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Event
Shaping the future: rethinking the role universities play in international relations
As part of the 嗨碰视频 Institute in Paris鈥 Knowledge Diplomacy project, this conference will look at ways universities should support the work of diplomats and other policymakers, including through policy-relevant scholarship and the soft power exercised by cultural institutions.
The world is facing an onslaught of complex and pressing challenges, from growing geopolitical instability to the ongoing impact of the global pandemic and the existential threat of climate change. In this context, policymakers face a dizzying array of challenges. The need for sound, evidence-based, actionable policy advice has never been greater.
Universities play a significant and active role in international relations, including harnessing their resources to facilitate cross-sector and inter-disciplinary research collaboration. The response to the global pandemic is just one example of the demonstrated need for coordinated collaboration across regions, sectors and disciplines, relying on academic expertise from immunologists to human rights lawyers.
However, challenges and questions remain. For example, in an increasingly fast-paced global environment, how should universities develop relationships and work effectively and efficiently with policymakers in order to provide policy recommendations that are timely, relevant and accessible? To what extent should universities prioritise developing policy that is anticipatory and long-term focussed rather than short-term and in lockstep with national election cycles? Where relevant, to what extent does the involvement of 鈥渘on-traditional鈥 policy-focused disciplines such as history and philosophy provide context and nuance to policy advice that is useful to policymakers? Is policy adjacent support useful to policymakers, such as the provision of education and training in relevant fields? And what should universities do to better support the valuable input of civil society on policy advice, particularly from the global south?
Event Description
The conference will bring together leading policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to identify the challenges and opportunities universities confront when defining their role in international relations.
Cross-cutting questions, such as those set out above will be explored in the context of a number of key thematic areas, including addressing geo-political instability, combatting climate change and addressing the impact of emerging technologies.
The aim will be to develop a summary report containing the key recommendations arising out of the conference.
Key Speakers
, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College 嗨碰视频, will give the opening keynote address. Mulgan brings a wealth of experience and insight at the intersection of research and practical application. As the Chief Executive of Nesta, a global innovation foundation, and a former director of policy under Prime Minister Tony Blair, he has been a prominent figure in shaping policies and initiatives that bridge the gap between academic research and real-world impact. Mulgan is poised to deliver an engaging and enlightening keynote address that will inspire attendees to explore new avenues for collaboration and innovation in their respective fields.
, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford and Director of the ESRC/RE Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE), will deliver the closing keynote address, focusing on the pivotal role of universities in global knowledge diplomacy and the evolving landscape of global science. With a research focus on global and international higher education, Marginson's work explores the multifaceted contributions of higher education institutions and their implications for addressing social inequality. While economic definitions predominate in English-speaking policy circles, Marginson's research underscores the broader individual and collective benefits of higher education recognised in diverse jurisdictions like France, Finland, South Korea, and China. Marginson's insights promise to be a thought-provoking conclusion to our conference, illuminating pathways for enhancing knowledge diplomacy in an interconnected world.
will host the evening event on 3 July at their library in South Kensington. Focusing on the value of language learning and educational diplomacy, the event will give insights into the real-world application of bridging the gap between research and practice. It will showcase how research findings are more likely to be adopted and implemented if they are grounded in real-world relevance, while practical approaches are more likely to be effective and sustainable if they are informed by rigorous research evidence on the very concrete example of language teaching.
Partners
Programme
DAY 1
- 09:00 Registration
- 09:15 Welcome by Jo Fox, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Public Engagement 嗨碰视频
- 09:30 Keynote 鈥淯niversities, diplomacy and power in tense times鈥 given by , Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation University College 嗨碰视频
- 10:00 Conversation on Growing geopolitical risk and instability 鈥 the role of universities, Kingsley Abbott (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study) and Sir Anthony Finkelstein (President of City, 嗨碰视频)
- 11:00 Break
- 11:15 Panel 2: Soft Power and Cultural Relations Chair: J Simon Rofe (Leeds University). Panellists: Maddalaine Ansell (British Council)| Sakine Weikert (DAAD)| Min Ha Pham (French Embassy)
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:30 Panel 3: Emerging Technologies. Chair: Barry Smith (Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced Study). Panellists: Katharina H枚ne (DiploFoundation / DLR Projekttr盲ger (German Aerospace Center))| Alexander Evans (LSE) | Timo Hannay (Non-executive director of Sage Publications)
- 14:30 SPOTLIGHT: The Royal Society on Lessons in Science Diplomacy. Chair: Ian Wiggins (Royal Society). Panellists: James Hammond (Birkbeck University) | Sir Richard Catlow (UCL) | Fiona Clouder (FRUSI, The Ambassador Partnership, former FCDO)
- 15:15 SPOTLIGHT: Higher Education, Global Diplomacy and Human Rights. Chair: Lilija Alijeva (The City Law School, City, 嗨碰视频). Panellists: Tawhida Ahmed (The City Law School, City, 嗨碰视频) | Fabio Petito (University of Sussex) | TBC
- 15:45 Panel 4: Universities and Global Diplomacy. Chair: Tim Gore (嗨碰视频 Institute in Paris). Panellists: Laura Rumbley (European Association for International Education) | Sara Gill (British Council France) | Mary Stiasny (嗨碰视频)
- 18:00 Goethe-Institut 嗨碰视频: Language - Defining Today; Transforming Tomorrow. Introduction: Andrea Pfeil (Goethe-Institut) | Stuart MacDonald (ICR Research). Panellists: Effrosyni Argyri | Judith Rifeser | Bernardette Holmes | Vally Lytra
- Event followed by a reception at the Goethe-Institut in South Kensington
DAY 2
- 09:00 Introduction to day 2 / Housekeeping
- 09:15 Panel 5: The climate and environmental crisis: the role of universities. Chair: Kingsley Abbott (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study). Panellists: Maud Sarlieve (University of Strathclyde) | Farah Faizal | Isabel Hilton (Journalist)| High Commissioner of Zambia to the UK Macenje Florence Mazoka
- 10:30 Break
10:45 Panel 6: The Metropolitan Age: How can Universities and Cities Work Together in a Fast-Urbanising World? Chair: Ben Rogers (嗨碰视频). Panellists: Wendy Thomson (Vice-Chancellor, 嗨碰视频) | Greg Clark | Phil Allmendinger (嗨碰视频) - 11:45: SPOTLIGHT: Universities and Knowledge Diplomacy in Action. Chair: Alex Favier (Midlands Innovation). Panellists: Geraint Rees (UCL Vice-Provost Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) | Amanda Wolthuizen (Chief of Staff to the President and Director of Public Affairs and Policy) | Susie Kitchens (Former Director of the UK Science Innovation Network DSIT/ FCDO)
- 12:15: Plenary by Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford
- 13:00: ECHIC, Humanities and Knowledge Diplomacy. Chair: Charles Burdett (Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Advanced Study), Frederik Van Dam (Radboud University, Nijmegen) and Anna K. Dulska (University of Navarra). Panellists: Helen Small (University of Oxford) | Arthur Rose(University of Exeter)| Daniel Carey (University of Galway)
- 13:45: Closing remarks by Jo Fox on The Future of the Knowledge Diplomacy Project
- 14:00: Lunch and depart