What is the role of science in environmental diplomacy?

The purpose of this workshop is to foster dialogue between scholars and environmental practitioners on the
role of science in environmental diplomacy. It is part of the H2020 project InsSciDE (insscide.eu) addressing
science diplomacy in a European context. InsSciDE is an interdisciplinary consortium engaging historians and
sociologists of science and technology, networks of diplomats, experts of strategy and policy makers to bring
science diplomacy into the foreground and to make better use of it. Organising the workshop is the
“Environment” work package, which explores past, current and future roles of science and scientists in
environment actions and especially in the context of “environmental diplomacy”. 1

The two-day workshop in June 2020 will combine practitioner experience with research expertise. On day
one, professionals with backgrounds in negotiating the environment through policy, agreements and accords
will be invited to both share their experiences and formulate pertinent questions to a group of scholars
engaged in research. On day two, we have a full day of research discussions.

For this second day we ask for submissions. In order to foster a more interactive and collaborative
environment, we ask you to submit 500-word “discussion proposals” on the overarching issue of
environmental diplomacy and science. These discussion proposals are intended to be both provocative and
innovative, for example challenging theories, proposing new ways of thinking or encouraging interdisciplinarity.

They can be theoretical, empirical, or both, but should be rooted in research, and have a clear
purpose and position. The proposals will be commented on by another scholar, and the audience will be
invited into the discussion.

The workshop will conclude with a half-day discussion where the proposals are linked to the overarching aim
of connecting practitioner experience with research. A central question will be: “Where do we go next in this
intersection of environmental and science diplomacy?”

Deadline for submissions is February 15th. We will give notice March 1st.

Practical things: This workshop is organized by WP7 in InsSciDE. Further funding will be applied for, but
presently we cannot offer more than food, tea and coffee during the workshop. Please indicate in your
submission if your participation is dependent on us funding your trip and/or stay.
Organising committee: Nina Wormbs, Simone Turchetti, Sam Robinson and Miyase Christensen
Questions and submissions to nina@kth.se.

1 Some relevant literature: J. Brooks Flippen, “Richard Nixon, Russell Train, and the Birth of Modern American Environmental
Diplomacy,” Diplomatic History 32/4 (2008): 613–638; Kurkpatrick Dorsey, Whales and Nations: Environmental Diplomacy on the
High Seas, University of Washington Press, 2013; Stephen Brain, “The Appeal of Appearing Green: Soviet-American Competition and
Cold War Environmental Diplomacy,” Cold War History 16/4 (2016): 443-462.