Conference Agenda

The concept of science diplomacy has undergone a major re-examination in 2025, as the world grows more dangerous and a number of threats to science multiply. Science diplomacy is practiced by a wider number and range of global actors than ever before, from sub-national entities like cities and states to international organisations to industry, in particular global technology companies. Yet at the same time, the science that underpins it is under attack from ideological agendas, financial pressures, online misinformation and polarised politics. Science academies have a unique vantage point, as they are often well-established institutions which can take a long-term perspective, but at the same time are vulnerable to attacks on perceived elites or scientific consensus. How can science academies best navigate the new landscape of science diplomacy, and most effectively utilise it to safeguard the interests of science and contribute to a more resilient global science system?

This panel explores how science diplomacy can support scholars at risk due to conflict, persecution or displacement. As global crises increasingly disrupt academic communities, science diplomacy provides a crucial, non-political means to preserve knowledge, defend academic freedom and build international solidarity. Through fellowships, institutional partnerships and advocacy, it offers displaced scholars opportunities to continue their work and contribute to global scientific challenges. The discussion will highlight science diplomacy as both a humanitarian and strategic tool, showcasing best practices from global initiatives and institutions that support at-risk academics. It will examine the roles of international organizations, universities and governments in fostering inclusion and protection. Emphasis will be placed on the lived experiences, agency and contributions of displaced scholars themselves. The panel will also spotlight the Global Young Academy's At-Risk Scholars Initiative and its efforts to integrate displaced scholars into international research networks while defending academic freedom under threat.

The UN General Assembly has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) to increase worldwide understanding of the value of grasslands and pastoralism for food security, economy, environment and cultural heritage. Semi-natural grasslands are among the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth, offering a unique example of how long-term, low-intensity human activities can enhance biodiversity. Their ecological value is closely tied to traditional management practices, such as grazing and mowing, which help maintain their open structure and biodiversity. Steppes and other drylands also harbour outstanding biodiversity that is shaped by the herders and the one billion people living in these ecosystems globally. Today, grasslands are rapidly disappearing in many regions of the world, due to climate change in combination with land use changes including abandonment that leads to secondary succession toward shrubs or forests, or, through intensification (use of fertilizers, frequent mowing, or sowing monocultures) causing biodiversity loss. This session will contribute to the aims of the IYRP and through taking a global view of grasslands and focussing on how to bring multiple knowledge systems together at the table to discuss what policy options and actions are available in different regions for reversing current trends.

Globally, 33 percent of researchers are female, yet women only comprise 12 percent of science academy members. The InterAcademy Partnership and its members have long championed the inclusion and participation of women in science. IAP continues this work through a series of initiatives focusing on identifying barriers facing women in science. These initiatives include a global workshop on assessing and addressing sexual harassment of women in academia and partnering with the International Science Council and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science to update the landmark 2016 IAP survey on the participation of women in scientific organisations. This session will discuss the impacts and challenges identified through these initiatives, present the preliminary results from the global gender survey, highlight ongoing work by IAP members and regional networks and propose possible approaches to prevent gender discrimination in academia.

The talk discusses in detail the transformative impact of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) on Egypt's digital renaissance. As a cornerstone of national development, the EKB aims to democratise access to global knowledge resources, reshaping educational, research and innovation landscapes across the country. It explores the strategic vision behind the EKB, highlighting its role in providing students, educators, researchers and the public with access to scientific journals, academic publications, multimedia resources and educational tools from leading international publishers. By fostering lifelong learning, enhancing research capabilities and stimulating innovation, the EKB bridges knowledge gaps and promotes equitable access to information. The presentation also illustrates how the EKB functions as a dynamic catalyst for intellectual and socio-economic advancement, contributing to the development of a knowledge-based economy, a digitally proficient workforce and Egypt's trajectory toward a technology-driven, innovation-focused future.

