Research isper seinternational.
It has the power to bring people together irrespective of
geographical distances or cultural differences. Despite competitive
pressures, researchers around the globe that share common
scientific interests largely embrace international collaborations
and cherish this extremely positive aspect of the business. But for
international science to reach its greatest potential it needs to
be promoted, and this is the remit of a large number of
organisations around the world. Who exactly is behind the
scenes?
Also, science and technology offer real solutions to both
national and international problems. But this wouldn't be possible
if it wasn't for individuals who understand the concepts and issues
at hand on an international scale and can bring reasonable and
well-informed debates to the international political table. Where
do these people come from and how are they trained?
The heading of internationalism and diplomacy is indeed broad,
and over the course of June, Next Wave will illuminate a host of
rewarding career possibilities in this field.
We will take you behind the scenes of national funding
organisations with international programmes, as well as
international organisations entirely dedicated to the promotion of
science. Our essayists will also include people working in
government science divisions and nongovernmental organisations, and
each will illustrate their own role in influencing the policy
decision making process at an international level. Those
high-profile organisations which are called upon for expert views
in the midst of a global crisis will also be in the crop. Finally,
we will have stories about embassy life from scientists who are
working in a more traditional diplomatic role as science
attachés.
The list is long and the career paths are varied. In fact, we
have also asked individuals who don't have a natural science
background but one in social sciences, humanities, and economics
(as a proportion of our readers do) to explain from their
perspective how and why they got involved in such a sector and what
they can offer professionally to issues related to the natural
sciences. In this respect, science knowledge can, in many cases, be
acquired on the job. The reverse is also true, natural scientists
can learn about social and economic issues. Therefore, the career
profiles of people going into these positions are broad. The result
can be an extremely stimulating and enriching work environment.
Several clear and united messages are echoing from all quarters.
The first is that an increasing number of opportunities are
emerging. Second, they will largely appeal to scientists who are
happy to leave the highly focused environment of a research lab for
a broader remit, i.e., working on the "bigger picture". Undoubtedly
the positions are as demanding as rewarding, and they are not
devoid of tricky situations--such as perhaps having to promote a
policy decision that may not lay 100% comfortably within your own
personal beliefs.
Our essayists illustrate how and why they got into these roles,
what their positions truly entail, and what makes them stay. We
hope that these unvarnished stories guide you to new opportunities
where you can combine a passion for science with an interest and
aptitude for building and strengthening international and
diplomatic relationships.
PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND COOPERATION
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How Science Shapes My Work in International
Relations
Roberta Kacowicz is the first woman and Brazilian to
head the regional British Council office in northeast Brazil. She
leads the British Council's science communication projects and
explains the rewards of professionally nurturing Brazilian and
British relationships through science.
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From Science Fellowships to Reintegration Grants -
Evolving Priorities
NATO's Science Fellowship Programme has been running since the
1950s but was recently replaced by the so-called Reintegration
Grant Programme. This funding scheme was conceived both to reduce
brain drain of young scientists particularly from Russia and
central Asia and to specifically focus on security related
research. In this piece, its Programme director,
Fausto Pedrazzini , explains why funding priorities have
shifted and believes, "that the new grants are practical example of
international co-operation, which will contribute to peace,
progress and stability".
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Life at the (Funding) Frontiers
Martin Reddington works for the Human Frontier Science
Program Organization, a funding body with the specific aims of
breaking down both geographical and disciplinary barriers. For this
reason, and because of his increasing enjoyment of organizational
and administrative duties, Martin Reddington, left a permanent
group leader position at a Max Planck Institute in Germany to work
in the realm of international funding.
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Facilitating Science
International collaborations in science don't just happen;
someone has to make them happen. NSF's Office of International
Science and Engineering, promotes international cooperation in
these disciplines throughout the world. Just back from Africa's
Lake Tanganyika, NSF's
Elizabeth Lyons talks about her work coordinating
science in Africa to Next Wave?s North American Editor, Jim
Austin.
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Searching for and Creating New 'Ways'
Young Hungarian researcher
Marta Maczel is a passionate biological anthropologist
who has taken part in various mobility and exchange programmes
during her postgraduate studies in Europe. She brings this rich
experience to the World Academy of Young Scientists (WAYS) - a
global forum for young researchers which she is now heading in
Budapest. In this piece Marta describes her very rewarding position
at WAYS but also discusses her concerns about leaving the
bench.
