Students & Science Diplomacy Workshop

May 16th, Morning: Public Forum - “Negotiating the Arctic: a Science Diplomacy Perspective” @ McGill University

How much do you know about the Arctic?

It is home to some of the most interesting science Canada has to offer, including unique state-of-the-art research stations like PEARL (the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory) and CHARS (the Canada High Arctic Research Station). These are a beacon for Canada’s science on the international level, and they may hold some of the answers in our global fight against climate change.

This raises some new questions – How do we bring Canada’s arctic science into the global discussion? How can we leverage diplomacy across borders to solve climate change and other scientific issues? And how can countries cooperate to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in the Arctic? What role do indigenous communities and traditional knowledge play in these discussions?

Our expert panelists will shed light on some of these questions, and look forward to engaging with the Montreal public on this important topic.

Our Panelists

– Dr. Louis Fortier is a Professor at Université Laval (Quebec), who will talk about his research with ArcticNet; – Angela Nuliayok-Rudolph is a Policy Advisor at Polar Knowledge Canada (Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Nunavut), and will discuss the indigenous perspective in arctic knowledge; – Dr. Paul Berkman, Professor of Practice in Science Diplomacy at Tufts University (Massachusetts) will discuss the role of science diplomacy in the arctic and at the Arctic Council.

Program

9:00 - 9:30 Registration

9:30 - 9:45 Introduction and welcome remarks by Science & Policy Exchange and and Rémi Quirion, Chief scientist of Quebec, Fonds de recherche du Québec

9:45 - 10:30 The Indigenous communities’ perspective by Angela Nuliayok-Rudoph, Policy Advisor at Polar Knowledge Canada

The scientific perspective by Louis Fortier, Science director at ArcticNet and Professor at Université Laval

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 - 11:55 Science diplomacy in the Arctic by Paul Berkman, Professor of Practice in Science Diplomacy at Tufts University

May 16th, Afternoon: “When the Science is not Enough: an Arctic Council Negotiation Simulation” @ McGill University

This workshop, developed by Dr. Melody Brown Burkins at Dartmouth College, an expert in science policy and diplomacy, will introduce and discuss the role of students and young scientists in science diplomacy. The aim of the workshop is to generate recommendations on how to improve young scientists’ engagement in science diplomacy. Specifically, student participants will gain an understanding of the skills (analytical, ethical) to apply science in a diplomatic framework through an Arctic Council negotiation simulation. During this event, student “delegates” will debate a topical issue associated with the Arctic Council.

Program

Dr. Melody Brown Burkins, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies and Associate Director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch break

13:00 - 17:30 Arctic Council negotiation

17:30–18:00 Feedback session

18:00 - 18:15 Concluding remarks and acknowledgments by Science & Policy Exchange

Please note: while the main simulation is on May 16th, it is also mandatory for student participants to attend the simulation preparation session on May 2nd at 10AM in the room Room 208/209 at the McIntyre building (McGill University, Montreal)

May 17th, Afternoon: Panel Discussions: Students as Stakeholders in Science Diplomacy: Outlook for Today and Tomorrow @ Hotel OMNI

A series of panel discussions directed at government and diplomacy institutions. Experts and stakeholders will participate in panel discussions on how students and young scientists fit into the framework of science diplomacy, including its various sectors, participating agencies, challenges, and its future and potential for action. This event will provide a unique opportunity for participants to hear from and network with experts from a wide variety of disciplines and institutions.

Program

12:15 - 13:15 Registration 13:05 - 13:15 Welcome remarks by Science & Policy Exchange 13:15 - 13:30 Welcome remarks by Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada (Video) 13:30-14:30 Panel 1: The role of student diaspora and internationalization of research in science diplomacy

Moderator: Véronique Morin, Science journalist Panelists: Paul Berkman, Professor of Practice in Science Diplomacy, Tufts University Jan Marco Mueller, Science to Policy and Diplomacy Coordinator, IIASA Nicole Arbour, Senior International Advisor, Government and International Relations at NRC Canada Dimah Mahmoud, Program Manager, EURAXESS North America

14:30 - 14:45 Questions 14:45 - 15:15 Coffee break 15:15 - 16:15 Panel 2: How to train students and favour their engagement in science policy and science diplomacy?

Moderator: Véronique Morin, Science journalist Panelists: Masha Cemma, Policy Advisor at the Office of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor Martha Crago, Vice Principal Research & Innovation, McGill University Rees Kassen, Research Chair in Experimental Evolution, University of Ottawa Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec, Fonds de recherche du Québec Tom Wang, Director, Centre for Science Diplomacy, AAAS

16:15 - 16:30 Questions 16:30 - 16:40 Closing remarks by Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec, Fonds de Recherche du Québec 16:50 - 17:00 Acknowledgments by Science & Policy Exchange 17:00 - 19:00 Reception and networking

Impact for students

The workshop on Day 1 will provide students with a deeper understanding of the role science can play in international diplomacy, as well as the complexities of bringing science into high-level policymaking. This should help prepare students to participate in panel discussions and to network with experts and leaders in science diplomacy on Day 2.

How to Apply

Application Deadline Extended: Monday, April 9th, 2018 at 17:00 EDT

Cost: $30 for the entire “Students & Diplomacy” multi-day event.

Please download our application instructions. and submit your completed application as specified to sciencediplomacy@sp-exchange.ca. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding your application or the event.

All undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are eligible to apply. Early career researchers outside these designations below 35 years of age are also invited to apply.

Applicants accepted to the SPE Students & Science Diplomacy cohort will be notified by mid-April