The world is navigating a complex web of interconnected crises: climate change, social inequality, environmental degradation, public health challenges and geopolitical instability. In this era of transformation, international collaboration among members of young academies (YAs) and global science associations plays a crucial role in promoting trust and resilience among early-career researchers (ECRs). These collaborative networks facilitate the exchange of best practices, provide mutual support and empower young scientists to navigate systemic challenges while contributing meaningfully to global science systems. This session will highlight concrete case studies where YAs have collectively addressed barriers faced by ECRs through joint initiatives. It will focus on how such efforts foster a culture of resilience and credibility in science — particularly in contexts where systemic support is limited. Additionally, this session will explore how co-production of knowledge by engaging scientists, policymakers and civil society actors can generate inclusive, actionable solutions for a just and sustainable transition.

The session will explore ethical and sustainable governance of emerging technologies, particularly AI, digital platforms, biotechnologies, and genetic engineering. While these innovations offer significant opportunities for growth and wellbeing, they also raise urgent ethical, social, and environmental concerns—especially in regions with evolving policy frameworks. Speakers from diverse regions and institutions will share case studies, highlighting how technological advances align or conflict with local values, economic priorities, and sustainability goals. The discussion will generate actionable recommendations for science academies, policymakers, and stakeholders, aiming to strengthen global partnerships, build capacities, and guide responsible research and deployment. Expected outputs include a policy brief, white paper, and report, contributing to IAP's future agenda and fostering international cooperation in science and technology policy.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, shifting political climates and evolving academic structures, the question of how to foster and evaluate novel scientific discoveries and meaning-making around them has become urgent. Ultimately, science advances not through papers or grants, but through real discoveries. While knowledge creation entails risk and failure, it can also shift scientific paradigms and transform societal and research-related structures. In this session, we explore the nature and value of novelty in scientific research—highlighting its importance, potential, systemic constraints and the timeliness of evolving discourse on these. We focus on three topics. (1) Novelty and technological change. We begin by examining how technology acts as an amplifier, enabling ground-breaking discoveries while reinforcing echo chambers and incentivising mediocrity. This duality prompts reflection on the structural conditions shaping scientific progress. (2) Novelty and challenges to academic freedom. Next, we address growing pressures on academic freedom. Political trends focused on short-term goals and marginalising high-risk research threaten discovery, often prioritising conformity over challenges to established paradigms. (3) Novelty and young scholars' career paths, research funding and evaluations. Finally, we consider academic career structures and evaluation metrics—especially for early-career researchers—which rarely reward curiosity-driven exploration, instead favouring predictable outcomes. We examine how research funding models support or neglect high-risk proposals, thereby influencing breakthroughs. Drawing on philosophy of science and social epistemology, this session invites participants to consider how to support novelty in science—not only in funding and evaluation, but also in defining success and excellence, valuing diverse outputs and justifying unequal opportunities to pursue risky ideas.

Political polarisation and widespread misinformation are undermining public trust in science at an alarming pace. This is happening at a time when the need for science-based solutions to ensure the future of humanity and the planet's biodiversity has never been greater. The most existential threats, such as climate change and food insecurity, are global in nature, yet the development and implementation of cooperative international responses are being severely impeded by the spread of nationalism, xenophobia and isolationism, which are also antithetical to democracy. Our panellists, who represent Regional Networks or Science Academies across five continents, will bring their expertise spanning the physical, biological and social sciences to address solutions to the challenge of rebuilding trust in the scientific enterprise at local, regional, and global scales. Each panellist will give a brief presentation and then discuss points of convergence and a roadmap for next steps.

Building resilient, inclusive and future-ready science ecosystems requires deliberate collaboration across sectors, including bringing together government, academia, industry and philanthropy to co-design research agendas, share risk and align investment with societal needs. This session brings together leaders from across these domains to explore how structured, trust-based platforms for cross-sectoral collaboration can be designed and sustained. It aims to address questions such as: How can science academies act as effective conveners of cross-sector partnerships? How can persistent barriers to coordination between public, private, and academic institutions—such as misaligned incentives, limited communication or lack of trust—be effectively addressed? The discussion will also explore existing models within academies for engaging government, industry and philanthropy and will examine what insights can be drawn from these approaches to guide others seeking to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration.