Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society (CSD-ES)
Where research, education, international partnership and policy engagement reinforce one another
Why does science diplomacy matter today?
Climate change. Biodiversity loss. Ocean degradation. Water and food insecurity. The defining challenges of this century share one thing: none of them stop at a border, and none of them can be solved by evidence, policy or diplomacy acting alone. What they demand is trust, sustained relationships and cooperation convening continual dialogue across political and institutional cycles. Universities are well placed to provide it: generating knowledge, educating future leaders, and convening dialogue that outlasts any single government.
The growing case for university-led science diplomacy
Science diplomacy is moving from a relatively specialist concept into a more structured policy and institutional agenda — and universities are increasingly part of that shift. Their role extends beyond providing scientific evidence: universities can convene trusted dialogue, educate future science diplomats, sustain long-term international partnerships and connect research communities with governments, diplomatic institutions and multilateral organisations. Demand for scientific evidence in intergovernmental processes is growing, and scientists are showing a greater willingness to engage directly in them.
Why Plymouth is well placed for science diplomacy
Our approach is grounded in Plymouth's maritime heritage and internationally recognised expertise in marine, community health, and resilient societies, and the South West's remarkable concentration of UNESCO sites — a place already shaped by learning, collaboration and demonstration, building on the University's significant strengths in environmental and societal research.
The Centre offers a trusted convening and neutral space where different communities can come together to inform international processes, connecting expertise to where it's needed most.
We develop the next generation of science diplomats, connect evidence directly with policy, convene trusted dialogue between nations, and build equitable international partnerships — combining research with practical engagement, evidence translation, capacity building and demonstrator projects that show what science diplomacy can achieve in practice.
Vision
A world in which scientific knowledge, trusted relationships and international cooperation are mobilised to address shared environmental and societal challenges.
Mission
We advance science diplomacy — connecting research and policy with diplomacy — to inform action across borders.
Science diplomacy is built on trust and understanding. It underpins how evidence becomes policy, and policy becomes action. At Plymouth, our ambition is to make that connection practical and equitable — because the world’s environmental and societal challenges can't be solved by any one institution or country alone.
Dr Munira Raji
Head, Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society
What does the Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society do?
The strategic framework through which the Centre operates was collaboratively co-developed by the
Plymouth Science Diplomacy Forum , convened by the University of Plymouth's
Sustainable Earth Institute and the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. It brought together university leaders, the UK's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, European Commission science-diplomacy leadership, and practitioners from across the field.
A central principle guides the Centre's work: honest brokerage. Researchers don't hold a mandate to dictate policy — their role is to make evidence, uncertainty and trade-offs clear enough that decision-makers can judge their own choices.
The implication for the Centre is important: effective science diplomacy must understand the contexts in which decisions are made and build trusted relationships through which evidence can inform dialogue and action, rather than assuming that better evidence alone will resolve disagreement.
Dr Samuel Partey
Head of Science Unit, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe
Strategic Pillars in Science Diplomacy
Education and Training the Next Generation of Science Diplomats
We will equip students, researchers, University staff and external professionals with the knowledge, skills, confidence and international experience to work across science, policy and diplomacy.
- We will train in science communication, including communicating uncertainty, and in policy-brief writing and policy engagement.
- We will build skills in negotiation, diplomatic and intercultural communication, through simulations, mentoring and multilateral exposure.
- We will develop leadership, networking and relationship-building, and a working understanding of government, parliamentary and multilateral systems.
- We will embed responsible international partnership and ethical decision-making throughout.
Strategic Partnerships, Convening and Influence
We will establish the Centre as a trusted platform connecting universities, governments, diplomatic institutions, UNESCO, international organisations, research bodies, communities, industry and civil society.
- We will host the recurring Plymouth Science Diplomacy Forum and convene targeted policy roundtables and strategic dialogues.
- We will offer facilitated retreats on major global challenges and build direct engagement with Chief Scientific Advisers and relevant government departments.
- We will run a proactive policy-briefing and evidence-synthesis series, and host international visiting fellows and distinguished speakers.
- Our long-term ambition is to convene increasingly senior national and international science-policy and diplomatic dialogues.
Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society
We will apply science diplomacy to four shared environmental and societal challenges where Plymouth has recognised expertise, established partnerships and the potential to make a distinctive impact.
- Ocean and Climate Resilience
Ocean and coastal governance; climate adaptation; water security; environmental risks and disaster resilience.
- Land, Resources and Sustainable Systems
Land and soil; sustainable food systems; responsible natural-resource governance; geodiversity.
- Biodiversity, Environment and Health
Biodiversity and ecosystem protection; environmental health; One Health.
- Technology, Security and Emerging Challenges
AI and emerging technologies; cyber/maritime resilience; technology governance.
Flagship programmes of the Centre
Plymouth Science Diplomacy Academy
The Centre's structured education offer — from a foundation programme and short courses through to an early-career academy, student multilateral experience, visiting practitioners and partner-led international training — grounded throughout in the Centre's own case studies, demonstrators and network.
