In today's rapidly changing world, the role of universities in shaping international relations has never been more crucial. As we face complex challenges like geopolitical instability, the ongoing effects of the global pandemic, and the looming threat of climate change, policymakers need sound, evidence-based advice more than ever.
The University of London Institute in Paris, working with ICR Research and other partners including the British Council and the Goethe Institute, is hosting a second conference as part of its Knowledge Diplomacy project on 3-4 July. The event will explore how universities can better support diplomats and policymakers through relevant scholarship and the soft power of cultural institutions.
The conference aims to tackle several pressing questions:
- How can universities work effectively with policymakers to provide timely and accessible policy recommendations?
- Should universities focus on developing long-term, anticipatory policies rather than short-term ones tied to election cycles?
- What value do 'non-traditional' policy disciplines like history and philosophy bring to policy advice?
- How can universities support civil society input on policy advice, particularly from the Global South?
Conference Themes and Objectives
Discussions will centre around key themes such as addressing geopolitical instability, combating climate change, and managing the impact of emerging technologies. The conference aims to produce a summary report with key recommendations for enhancing university-policymaker collaboration.
Distinguished Speakers
We're thrilled to welcome two renowned experts as our keynote speakers:
Sir Geoffrey John Mulgan CBE, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London, will deliver the opening address. With his extensive experience as the former Chief Executive of Nesta and a policy director under Tony Blair, Sir Geoffrey is well-placed to inspire new thinking on research-policy collaboration.
Professor Simon Marginson from the University of Oxford will close the conference with insights on universities' role in global knowledge diplomacy. As Director of the ESRC/RE Centre for Global Higher Education, Professor Marginson brings a wealth of knowledge on the broader societal impacts of higher education across different cultural contexts.
Evening Event: Language Learning and Educational Diplomacy
We are grateful to the Goethe Institut London who will host an evening event on 3 July, focusing on language learning and educational diplomacy. This session will showcase how research findings can be effectively translated into real-world applications, using language teaching as a concrete example.
For more information on the Knowledge Diplomacy project, please visit the University of London Institute in Paris website.