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At the Center of International Debates
With a chemistry and environmental science background,
Laurie Geller's interest in environmental politics and
the bigger picture led her to taking up an AAAS Environmental
Fellowship. She now works for the International Council for Science
in Paris, at the forefront of international debates on sustainable
development.
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From Three Years in the Dark to the Dazzling World of
International Affairs
Working in the international affairs department of one of the
main UK Government agencies for funding was not a career move that
chemist
Naomi Webber had planned. But nonetheless she feels that
her PhD prepared her with the necessary transferable skills and she
is tremendously enjoying her challenging if (not always) glamorous
position.
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Science and International Relations
Marina Ratchford has a background in geography and
business and describes how she got involved in running
international science programs. She highlights the rewards she has
reaped professionally, for example, by organizing the AAAS Lecture
Series on Women in Science and Engineering--a program that has
linked female scientists from the United States and Latin
America.
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SCIENCE MEETS DIPLOMACY
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Saving the World is All a Hat Trick
Occupying positions that combine scientific knowledge and talent
in diplomacy, Canadian
David Brackett wears many different hats at high profile
global organizations. In an interview with Next Wave?s Canadian
Editor, Andrew Fazekas, this former zoologist describes his path to
international success and offers advice for scientists who want to
follow in his footsteps.
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The Bilateral Bridge
Annemarie Nulle is what you could call the Netherlands'
"innovation trend spotter" in France. Working as a Technological
Scientific Councillor at the Dutch Embassy in Paris, she provides
Dutch clients with information about research developments in
France and gets them in touch with their French counterparts. In an
interview with Next Wave?s Dutch Editor, Terry Vrijenhoek, she
explains how she got there and exactly what her position
entails.
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What is a Soil Scientist doing in NATO?
Indeed soil scientist,
Fausto Pedrazzini , has more than an intriguing career
path to tell. Not only has he an international research career
under his belt, but he has also served as science attaché to the
Italian Embassies in both Brussels and Ottawa. Currently, he is
working for NATO, as their Programme Director for Public
Diplomacy.
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My Contribution to Scientific Research and Diplomacy
- Fate and Personal Drive
György Pálfi is convinced that in addition to personal
drive, fate plays a major role in the development of a scientific
career. With an established research career to his name, and
certain skills and experiences he has acquired outside the lab, he
more recently became a science and technologyattachéfor the
Hungarian Embassy in Paris.
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Science and Diplomacy, As Seen From the Diplomatic
Front Lines
Next Wave's Managing Editor Alan Kotok talks to veteran U.S.
diplomat
Sally Cowal about a fascinating career to date, one that
entailed working in U.S. government departmentsandas a
diplomat. Cowal gives an overview on some of the hot topics where
science meets diplomacy face-to-face. She explains why diplomats
need to learn more about the world of science and why scientists
who care about the impact of science on society may well find a
diplomatic career a good way to fulfill that need.
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From Academia to Embassy: An Unusual Career Path
Canadian national Philip Hicks was a very established
international academic when he took the plunge to take the position
of a science and technology counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in
Tokyo. He says, "although I have a nonbench job, I am required to
have my finger on the pulse of science constantly". Read his
article from the
Next Wave archives to get a firsthand insight in how
scientists can work in embassies.
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DISCOVERING SCIENCE AT INTERNATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES
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Strengthening Research Capacity in the Developing
World
Lester Chitsulo is currently working at the WHO in the
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases,
focusing on building research capacity to its full potential in the
least developed countries of the world.
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International Development Work - Challenges and
Rewards
Joan Woods , is currently working at the U.S. Agency for
International Development in Malawi as an overseas AAAS/USAID
fellow. In this article she explains why she, a biology graduate,
undertook a career that brought her to sub-Saharan Africa and to
work at the intersection of two important development sectors -
health and education.
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INTERESTED IN READING MORE?
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Career
Resources for Scientists in Internationalism and Diplomacy: -
Next Wave brings you some career transition starting points for
those who love science but could conceive leaving the bench and
getting stuck into international and diplomatic issues.
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Of course career paths inInternationalism and
Diplomacygreatly cross over with those inScience Policy.
If you are interested in reading about further aspects of careers
inScience Policy, including opportunities at a national
level, do take a look at our 2003
feature , entirely dedicated to this topic.
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