Plymouth Global Forum and Knowledge-to-Action
An annual Forum as the Centre's principal open convening platform, alongside year-round routes from evidence to policy — roundtables, rapid evidence synthesis, foresight and expert briefings — so influence isn't limited to a single event a year.
Science Diplomacy Living Labs and Innovation Pathways
Selected places and challenges — from UNESCO-linked sites to coastal systems and climate resilience — used as demonstrators, connecting promising evidence and innovation with the institutions needed to act on it: governments, communities, international organisations, development finance and indus
Five cross-cutting enablers support all Flagship Programmes: proportionate governance, diversified finance and resource mobilisation, strategic partnerships and global networks, responsible use of UNESCO programmes and sites, and digital collaboration and impact monitoring — with equity and responsible partnership running through them all.
University of Plymouth experts advancing science diplomacy
Plymouth's science diplomacy agenda has roots in relationships built over many years. In March 2024, the University hosted an interdisciplinary Official Development Assistance (ODA) workshop on climate adaptation in the Global South, bringing together researchers and partners from Tanzania, Malaysia, the Philippines, Peru, Nigeria, Ghana, Chile, South Africa and Indonesia — many connected through years of collaboration via the Global Challenges Research Fund and Newton Fund.
It was a reminder that science diplomacy doesn't only happen in embassies and negotiating rooms; it also happens where researchers and communities come together across borders to build trust and shared understanding. Building on these longstanding international partnerships, discussions during a UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe visit to Plymouth in February 2026 catalysed the development of a dedicated Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society.
Researchers across the University regularly participate in science diplomacy, as demonstrated by, but not limited to, members of the Centre's steering group.
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![Dr Munira Raji Strategic Research Institute Co-ordinator]( "Dr Munira Raji")
Dr Munira Raji
Strategic Research Institute Co-ordinator
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![Professor Iain Stewart MBE Professor of Geoscience Communication, Sustainable Earth Institute]( "Professor Iain Stewart MBE")
Professor Iain Stewart MBE
Professor of Geoscience Communication, Sustainable Earth Institute
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![Professor Will Blake Professor of Catchment Science]( "Professor Will Blake")
Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
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![Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop Associate Head of School - International]( "Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop")
Professor Abigail McQuatters-Gollop
Associate Head of School - International
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![Professor Melanie Austen Professor of Ocean and Society]( "Professor Melanie Austen")
Professor Melanie Austen
Professor of Ocean and Society
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![Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS Professor in Marine Biology]( "Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS")
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Professor in Marine Biology
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![Professor Kevin Jones Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Innovation]( "Professor Kevin Jones")
Professor Kevin Jones
Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Innovation
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![Professor Kimberly Tam Professor of Cyber Security]( "Professor Kimberly Tam")
Professor Kimberly Tam
Professor of Cyber Security
Together, this work reflects what the Centre exists to build on: individual expertise already shaping international policy, now brought together with the structure, training and convening power to do so more deliberately and at greater scale.
How can you engage with the Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society?
The Centre for Science Diplomacy for Environment and Society welcomes collaboration with governments, international organisations, universities and research institutions, foreign ministries and diplomatic missions, including embassies and high commissions, multilateral institutions, industry and civil society working at the intersection of science, policy, diplomacy and international cooperation.
Opportunities to engage with the Centre include:
- Strategic partnerships and international collaboration — developing long-term partnerships around shared environmental and societal challenges.
- Science diplomacy education and capacity development — participating in training, professional development and experiential programmes for current and future science diplomacy practitioners.
- Policy dialogue and knowledge-to-action — working with the Centre to connect scientific evidence with policy through strategic dialogue, convening, evidence synthesis and knowledge brokerage.
- Collaborative programmes and demonstrators — co-developing practical initiatives that apply science diplomacy to environmental and societal challenges and generate transferable learning and impact.
- Events, networks and international exchange — participating in the Plymouth Science Diplomacy Forum, Centre events, visiting programmes and wider national and international communities of practice.
Connect with the Centre to explore opportunities for strategic collaboration, capacity development, policy engagement and international partnership.
Join our network
Email: munira.raji@plymouth.ac.uk
Office address: Sustainable Earth Institute (SEI), University of Plymouth, The Sustainability Hub, Kirkby Lodge, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
In the news
- Plymouth academic helps shape how the world adapts to climate change
- University leads new report highlighting health of the UK’s plankton communities
- University hosts international forum on the power of science diplomacy
- Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
- Study explores how science can support and enable the High Seas Treaty
- “Sand is not unlimited – we need to treat it responsibly”
- University co-leads $2m project using AI to study vulnerable deep-sea habitats
- Partnership aims to advance climate-smart agriculture research
- Academic nominated by UK Government to contribute to global biodiversity assessment of nature’s contributions to people
- Researchers help to highlight the true scale of UK’s nature loss
Our research team
Dr Munira Raji
Strategic Research Institute Co-ordinator
Professor Will Blake
Professor of Catchment Science
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Professor in Marine Biology
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