Science Diplomacy Roles

🗞️ Captivating read : The Space threat assessment 2025 by Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows #space is now a fully militarized domain, with commercial assets like Starlink increasingly seen as legitimate military targets for adversaries. The report argues nations must plan for war “in, from, and through space”, with counterspace threats increasingly integrated into broader military strategies. Many hostile trends observed : 🧭 GPS jamming and spoofing increased significantly, especially in conflict zones. It reached record levels in 2024–2025, especially in: 🔹Middle East (Israel’s operations during conflict) 🔹Eastern Europe and the Baltics (Russia’s response to NATO expansion and drone threats) 🔹South Asia (Pakistan-India tensions, Myanmar conflict) 🔹GPS spoofing is becoming a tactical counterspace tool, used alongside traditional air defenses. 🇷🇺 Russia used massive GPS jamming/spoofing campaigns across Europe and the Black Sea; electronic attacks targeted Starlink and aviation systems. 🤖 #Cyberattacks and #satellite proximity operations (RPOs) by China and Russia raised alarms due to their dual-use potential. 🔹Cyberattacks continue to target space-adjacent sectors, but attribution remains complex. 🔹Hackers like IntelBroker remain mysterious and possibly state-affiliated. 🔹Cyber and space infrastructure are increasingly entangled, highlighting the blurring line between digital and orbital warfare. 🇨🇳 China 🔹China Reorganized military to emphasize space, cyber, and information domains. 🔹China Simulated AI-driven attacks on Starlink-style constellations suggest strategic planning against proliferated LEO architectures. 🇷🇺 Russia 🔹Launched satellites (e.g., Cosmos 2576) into suspicious orbits near U.S. systems. 🔹Accused of developing a nuclear ASAT weapon, breaching the Outer Space Treaty, with one satellite (Cosmos-2553) seen as a testbed. 🇮🇷 Iran increased space launch cadence and pursued cyber operations linked to the IRGC. 🇰🇵 North Korea showed expanding space capabilities and cyber efforts. Enjoy the 📖

The fight to keep science global Some nations are trying to shut the doors of international collaboration. Scientists can keep them open. In my op-ed for American Physical Society News I explore the current challenges to keep research global. While humanity’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to pandemic threats, demand worldwide cooperation, we are seeing a profound contradiction: governments are increasingly treating international collaboration as a national security vulnerability. History shows us a better way. Even at the height of the Cold War, initiatives like the International Geophysical Year and CERN proved that #sciencediplomacy could bridge the deepest divides. Today, the scientific community should "push back against the pushback". We must move beyond passive responses to actively defend the open exchange of ideas, the free movement of talent, and the fundamental values that make progress possible. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/ejWagv5d #APSNews

How are geopolitics reshaping science, technology and innovation? The new OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2025, released today, provides key insights. The report examines a range of topics from transforming science systems, to technology convergence to strategic foresight. One of the key issues: how research and innovation are increasingly viewed through an economic security lens as governments seek to protect critical technologies and national interests. The report finds: ·     A tenfold increase in research security policies since 2018, rising from 25 such policies to 250 worldwide. ·     A tripling of countries implementing research security measures, expanding from 12 to 41. ·     A leveling-off of international scientific collaboration, as measured by the share of internationally co-authored publications, after rising steadily for decades. ·     Shifting research priorities, with public R&D spending on energy and defence increasing around 75% over the past decade, nearly twice the rate of growth of overall R&D spending. The path ahead lies in finding the right balance between research security and openness: protect sensitive knowledge, while enabling needed collaboration and trust. Achieving that right policy mix will be key to shared progress on critical issues from boosting productivity to tackling climate change, improving health and driving digital transformation. The report is available free and in full here: https://lnkd.in/ergRdTaA The associated press release is available here: https://lnkd.in/etcQFXEx Congratulations to Michael Keenan, alessandra colecchia, and the whole STI Outlook team at OECD - OCDE  

