Swiss Young Network for Science Policy and Diplomacy (SYNESPOD)
This project aims to establish a platform for science policy and diplomacy through partnerships with (inter)national institutions, increasing the capacity, impact and visibility of the Swiss Young Academy, its members as well as early-career professionals in Switzerland, in addressing challenges towards sustainable development globally.
Project group
Current members
Jovana V. Milić (Co-Speaker)
Mohammd Peydayesh (Co-Speaker)
Darius Farman
Silvia Maier
Former members
Florian Egli
Servan Grüninger
Lucas Mueller
BinBin Pearce
Lauren Clack
Background
The project is motivated by the global challenges that affect Switzerland, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the devastating effects of the political and health crises, that require transdisciplinary solutions at the interface of science, policy, and international cooperation. For this purpose, science policy and diplomacy provide opportunities to address challenges through science-policy dialogue and international collaboration.
Goals
Building the capacity of early-career researchers to contribute to science policy through trainings and workshops
Increasing the capacity, visibility, and impact of early-career researchers in science for policy and science diplomacy
Establishing (inter)national collaborative network for science policy and diplomacy
Activities
SYNESPOD will be realized through workshops, participation in forums, and partnerships with representative (inter)national associations, creating and strengthening a strategic network for science policy and diplomacy.
In particular, the project envisages a workshop on science for policy for early-career scientists with insights on effective science communication to policy-makers and science-policy dialogue co-organized in collaboration with Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) and Reatch. Moreover, we plan to participate in Geneva Science and Diplomacy Week in collaboration with GESDA, an international forum for science diplomacy leaders, through continued partnership with foraus, and the Swiss Sustainability Forum in collaboration with the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) and GSPI. We will further focus on contributing to the organization of the upcoming European Network of Young Academies (ENYA) Meeting, while we remain committed to strengthening and establishing connections and partnerships with other young academies and (inter)national organizations involved in science for policy and diplomacy, including the Global Young Academy (GYA), Young Academy of Sweden (SUA), Young Academy Finland (YAF), UK Young Academy, Young Academy of Ireland, Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS), International Network of Government Science Advice (INGSA), and International Science Council (ISC), among others.
New Report
On Science for Policy and Diplomacy Education in Switzerland and Beyond: A Brief Overview
Some of the most pressing challenges worldwide, from global pandemics to the climate and environmental crisis, require efforts at the interface of science, policy, and diplomacy. To this end, skills development for scientists engaged with science for policy and diplomacy is increasingly important, yet relevant educational offers in Switzerland and worldwide remain limited. Such training opportunities are crucial as engaging effectively at the science-policy interface requires specialized skills that go beyond traditional academic training and are essential for creating science-informed policies to address complex local and global challenges. The Swiss Young Network for Science Policy and Diplomacy of the Swiss Young Academy, in collaboration with the Geneva Science-Policy Interface and the Franxini Project of Reatch, considered educational offers in science for policy and diplomacy available for early-career academics, including courses, workshops, and webinars in Switzerland, across Europe, and beyond. Without being comprehensive, this report provides insights for academics and others interested in building capacity in science advice.
