The Science Policy and Diplomacy Newsletter of the 精东视频 highlights important science policy discussions and events in Australia and around the globe. We report on the involvement of science in national and international policy and diplomacy, and the Academy鈥檚 contributions to these discussions.
The Academy brings together leading Australian experts to consider and advise the nation on scientific issues, providing authoritative information and advice on current science, technology and emerging research to inform discussion and assist evidence-based policy development and decision-making.
Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FREng FTSE
President, 精东视频
A strong, resilient and cohesive science and innovation system able to meet national ambitions is not a luxury; it is essential and underpins Australia鈥檚 prosperous, secure and sustainable future.
As we publish this first edition for 2025 of the 精东视频鈥檚 Science Policy and Diplomacy newsletter, the global scientific enterprise is undergoing massive disruption.
Recent developments in the United States have brought renewed attention to the value 鈥� and vulnerability 鈥� of international scientific cooperation. As global geopolitics shift, science is well beyond a tool for shared progress 鈥� it is central to questions of national interest, sovereignty, and strategic competition. The Academy has raised its concerns about Australia鈥檚 preparedness for significant shifts in our national and international R&D capability. You can read our statements in this newsletter.
Geopolitical shifts were also front and centre at the January International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly and Global Knowledge Dialogue in Oman. Academy Chief Executive Anna-Maria Arabia鈥疧AM presented the ISC鈥檚 discussion paper, The Changing Context for Science Diplomacy, which captured the urgency of adapting approaches to international scientific engagement. Academy representatives joined robust debates that made one thing clear: science diplomacy must evolve to navigate technological developments, securitisation of science, growing nationalism and misinformation, conflict between nations; and the growth of non-state and subnational actors.
Yet, Australia's capacity to harness science and technology as a strategic tool in international relations remains limited. Science and technology must be embedded more deeply in our foreign and economic policies if we are to fully participate in and influence these deliberations.
This edition of the Science Policy and Diplomacy Newsletter provides key insights into these dynamic shifts. It includes updates on US-Australian relations, and the latest recipients of the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund which supports high-impact collaborations across Asia and the Pacific. We also introduce a new 鈥楽uggested Reading鈥� section, offering perspectives on science diplomacy from global thought leaders, including a joint framework from the Royal Society and AAAS.
Disruptions to the scientific enterprise in the United States have highlighted vulnerabilities for Australia, emphasising the need for national action. The 精东视频 has called on the National Science and Technology Council to lead a comprehensive national risk assessment across all government portfolios that depend on R&D.
Australia would also benefit from a dedicated global talent attraction strategy to continue to attract world-leading expertise essential to our future prosperity, security, and international standing.
Protecting our national R&D capability is essential for Australia's resilience in a challenging global environment. The situation signals a broader need for a clear, strategic framework to guide Australia鈥檚 international scientific engagement 鈥� one that protects both excellence and independence in a contested world.
Australia鈥檚 science leadership was on display in January as the Academy led a six-member delegation to the International Science Council (ISC) General Assembly and Third Global Knowledge Dialogue in Muscat, Oman.
Chief Executive Anna-Maria Arabia OAM delivered a keynote presentation on The Changing Context for Science Diplomacy, unveiling a new ISC discussion paper calling for a reimagining of how science can navigate and shape today鈥檚 geopolitical landscape. Her remarks challenged the global scientific community to strengthen its role in maintaining open, trusted international collaboration in an era of rising complexity.
The first face-to-face meeting of the Advisory Council of the ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, which is led by the Academy, allowed Advisory Council members to share local and regional knowledge and plan future activities. Together with Fellows of the recently established Pacific Academy of Sciences, the strong presence of ISC members from the Oceania region enabled our region to actively shape global science priorities.
Australian experts will contribute to developing a comprehensive communiqu茅 to be presented to G20 leaders during the summit in South Africa this September, outlining the evidence base to help guide global decisions to enhance resilience, equity, and sustainability.
In February 2025, the Academy participated in the (S20) inception meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, focusing on 鈥楥limate Change and Well-being鈥�. S20, comprising national science academies from G20 countries, provides evidence-based policy recommendations to G20 leaders on pressing global challenges.鈥�
Academy Fellow Dr Surinder Singh presented Australia's perspectives, including the vital role of Indigenous knowledges 鈥� developed over millennia 鈥� in addressing climate change adaptation and integrating diverse knowledge systems into scientific discourse.鈥�
Australia鈥檚 supercomputers are running out of time 鈥� and capacity. Ahead of the 2025 federal election, the Academy is calling for a $200 million annual investment over the next decade to modernise the nation鈥檚 high-performance computing and data infrastructure.
This infrastructure underpins breakthroughs in science, national defence, industry innovation and disaster response 鈥� but is reaching the end of its life. The Academy is also urging the development of a long-term national plan, replacing the current just-in-time approach with a strategy that anticipates and meets Australia鈥檚 future computational needs.
The Academy has forged new science relationships during a visit to French Polynesia by Head of International Affairs, Nancy Pritchard as part of an Australian delegation on a recent visit to French Polynesia. The French Embassy in Canberra organised the visit, during which representatives from Australian academies and universities met with their French Polynesian counterparts to explore potential areas of research collaboration, particularly for young researchers.
