Science & Policy for Environmental Action

About

From climate change to biodiversity loss or plastic pollution, environmental crises have become more complex and intertwined, calling for active engagement between scientists and policy actors towards science-informed solutions.

To achieve this, a great number of stakeholders need specific skills and capacities to navigate the science-policy interface related to environmental governance towards ecological transition. In this context, International Geneva is host to a rather unique ecosystem that creates opportunities for science to join the policy table and for policy to inform science on knowledge gaps, thus allowing to pair knowledge and action for the common good across a wide pool of expertise.

Course leader

Academic Director: Dr. Frédérique Guerin, Geneva Science Policy Interface & Dr. Alexandre Hedjazi, Insitute for Environmental Sciences, Univeristy of Geneva

Target group

- Early-career researchers (minimum Ph.D. candidates). Master's students might be allowed in the programme on a case by case basis if their background and motivation letter show strong interest and/or early experience in science-policy engagement).
- Policy professionals from International Organisations,diplomatic missions and public agencies
- Professionals from NGOs, civil society organisations, platforms, media and the private sector

Course aim

This Geneva Summer School offers a unique opportunity for early career researchers, policy professionals and civil society actors to:

- Understand transnational policymaking and the use of evidence and scientific knowledge : participants will gain insights into the notion of environmental governance, how policies are formulated and implemented at the international, national and local levels, the role of evidence and scientific knowledge in decision-making processes, as well as the role of non-state actors.
- Explore various models and practices to produce and translate knowledge in support of environmental policymaking: participants will understand how the interactions between science and policy actors have evolved over time, from linear approaches to more relational and integrated approaches, learn practical resources and skills to conduct knowledge translation initiatives and policy dialogues, and get to know the critical role of boundary organisations and knowledge brokers play.
- Gain practical insights from high-level experts and practitioners from International Geneva while exploring some of the key locations of environmental governance: participants will find out about the dynamics and politics of expertise in policymaking from seasoned experts with first-hand experience and discover the strategic and cultural skills required to navigate the science-policy interface.
- Build a network and gain interdisciplinary exposure: participants will get opportunities for networking with researchers, peers and experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and sectors of activity, broadening their perspectives, and developing their capacity for interdisciplinary approaches to addressing global environmental challenges.
- Develop leadership skills and discover career pathways in different contexts: participants will get the opportunity to share about their current research or professional activity and benefit from feedback on how to further advance their objectives.

The course will include conceptual framing sessions, interactive sessions with practitioners, practical, experiential activities and field visits. It will involve high-level experts and practitioners working at the science-policy interface.

Fee info