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Science diplomacy is a fast-growing field of research, education, and practice dedicated to better understanding and reinforcing the connections between science, technology, and international affairs to tackle national and global challenges. As such it also attempts to bridge the existing gaps between the communities of scientists and diplomats as well as policymakers by fostering collaboration and leveraging scientific knowledge to inform foreign policy decisions.
STEaPP is dedicated to advancing science diplomacy through research, education and policy engagement. Staff actively engage with international institutions and organisations, government bodies, diplomatic missions and embassies to ensure that scientific insights are integrated into diplomatic efforts. Many of these activities are detailed in reports made available on our website which in turn contribute to the broader understanding and practice of science diplomacy. We train the next generation of science diplomats through our MPA and online MSc program, both featuring a Term-long science diplomacy course. We also train current diplomats via professional education at several diplomatic academies. Our research published in peer-reviewed journals informs science diplomacy theory and practice, and looks at institutional arrangements, processes, human capacity as well as at thematic issues (e.g. energy, climate, space). Several of our PhD candidates carry out year-long research on science diplomacy on themes ranging from science attachés networks, science advice in multilateral negotiations, scientific diasporas engagement with their Embassies, as well as thematic studies on e.g. the diplomacy of geoengineering or the ongoing plastics treaty.
Through all these efforts, we aim to address complex global issues and promote a more interconnected and informed world, a core mission of our department as a whole.
Projects, Funding and Policy Engagement
Active and past projects
- UCL Global Engagement Fund, “Improving interfaces between science and policy in the context of grand challenges: a grand challenge in itself”, £2500
- UCL Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Fund, “Developing science advice at the Embassy of Portugal in the United Kingdom: exchanging knowledge between researchers and practitioners to enhance policy impact, ”£7500
- Embassy of Netherlands series of talks on policy-relevant issues for the diplomatic staff and civil servants, £1500
Policy engagement
- International Science Council, co-Chairing of working group on science diplomacy
- International Network for Governmental Science Advice, co-Chairing the INGSA-Europe regional chapter & hosting of its coordinator
- European Commission, co-Chairing of the working group on capacity building of the European Union Science Diplomacy Working Groups
- European Union Science Diplomacy Alliance, member