Science Diplomacy in the European Union: Practices and Prospects

The European Commission has recently started to revamp its institutional setting and policies, also in order to engage more explicitly in science diplomacy (SD). While this initiative has been appreciated, it comes along with a variety of challenges. This policy brief identifies three particular and interrelated challenges pertaining to SD in the European Union: (i) defining science diplomacy as a variable, yet encompassing and succinct framework, (ii) the coordination between member states and the EU, and (iii) the training of staff engaging in SD. First, it is key to comprehend that SD is a variable but not an arbitrary concept. We suggest conceptualizing SD by applying a meta-governance framework that is sensitive to changing configurations of actors, governance arrangements and policy practices in a case-specific way. Second, the Commission and the member states institutions are advised to re-visit and clarify where and how SD should be applied in a coordinated way given numerous challenges that all actors are facing. Third, there is a need for training skills in SD, starting with raising awareness within in-stitutions of the manifold dimensions that SD has at the intersection of S&T and foreign policy. Avoiding academic prescriptions, we follow and synthetize the advice from SD practitioners in the EU who shared their experiences and needs with us.