Bridging Worlds: An Introduction to Science Diplomacy

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Educational Programmes

Course type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 4 module

Instructor

Suleymanov, Irek

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Science diplomacy is a relatively young interdisciplinary phenomenon at the intersection of diplomacy, science, technology, politics, ethics, and communications. The course is aimed at future managers in the field of science and innovation and includes five comprehensive tracks: theoretical foundations and concepts in science diplomacy (educating students on the basics and terminology of science diplomacy); governmental strategies and mechanisms in the field of science diplomacy (analyzing the role of a state in science diplomacy); the global context/contribution of science to diplomatic processes (analyzing the influence of international institutions on science diplomacy); contemporary challenges in science diplomacy (assessing current challenges and trials in science diplomacy, 2020s); science diplomacy evolution, its tools, and professionalization (forecasting the future and development of science diplomacy).Course Objective: To furnish students with a fundamental comprehension of science diplomacy's concept and theoretical evolution, its objectives, and instruments, while enhancing their skills required for elementary analysis, observation, and advancement of scientific dialogue practices within the framework of science diplomacy.

Learning Objectives

• To grasp the foundational knowledge and terminology specific to science diplomacy;
• Familiarization with how different governments approach science diplomacy;
• Expanding understanding of the impact of science on global diplomatic efforts;
• Familiarization with the current challenges facing science diplomacy, especially focusing on the developments and trials of the 2020s, and acquainting with criticism of the concept of science diplomacy;
• Forming perceptions about the ongoing process of science diplomacy professionalization and envisioning how science diplomacy can be further developed and utilized to address global issues.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of core concepts and theoretical underpinnings of science diplomacy to effectively engage in discussions and analyses within this interdisciplinary field.
• Ability to analyze the strategic roles states play, the mechanisms they employ, and how these strategies/instruments influence both national and international scientific collaborations and policy-making
• Ability to critically analyze the role of international institutions for science diplomacy and its specific instruments and potentials
• Ability to use the results of critical analysis to understand implications for international scientific collaboration and how they might be addressed or navigated through science diplomacy efforts/instruments
• Ability to forecast the future directions in which science diplomacy might evolve, including identifying emerging tools and strategies for effective diplomacy.

Course Contents

• Defining Science Diplomacy
• Strategizing Science Diplomacy
• Science diplomacy and national policies
• Instrumentalization of national science diplomacies
• International (research) organizations as a phenomenon of science diplomacy
• International (research) organizations in action
• Crisis in theory and practice of science diplomacy in the 20s of the 21st century
• Science Diplomacy’s tectonics
• Science diplomacy concept: through challenges to vitality?
• Science Diplomacy as a tool for bridging worlds

Assessment Elements

• Presentation
  1. Preparation of slides within the set deadlines (1 hour and 40 minutes).2. Utilization of theoretical foundations from lectures. 3. Covering the following aspects of the presentation (according to the five tracks and structure of the course): analysis of different approaches to defining science diplomacy (comparative analysis of 2-3 countries); analysis of the tools of national science diplomacy (2-3 countries); analysis of country memberships (2-3) in international scientific organizations (from the perspective of one of the approaches to science diplomacy), highlighting examples of the use of science diplomacy tools for positive and negative action during the "crash-test" period of science diplomacy (states and international organizations); analysis of one of the foresight scenarios for the development of science diplomacy. 4. Delivering 5-7 min presentation with the results of the group work. The students get 10 grades for the seminars if they deliver the presentation according to the requirements described above.
• Exam
• Class assignments

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 4th module
  0.25 * Class assignments + 0.5 * Exam + 0.25 * Presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Krasnyak, O. (2020). Science Diplomacy and Soviet-American Academic and Technical Exchanges. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy ; Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 398-408 ; ISSN 1871-1901 1871-191X. https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191x-bja10025
• Olga Krasnyak. (2019). National Styles in Science, Diplomacy, and Science Diplomacy : A Case Study of the United Nations Security Council P5 Countries. Brill.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Hard power, soft power and the future of transatlantic relations, , 2006
• Rungius, C. V. aut. (2020). Romancing science for global solutions on narratives and interpretative schemas of science diplomacy Charlotte Rungius, Tim Flink.

Authors

• Зинченко Екатерина Андреевна
• Островская Екатерина Дмитриевна