As we are confronted with complex global challenges, the need for scientific input in decision-making is urgent. The International Science Council (ISC) plays a crucial role in ensuring that science is central to addressing the world’s most pressing issues, particularly those on the United Nations (UN) agenda. To support our growing influence within the multilateral system, the ISC has established a Global Roster of Experts – a diverse and highly qualified group of individuals from around the world who stand ready to contribute their expertise.
Why was the roster created?
The ISC is frequently called upon to provide timely and multidisciplinary scientific advice to the UN and its Member States on issues ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pandemics and inequality. To fulfil these requests and respond rapidly to global needs, we need a trusted network of experts across various disciplines and regions. The Global Roster of Experts was created to meet this demand by allowing the ISC to quickly mobilize specialized knowledge on an ad-hoc basis, ensuring that decision-makers receive science-based, relevant, and actionable insights.
How the roster serves the ISC’s mission
The ISC’s Global Roster of Experts will serve multiple functions, all contributing to the ISC’s mission to promote science as a global public good. Experts on the roster may be called upon to:
- Provide ad-hoc science advice to the UN Secretariat and Member States
- Prepare high-level policy briefs that inform critical multilateral discussions
- Draft statements on behalf of the global scientific community to amplify science’s voice in international dialogues
- Intervene as speakers for high-level debates, conferences, and panels where scientific expertise can inform policy decisions
This expert network is designed to bridge the gap between science and policy, ensuring that global decision-makers have access to credible, timely, and context-specific scientific advice that can drive progress on the most urgent global challenges.
A truly global and diverse network
One of the most important aspects of the Global Roster of Experts is its diversity and representativity. We are proud to report that the roster reflects a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, geographies, gender, and age groups, creating a resource that is both global in scope and inclusive in nature. Our first call for applications in early 2024 yielded over 1,000 applications representing a wide range of sectors. While most applicants came from academia, we also saw significant interest from government bodies, policy think tanks, NGOs, and the private sector, including banks and start-ups.
How do I get involved?
We welcome individuals from all disciplines and sectors who are passionate about using science to influence global policy. If you are interested in joining the ISC Global Roster of Experts in the future, keep an eye out for our next call for applications. These calls are announced periodically based on new needs and opportunities.
To stay informed and ensure you don’t miss these opportunities, we strongly encourage you to sign up for our newsletter. Through our newsletters, you will receive updates on future calls, ISC activities, events, and other ways you can engage with our work to promote science in the multilateral space.