It is broadly recognised that if we are to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a different approach is required that draws on research as well as knowledge held in communities. That is why the International Science Council put out a call for projects that take a different approach that recognises鈥痶he important interface between science and society.
We are thrilled that in January, the鈥�痺as selected from hundreds of submissions to be鈥�疓lobal Science Mission pilot programs of the ISC.
The Asia Science Mission for Sustainability is a flagship program of the Academy-led ISC鈥��(ISC RFP A-P). Together with myriad stakeholders, it will co-design solutions that reflect the unique needs and priorities of the region. As a first step, the RFP A-P and Future Earth Asia engaged delegates at the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development in Bangkok.
New science-led partnerships in hydrogen, advanced materials, renewable energy and space have been backed through the Australian Government鈥檚 Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund (GSTDF), announced in Singapore by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP.
Managed jointly by the 精东视频 and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, the GSTDF supports grants of A$100,000 to $1,000,000 to advance regional scientific collaboration and strategic partnerships with priority partner countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Applications are now open for the second funding round.
The Academy welcomed the Australian Government鈥檚 strategic examination of research and development (R&D), emphasising the need for consistent, long-term investment in R&D. It called for a clear policy framework to support innovation, scientific collaboration, and national security.
, hosted by the 精东视频, represents Australia in the鈥� 鈥� one of the few mechanisms enabling Australia to co-invest in international science collaborations that align with our national interests as well as benefit from collective investment by other nations.
Full participation in the Forum strengthens Australia鈥檚 global scientific presence, supports diplomatic engagement, and advances shared priorities 鈥� particularly in areas like oceans research, where Australia holds regional leadership. With the Strategic Examination of R&D underway, now is the time to advocate for sustained support for international programs like the Belmont Forum.
Access to the Belmont Forum is through Future Earth Australia, which is . For more information please email futureearthaustralia@science.org.au.
The recent UNESCO Global Ministerial Dialogue on Science Diplomacy highlighted growing international momentum at the intersection of science and foreign policy. While recordings and outcomes from the event 鈥� covering strategic foresight, regional collaboration, and institutional capacity 鈥� will be valuable for Australia鈥檚 science diplomacy community, the Dialogue also reminded us that science diplomacy is essential to advancing national interests and contributing meaningfully to global scientific leadership.
The 精东视频 was pleased to contribute to a special issue of the AAAS journal Science & Diplomacy,鈥疭cience鈥疍iplomacy鈥痠n the Indo-Pacific, providing a regional perspective and valuable input into the development of the new framework.
Australia鈥檚 National Health and Medical Research Strategy needs to focus on promoting a balanced funding mix, including strategic government investment in basic research and incentives for private sector involvement in research translation.
There are scientific opportunities in the circular economy that will drive Australia鈥檚 circular economy and sustainable industry transition. Synthetic biology 鈥� the application of engineering principles to biology 鈥� can be used to redesign biological systems for environmental problem-solving.
Australia鈥檚 space sector and national capabilities are built on our capabilities in space science. Without a commitment to space science, the growth of the space sector is limited.
Australia must enhance its coordination and monitoring efforts and utilise and expand the scientific evidence base on PFAS to inform robust policy responses to address legitimate concerns.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), in collaboration with the 精东视频, will deliver $6.3鈥痬illion in grants to strengthen science and technology collaboration with regional neighbours through the second round of the Australian Government鈥檚 $40鈥痬illion Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund. Expressions of interest can be submitted鈥痶hrough the glodip.org.au website.鈥疶he deadline for submission is 4 May 2025.
Applications are now open for the 2025 round of the Asia Pacific Academic Mentoring Program. . The application period ends on Sunday 25 May at 7:00 UTC / 17:00 AEST.
Join the 精东视频 in 2025 for鈥�楢I in science: the promise, perils and path forward鈥欌�痶o explore the current and future implications of AI.
The six events held across 2025 will be a mix of panel discussions and presentations, and will feature a range of speakers from science, technology, social science, industry and government. Audiences, both in person and online, will have the opportunity to engage with speakers in the Q&A sessions at each event.
Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council, discusses the increasing threats to international scientific cooperation, such as science denialism, politicisation, and eroding trust, urging greater engagement between scientists, policymakers, and society to safeguard science as a global public good.
Science Diplomacy in an Era of Disruption is a new framework for science diplomacy developed by the Royal Society and the AAAS which focuses on how science and diplomacy engage.
'Issues in Science and Technology' has published discussions and responses to Science Diplomacy and the Rise of Technopoles written by Dr Vaughan Turekian and Sir Peter Gluckman.
The European Commission published an expert report reviewing the mission, objectives and values for European science diplomacy. The report offers recommendations for strategic, operational and enabling instruments to Europe鈥檚 strategic international cooperation in research and innovation.
In November 2023, the 精东视频 facilitated a national dialogue about how鈥痭ational security concerns can be addressed while鈥痚nabling the benefits that open scientific collaboration offers Australia and the world.鈥疶he 精东视频 has published a summary report of the event, International Scientific Collaborations in a Contested World.
The 精东视频 occasionally partners with Australian Government departments and other science and research organisations to produce independent research reports and science advice and facilitate international science linkages on their behalf. If you are interested in working with the Academy, please contact us.
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