Presentation by Sir Mark Walport at the Science Advice to Governments conference held in Auckland, 28-29 August 2014.

1. Science Diplomacy
A big country perspective
Sir Mark Walport
Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government

2. What does being a big country mean?
• More GDP means economies
of scale for scientific advice
• We have the capacity to do
research in lots of different
areas
• Quick access to high quality
domestic scientific networks
• More diplomatic influence
2 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective
Credit: iStockphoto

3. Three different kinds of Scientific
Diplomacy
• Diplomacy for science
• Helping scientists to achieve their goals
– diplomacy supports science
• Science in diplomacy
• Science informs policy objectives by
providing robust evidence or access to
people and networks – science
supports our diplomatic
competencies
• Science for diplomacy
• Science is a beach head in politically
difficult circumstances and can lead to
improved political, social and economic
links – science builds diplomatic
relations
Credit: Arpingstone
3 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

4. The common theme is scientists
Scientists:
• Can speak a common ‘language’
• Can argue in public more easily than
diplomats!
• Can talk about difficult subjects more
acceptably
• Are often more ‘believed’, especially by
the public
• Are very used to sharing, (facilities,
people and ideas!) across boundaries
In fact, science is at its best when it is
an international endeavour
4 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

5. Our first steps – the Royal Society
• The Royal Society appointed
a Foreign Secretary in 1723
• Role to maintain regular
correspondence with
scientists overseas
• This was 59 years before the
UK appointed its first foreign
secretary
• Continues to today with
Martin Poliakoff FRS
5 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective
Credit: Royal Society
Credit: Royal Society

6. 6 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective
Credit: Olivier H. Beauchesne

7. International collaboration is the way
to solve international problems
• Many 21st century challenges
require scientific
collaboration
• Climate change
• Poverty reduction
• Food security
• Nuclear disarmament
• Collaboration is essential for
our domestic science
• Strength of research base
• Creativity of innovation
ecosystem
• Knowledge economy
• More export potential!
Credit: CraneStation/CC BY 2.0 Credit: Earth Institute
Credit: vauvau/CC BY 2.0 Credit: US Department of Energy
7 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

8. What does good international
collaboration look like?
• Access to world class
facilities, people and ideas
• Access to multilateral funding
(e.g. Horizon 2020)
• Reputation as a science and
innovation nation
• Attracts foreign direct
investment
• Attracts overseas students
• Lends credibility in debates
8 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

9. A taste of what international
collaboration has helped us to
achieve
• 46% of UK scientific papers
were produced collaboratively
with overseas authors
• 42 of the top 100 most
international universities are in
the UK (The Times, London)
• In 2011, the UK attracted $7
billion overseas-financed R&D
• UK is now the #1 recipient of
EU FP7 research funds
• Leading participants in LHC,
ITER and SKA
9 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

10. Three UK initiatives:
1. Science & Innovation Networks
(SIN)
• Set up in 2001 with the aim of
linking science more directly to
its foreign policy priorities.
• Now 93 staff in 28 countries and
47 cities around the world
• Work alongside other diplomats
and representatives of UK
bodies
• Understand and link science to
policy, people and priorities
Science and Innovation Network offices across the globe
10 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

11. Three UK initiatives:
2. Foreign Office Chief Scientific
Adviser
• The Foreign Office appointed
their first Chief Scientific
Adviser in 2009
• Post now filled by Robin
Grimes, a nuclear physicist
• Integrates science across
Foreign Office priorities
• Improves linkages to other
government departments
11 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective
Credit: EPSRC

12. Three UK initiatives:
3. The Newton Fund
• Established this year
• Develops economic
development and welfare of
emerging economies through
science and innovation
partnerships
• £75 million per year for five
years
• Requires matched funding
from partner countries, the
private sector, foundations
and multilateral organisations
112 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective

13. Closing remarks
• International science
collaboration is a tool both for
diplomacy and as an engine
for the economy
• We must remain open to
world-leading scientists
sharing knowledge
• The growing capabilities
of BRICs and others are
an opportunity for greater
international engagement
• Collaboration is the key to
pursuing our shared goals
13 Science Diplomacy – A big country perspective
Credit: NASA

14. @uksciencechief
www.gov.uk/go-science
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