for this reason that researchers at the University of Calgary have launched a science diplomacy initiative, a rapidly evolving field that sits at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign policy, and is a critical tool for addressing global challenges, fostering international co-operation, and advancing national interests.
Why science diplomacy matters now
"The concept of science diplomacy isn’t new," explains Dr. William Ghali , MD, vice-president (research). "There are examples of scientific collaboration across borders dating back centuries. But it has gained prominence over the past several years as a distinct field of study and practice, and its evolution reflects changing geopolitical dynamics, the increasing complexity of global challenges, and the recognition of science as a tool for soft power and international influence."
Bringing global perspectives to campus
Members of UCalgary’s research community gathered together on Feb. 10 to explore how scientific expertise can address global challenges, advance international relations, and strengthen global governance through transdisciplinary collaboration.
Hosted by the Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship and the Vice-President (Research) Office, the workshop included presentations from international science diplomacy experts, including Dr. Urs Obrist, PhD, the senior science and technology counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ottawa; Dr. Ona Ambrozaite, PhD, a director with the UK Science and Technology Network at the British Consulate General Boston; Dr. Marga Gual Soler, PhD, executive director of capacity and leadership at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator ; and UCalgary’s own Martha Wallace, director of research security, ethics and compliance.
According to Dr. Guillaume Lhermie , DVM, PhD, professor (teaching and research) in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , and lead on UCalgary’s science diplomacy initiative, the event was designed to create awareness and an involved community.
"We want to ensure people understand how they can participate in the science diplomacy space at UCalgary, the tools available on campus, and to learn best practices from diplomats, policymakers, and industry players in the space," says Lhermie.
Putting science diplomacy into practice
Workshop participants had the chance to put their learnings to the test in a hands-on diplomacy game. Created by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator , the game allows participants to explore the governance challenges associated with rapidly advancing neurotechnologies through a fictional scenario. Participants gained an understanding of multilateral governance and negotiation dynamics, examined the impact of governance and intellectual property on emerging technologies, and how to anticipate uncertainty, risks, and dual-use implications, as well as the costs of non-anticipation.
"When we talk about science diplomacy, it’s not just about the hard sciences-physics, engineering, chemistry. It encompasses all research, across all disciplines, from the humanities, social sciences, business, law, and policy, to science, engineering, and technology," explains Lhermie. "Science diplomacy allows us to advance research, to link our work to geopolitical challenges, and to strengthen the impact of our work in policy."
