Finding Solutions to Shared Challenges: The Next Generation of Science Diplomats
In the lab, scientists are continuously experimenting. Testing hypotheses, analyzing data, and finding solutions to shared challenges. On the international stage, diplomats are continuously broadening their understanding of the world, building relationships and finding common ground with people from different cultures, different backgrounds, and finding solutions to shared challenges.
Just as scientists constantly endeavor to explore their curiosities in the lab, diplomats are ever seeking to broaden their understanding of other cultures and governments on the international stage. Both, each employing their expertise, seek to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Bringing together the technical expertise of scientists with the soft skills of diplomacy, Meridian's 2024 Diplomatic Skills Training for Scientists uplifts the next generation of science diplomats.
Project Objectives
The third annual Diplomatic Skills Training for Emerging Scientists prepped early-career scientists with the essential tools, knowledge, and networks needed to succeed in the diplomatic arena. Through focused lectures on cross-cultural communication, protocol, negotiations, workshops, hands on activities, and networking opportunities, the Diplomatic Skills Training addresses this crucial gap between science and diplomacy.
In an increasingly interconnected world, bridging the gap between science and diplomacy is critical to successfully confronting the challenges of the 21st century.
Science diplomacy remains an area where countries and diplomats are able to find common ground, despite compounding global challenges and international disputes. Whether it's working together to address climate change or public health challenges, science diplomacy remains an effective mechanism for cooperation and trust-building.
For many STEM Ph.D.s and postdoctoral scholars wishing to work in the international arena, they find that they lack an expertise in areas such as cultural sensitivity, protocol, and negotiation – the “soft skills” especially important in diplomacy. Training in these essential areas allows the scientists to effectively bridge the gap between science and diplomacy by leveraging their extensive analytical skillsets and utilizing their newly-acquired diplomatic toolbox.
Project Design
Meridian partnered with the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) to host the third annual Diplomatic Skills Training for Emerging Scientists in summer of 2024. Bringing together a cohort of 20 Ph.D. candidates and scientists, the program comprised of six virtual evening sessions and culminated in a two-day visit to Washington, DC.
Diplomatic Skills Training:
Public-diplomacy educator and retired Foreign Service Officer Tania Chomiak-Salvi led the students through the course and brought in international affairs experts, such as Amrita Bannerjee (Foreign Affairs Officer, Bureau of International Organizations Affairs, U.S. Department of State), Dr. Ana Persic (Program Specialist for Science Technology and Innovation Policies at UNESCO), Daniel Getahun (Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City), and Natalie Jones (Executive Vice President, Meridian & Former Acting Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State).
Topic areas included a holistic analysis of diplomacy, cross-cultural communication, public diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy, protocol, and negotiations.
U.S. Department of State:
The participants began a half-day trip to the U.S. Department of State with a guided tour of the National Museum of American Diplomacy for an inside look at the history of American diplomacy.
Participants heard from the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, Dr. Patricia Gruber, who shared insights on the inner workings of science diplomacy at the Department. A panel of science diplomats, including a AAAS Fellow and a Jefferson Fellow, shared their insights with participants on the opportunities and challenges of science diplomacy, as well as highlighting the diverse variety of work they do in their unique roles.
Embassy of France:
Participants were able to gain global perspective on the intersection of science and international affairs from foreign diplomats at the Embassy of France. The panel discussion featured Pascal Revel, Attaché for Science & Technology, Joaquim Nassar, Attaché for Science & Technology, Nicolas Maubert, Attaché for Space Matters and representative of French Space Agency (CNES), and Laura Gonçalves de Souza, France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE).
Panel Discussion on Science Diplomacy hosted by the 3M Company:
A discussion with Dr. Megan Frisk, Director of International Affairs at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and Emilia Valbum, Head of Commercial Diplomacy & Trade, Government Affairs at 3M, allowed participants to learn about the application of science in both the public and private sector. The discussion highlighted how inquisitiveness is the link between science and diplomacy. Just as scientists constantly endeavor to explore their curiosities in the lab, diplomats, whether in the private or public sector, are ever seeking to broaden their understanding of other cultures and governments on the international stage.
Careers in Science Diplomacy Networking Reception:
An evening networking reception brought together members of the public, private, diplomatic, and U.S. government. Participants had the opportunity to meet and form connections with their peers and members of the science diplomacy community in the nation’s Capital.
Negotiations Workshop & Simulation:
On the final day of the program, participants engaged in a day-long negotiations simulation facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Margolis, Professor at the University of Maryland College Park and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Communications in the Bureau of International Information Programs. While navigating the complexities of asymmetric information and balancing conflicting priorities in a multilateral setting, participants applied the knowledge learned across their six weeks of training to represent their respective party’s interests, asking carefully curated questions, and putting their negotiations skills to use, all with the aim of finding an agreeable solution to a shared global challenge.
Impact
Analysis of pre- and post-program surveys revealed significant growth across the board. Among the areas of most growth were comfortability with how to find career development opportunities in science diplomacy, an understanding of multilateral diplomacy, and understanding how diplomats communicate with foreign publics. Participants also recorded notable growth in understanding how science is incorporated into U.S. foreign policy & dealing with protocol or cultural pitfalls -- two areas critical to conducting effective science diplomacy.
According to survey data, 87% of participants expressed significant familiarity with understanding how science is incorporated into U.S. foreign policy following the course, compared to only 11% before the course.
Additionally, according to the post-course, 76% of participants cited confidence in their understanding of where to find career development opportunities to prepare for a career in science diplomacy, compared to only 15% before the course.
One participant noted, as a result of the course, "My career prospects improved by increasing my topical (foreign policy) and practical (negotiation and protocol) skills and my awareness of different career tracks that I was unaware of before, e.g. Foreign Service."
The Diplomatic Skills for Emerging Scientists training is made possible through the generous support of the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation and the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation.
Project summary
| Finding Solutions to Shared Challenges: The Next Generation of Science Diplomats | August 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Number of Attendees: | 20 |
| Impact Areas: | Science and Technology, Public Diplomacy |
| Program Areas: | Diplomatic Engagement |