In a world increasingly fractured by geopolitical tensions, GESDA - Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator introduces a new framework for Anticipatory Science Diplomacy. Traditional science diplomacy has played a crucial role in advancing international cooperation throughout the 20th century — enabling climate treaties, space exploration partnerships, and global health initiatives. But in today’s accelerated landscape, shaped by powerful technological and scientific shifts, reactive approaches are no longer enough.mGESDA’s new report outlines a next-generation operating system for science diplomacy. One that anticipates rather than reacts. One that embraces complexity and includes everyone with a stake in our shared future. This model is built on four core principles: 👉Science anticipation: mapping emerging breakthroughs 5, 10 and 25 years into the future 👉Honest brokering: convening diverse stakeholders before decisions are locked in 👉Global action: testing new multilateral frameworks via pilot projects and policy sandboxes 👉Capacity building: equipping cross-sector leaders with the tools to navigate scientific complexity with foresight and legitimacy Anticipatory Science Diplomacy shifts the question from “How do we respond?” to “How do we prepare — together?” It is a call to modernize the tools of diplomacy so they match the pace and scale of science. Kudos to Marga Gual Soler, PhD, Marilyne Andersen, Stéphane Decoutère, Gerard Escher, Sandro Giuliani, Daria Robinson, Martin Müller, Marieke HOOD, Alice Hazelton, Marianne T. Schoerling (PhD), Sophie Gilbert, Manuel Gustavo Isaac, Federica Du Pasquier, Dr. Mira Wolf-Bauwens, Catherine Lefebvre, PhD, @Ian Horuzhiy, and Marianne T. Schoerling (PhD) #ScienceDiplomacy #Foresight #GESDA #Anticipation #TechGovernance

Why have over 40 countries announced plans to develop their own dedicated EO constellations? Governments are realising that; - Imagery availability is not guaranteed in a crisis, - Commercial capacity can be reprioritised, - Supply chains, licences, and data rights can become constraints overnight. GEOINT is now being prioritised in the same way as GNSS, cyber security and I.T/cloud infrastructure. Its becoming something you depend on, not something you opportunistically buy. Government GEOINT strategies have started working towards a hybrid model where sovereign sensors are combined with commercial capacity, orchestrated together. This isn't just one agency or department moving in this direction. At Arlula we're seeing this trend globally across different regions. The next phase of the commercial Earth Observation industry is going to be rooted in assured access to critical infrastructure. #SovereignCapability #GEOINT #Data #Space #EODI

As our reliance on satellites grows; guiding everything from our GPS systems to global communications; it’s becoming increasingly clear just how fragile our space infrastructure really is. Cyberattacks, Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons, and space debris are no longer just concerns for the future; they’re real threats that are already challenging the way we operate in space. Yet, most security conversations still focus on the risks we face on Earth, ignoring the vulnerabilities above us. I recently came across a paper that introduces a new way of thinking about space security: the Multi-Threat Risk Management Framework (MTRMF). This framework is all about resilience, not just defense. It’s about ensuring that even when space systems come under attack, they continue to function; by building in redundancies, diversifying communication methods, and having quick-response strategies ready to go. What really stood out to me was how the MTRMF uses real-time data; both open-source and classified; to continuously assess and prioritize risks. The framework emphasizes that space security isn’t just a national issue; it’s a global one. Protecting space requires collaboration across governments, private companies, and international organizations. The paper also takes a deep dive into the vulnerabilities of GPS, which is crucial to everything from air traffic control to financial transactions. Whether it’s cyberattacks on ground stations or the threat of ASAT weapons, disruptions to GPS could have far-reaching effects. The MTRMF’s resilience-based approach is key to keeping these critical systems safe, no matter what threats lie ahead. Full paper -> https://lnkd.in/d8PQZHX8 #SpaceSecurity #SatelliteProtection #MTRMF #Cybersecurity #SpaceRisks #GPS #Resilience #ASAT #SpaceDebris #GlobalCollaboration #TechInnovation #SpaceDefense

Historically, “science diplomacy” was about building bridges—using science to connect people across borders, even amidst messy politics.  But today, access to research, data, or technology often comes with strings attached, like market access, political alignment, or regulatory concessions. In other words, science isn’t just about cooperation anymore—it’s part of the dealmaking game. This shift, called transactional science diplomacy, has its benefits. It can speed up big projects, bring in more investment, and get faster results. But it also comes with risks: like widening gaps between rich and poor countries, discouraging long-term partnerships, and making science less of a public good. The key may be balance. Science diplomacy can work in three ways: 🔹 Aspirational — building trust and goodwill 🔹 Pragmatic — solving shared problems 🔹 Transactional — delivering quick, tangible results The future isn’t about picking one model—it’s about knowing when and how to use each. Interested in this topic? Read more at the link: https://lnkd.in/gBNXGRaB

