University hosts international forum on the power of science diplomacy

The event, arranged in collaboration with UNESCO, marks the first phase of plans to create a national centre of excellence in Plymouth

The University of Plymouth and UNESCO's Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe held a Science Diplomacy Consultative Forum to explore the role of universities in science diplomacy for a shared future

University hosts international forum on the power of science diplomacy

The event, arranged in collaboration with UNESCO, marks the first phase of plans to create a national centre of excellence in Plymouth

15 July 2026

The University of Plymouth has taken a big step towards establishing a new Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society.

The plans were discussed at a Science Diplomacy Consultative Forum hosted by the University in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe.

And they are part of Plymouth’s longer-term ambition to achieve UNESCO Category 2 Centre status to support the global higher education and research community.

The event – attended by representatives from government, diplomacy, international organisations and the wider scientific community – explored the role of universities in science diplomacy for a shared future.

This is a big moment for our University and the start of a very important conversation.

We’re asking what the role of universities should be in science diplomacy, and how can we organise ourselves to play that role more effectively. This question connects directly to who we are as a University and as a city, each of them shaped by international connections and questions of sustainability and resilience. Ours is a city that understands the relationship between environment, economy, security, community and place, while our University’s academic and research strengths give us strong foundations for science diplomacy in practice.

Professor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

The proposed Centre for Science Diplomacy at the University of Plymouth is a timely and exciting idea.

It could build on the important work that Plymouth is already doing, while strengthening the bridge between universities, UNESCO and other multilateral institutions. It could also help demonstrate how science diplomacy works in practice: through networks, places, evidence, policy and long-term relationships.

Anna Nsubuga
UK Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO

The event was co-hosted by the Sustainable Earth Institute and Marine Institute and organised by the University Intergovernmental Working Group, chaired by Dr Munira Raji and including Professor Will Blake, Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor Iain Stewart MBE, Professor Melanie Austen, Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop, Dr Kimberly Tam and Professor Kevin Jones.

Its goal was to help shape the vision, priorities and partnerships for the proposed Centre for Science Diplomacy, which will be based in Plymouth and work collaboratively across the UK university sector and beyond.

The event brought together senior representatives and distinguished contributors from UNESCO, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the European Commission, the European Science Diplomacy Alliance, and leading UK academic and policy communities.

Through keynote addresses, panel sessions and workshops, participants explored how universities can strengthen science diplomacy, support international cooperation, inform policy, and help address shared global challenges.

Drawing on the University and its partners' interdisciplinary research and higher education training strengths in sustainability, the forum also provided a platform for dialogue, partnership building, and multilateral engagement to support evidence-informed progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Read more information related to this article