The EU could boost its global influence through a unified science diplomacy strategy, linking research with foreign policy to strengthen its geopolitical role.
How can the EU leverage its research community to gain more geopolitical influence? The answer may lie in a unified science diplomacy approach. This suggestion is laid out in the recently published European Framework on Science Diplomacy. The report summarises the result of co-creation activities by 130 European experts through a series of workshops and conferences, following the 2021 Council Conclusion to develop a European Science Diplomacy Agenda. It offers a succinct overview of the different dimensions of science diplomacy, elaborates on the current European context, and sets out recommendations how science diplomacy may be strengthened within the EU.
Science diplomacy is described as the intersection between the diplomatic pursuit of state interests on the one hand and science, encompassing all disciplines, on the other hand. It may occur by politicians using science as a means to make evidence-informed policies (science in diplomacy), or when access to science and its outputs are leveraged as a diplomatic tool vis-à-vis other countries (science for diplomacy). A lesser known dimension of science diplomacy is the increased use of diplomatic tools by scientists (diplomacy in science), for instance, when researchers publicly distance themselves from other countries in the context of political or ideological tensions. Accordingly, science diplomacy involves both state and non-state actors, and may occur either top-down or bottom-up.
The report outlines how science diplomacy is not a new concept per se, but in fact lies at the beginning of European Collaboration, with CERN and the EURATOM contract pre-dating economic and political cooperation between European countries. However, the field has only gained traction among scholars and on the international policy level since the late 2000s. A main premise of the report is the authors’ critique that Europe still lacks a unified framework for science diplomacy. Multiple factors are outlined which increase the urgency for a coordinated European approach today: The EU’s strategic dependencies on key technologies from China and the U.S. are not only considered to lead to lower economic competitiveness, but further weaken Europe’s soft power. Moreover, growing distrust in science, largely stemming from the COVID-crisis and a polarisation of narratives found in public discourse, highlight a need for more active science diplomacy. A European approach, rooted in common principles and values, could, according to the experts, strengthen the credibility of Europe’s technological and regulatory regime, make Europe a more prestigious partner for international collaborations, as well as strengthen EU foreign and security policy.
The report sets out a multidimensional framework, encompassing operational, enabling, and strategic instruments for a coherent European science diplomacy approach. On an operational level, the experts recommend several levers for capacity-building. Considering that, according to the report, only two thirds of all EU member states have dedicated positions on science diplomacy in their diplomatic services (e.g. Science and Technology Counsellors), boosting professional expertise in this area at the national level is one of the identified action areas. At the EU level, the European External Action Service is recommended to build up its own capacity of experts, to holistically link EU foreign and security policy to science. Enablers which are identified within the framework include a broader offer of training in science diplomacy, for instance through a dedicated Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network, or through tailoring the curricula of future European Degrees to this field (see SwissCore article). The experts further recommend the horizontal integration of science diplomacy training across all EU funded research projects with an international dimension. This is also related to the proposal to include more research on science diplomacy in the next two years under Horizon Europe and under the forthcoming framework programme.
Importantly, the framework also entails several recommendations how the EU can profit from building stronger research ties to third countries such as Switzerland. First, collaboration with trusted and like-minded countries is considered particularly advantageous concerning research infrastructure. CERN, for instance, which is based in Switzerland, and is a truly international collaborative endeavour, would exceed any national or even EU-budget, and brings together scientists from different continents. Second, acknowledging researcher mobility in the short and long term, the experts recommend better leveraging the diaspora of scientists in third countries to engage with the local science community. Lastly, liaison with third countries through strategic actions of science diplomacy could be mutually beneficial in the context of the current world order. As an example, education and research increasingly find their way in the Global Gateway strategy, with the aim of increasing European credibility and trustworthiness globally.
The report comes at a crucial time as the EU grapples with its own competitiveness in a global context. A topic of particular sensitivity, openness versus restriction of science, is also discussed in the report: Science diplomacy is considered complementary to research security, as it is concerned with seeking safe opportunities for strategic engagement with external partners. It therefore allows for a more nuanced approach, putting an emphasis on “openness” rather than “restriction”. The authors further emphasise that the current geopolitical context offers an opportune moment to leverage decades of investment in European research and innovation for diplomatic means. This is because the EU may assert its position internationally by boosting Europe’s science diplomacy capacities, closing gaps between national frameworks, and linking foreign policy with research policy. The European Commission is now expected to evaluate and potentially take up some of the recommendations put forth.