🚀 From Orbit to Opportunity: Transforming Space Experiments into Commercial Innovations Axiom Space's Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a groundbreaking collaboration between ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the European Space Agency - ESA . India’s investment in this mission, to the tune of $70 million, is not just a strategic move in space diplomacy but a bold step toward commercializing space science. Indian astronauts will carry out #seven experiments aboard the International Space Station, including: 🧠 Human-Machine Interface in Microgravity – Understanding how astronauts interact with screens and controls in space which can improve everything from cockpit design to remote medical devices. 🌿 Microalgae Growth Studies – Exploring how algae adapt to space environments to enhance sustainable food and oxygen sources. 🧬 Cyanobacteria Metabolism Research – Investigating their metabolic changes could lead to breakthroughs in biotech and biofuel. 💊 Stem Cell Behavior in Microgravity – Critical for regenerative medicine and understanding aging processes. 🧫 Bacterial Biofilm Formation – Helps in designing better antibiotics and disinfectants, both in orbit and in hospitals. 🔬 Protein Crystallization – Could revolutionize drug development with purer and more stable crystal structures. 🌡️ Thermal Coating Performance – Testing materials for better insulation in satellites and future habitation modules. These aren’t just scientific experiments—they’re potential blueprints for the next generation of commercial products in healthcare, sustainability, biotech, and beyond. This mission exemplifies what’s possible when international collaboration meets strategic investment with a clear pathway to building future commercial products. Hopefully, the experimental space data will be made available to accelerate the innovation. #SpaceInnovation #ISRO #NASA #ESA #AxiomMission4 #CommercialSpace #Biotech #HumanSpaceflight #GlobalCollaboration Pic Credit : Axiom Space

Science Diplomacy and Soft Power: Parallel Conversations? 🌍🔬🤝 Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the intersection between science diplomacy and soft power — two concepts that are often discussed in separate spaces, yet face remarkably similar challenges. Both are fluid, often contested terms. Ask ten people to define either, and you’re likely to get ten different interpretations. Academics might frame them through theories of influence, credibility, and legitimacy; practitioners, on the other hand, describe them through the day-to-day realities of collaboration, relationship-building, and trust. At their core, both are about how states — and increasingly, non-state actors — seek to engage and persuade through attraction rather than coercion. Whether through joint research projects, scientific exchanges, or global problem-solving, science diplomacy is often one of the clearest expressions of soft power in action. Yet, the boundaries remain blurred. Is science diplomacy a tool of soft power, or a practice within it? And how do those working in the field see themselves — as diplomats, scientists, or something in between? These are some of the questions that continue to shape my own research. I’m currently undertaking a PhD exploring how soft power is operationalised by the British Embassy network, with a particular case study on the Science & Technology Network — a fascinating space where diplomacy, innovation, and influence meet in practice. I’d be really interested to hear from others working in or studying this area — how do you see the relationship between science diplomacy and soft power evolving? Are they distinct fields, or two sides of the same coin? #ScienceDiplomacy #SoftPower #PublicDiplomacy #GlobalCooperation #ResearchAndPolicy #PhDResearch

68% of Europeans believe scientists should intervene in political debates to ensure decisions are evidence-based (Eurobarometer 557). Yet, too often, the bridge between research results and policymaking remains underused. The European Research Executive Agency (REA) Agency has published a kit for EU-funded projects on how to share scientific evidence with policymakers. Its logic is simple but powerful: if research is publicly funded, it should not only advance knowledge but also inform policy choices. What this means The document outlines three principles for achieving policy impact: • Understand the policy context – track priorities, identify the right timing, and make results relevant. • Join forces with stakeholders – academics, industry, civil society, and other EU projects. • Plan for impact from the start – define audiences, key messages, and the right channels. It also lists the most effective formats to reach policymakers: policy briefs, consultations, workshops, and direct reporting. Interestingly, it stresses that researchers’ own social media accounts can also play a role in authenticity and engagement. Why this is interesting and for whom • For researchers: the kit provides 10 concrete steps and links to EU tools such as CORDIS, Horizon Dashboard, and the Horizon Results Platform, turning evidence into actionable insights. • For policymakers: it offers a structured way to receive scientific input in real time, aligned with the EU policy cycle. • For citizens: it strengthens the expectation that public policies are backed by evidence, not just political negotiation. The message is clear: EU-funded research is not complete until its results have reached the people shaping Europe’s future laws and strategies.