Call for applications of experts to contribute to a pilot project on science advice in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean of International Science Council (ISC RFP-LAC) is seeking applications of experts to contribute to a pilot project in science advice in the LAC region. The ISC RFP-LAC is engaging with ParlAmericas, the institution that promotes parliamentary diplomacy and cooperative political dialogue, facilitates the exchange of good legislative practices, and produces tailored resources to support parliamentarians in their work in the inter-American system. Composed of the 35 national legislatures in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, ParlAmericas provides parliamentarians with knowledge resources informed by evidence-based research on climate change and field-based, context-driven learning, while also promoting gender-responsive and open decision-making.

This pilot collaboration aims to provide parliamentarians from ParlAmericas with unbiased, evidence-based guidance on emerging scientific and technological developments, with a focus on specific areas of regional concern. Experts from the ISC community will contribute through virtual sessions to the presentation and discussion of scientific evidence that serves to expand the understanding of the topics that are of interest to the parliamentarians, and at the same time allows the development of scientific advisory skills in the scientific community of the LAC region.

Areas of focus

1. Current status and future projections around climate change and eco systems in Argentina (for example: preservation of glaciers and the periglacial environment; native forests; solid waste and water management)

2. The role that artificial intelligence can play in circular economy.

3. Water management under climate change (including, for example: water harvesting and utilization of rainwater; use of the waste of producers, cold chain, perimeter or public markets and supermarkets in all their phases and possible different areas; policy-making regarding the reuse of waste)

4. How to integrate scientific evidence with traditional knowledge to strengthen the environmental and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Expected contributions from selected experts

Selected experts will engage in the following activities:

• Participation in expert science policy exchanges: Structured discussions will be held to clarify each topic for the parliamentarian, allowing them to advance the legislative context or the status of that topic in parliament. Roundtable sessions are expected to gather diverse expertise to produce actionable guidance for policy-makers.
• Providing evidence and resources: Experts will collaborate by synthesizing research insights and assisting policymakers in making informed decisions. Experts are expected to provide scientific documents and resources that allow for further consultation by parliamentarians.
• Ongoing advisory engagements: Experts may be invited to provide additional guidance as these fields evolve and new challenges or policy questions emerge, including integration with other types of knowledge and a transdisciplinary view of the issues.

Timeline and expected time commitment

The initial phase of this pilot will last three months (February – April 2025). Identified parliamentarians and/or parliamentary staff will have the chance to meet with scientific experts several times within these three months, as needed. The meetings will last up to one hour and the frequency of meetings will be determined by the parliamentarian and the expert depending on the topic and its complexity. Peers may propose sources and documents to be analyzed.

An evaluation of the support provided by the experts will be undertaken after the three months period. The evaluation will serve to implement improvements in subsequent stages. The goal is to evaluate which aspects of the public policy formulation process can be positively influenced by direct scientific advice, in an inclusive and gender-responsive manner.

The experts will contribute to this pilot on a voluntary and unremunerated basis.

The results of the implementation are not intended to be evaluated in this pilot. However, the identification of good practices will be used to produce a brief report on lessons learned from the case studies.

Expert profiles and qualifications

The ISC seeks experts who can provide authoritative, evidence-based insights in one or more of the designated fields. We welcome nominees with the following qualifications:

• Substantial knowledge and experience in the relevant areas of focus listed above.
• Proven experience in engaging in policy-oriented research or providing scientific advice to policy-makers, ideally in an international or interdisciplinary setting.
• Knowledge of the ethical, environmental, and societal dimensions relevant to their field of expertise

The ISC encourages applications of experts representing diverse age groups, genders, geographic regions, and disciplinary backgrounds.

Eligibility and application process

We strongly encourage ISC Member organizations to encourage their members, fellows and wider network to apply. Applications from individuals with relevant experience who may not have direct connections to an ISC Member organization are also welcome.

Please complete the below application form by 20 January if you wish to be considered for this pilot.

Contact

Carolina Santacruz-Perez

Carolina Santacruz-Perez

Science Officer, Latin American and Caribbean

ISC Regional Focal Point: Latin America and the Caribbean

Carolina Santacruz-Perez

Online application form

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First name *

Last name *

Affiliation to the ISC (if any)

Email address *

Phone number

Institutional affiliation *

In which area(s) related to this call would you be able to provide expertise? *

• 1. Current status and future projections around climate change and eco systems in Argentina (for example: preservation of glaciers and the periglacial environment; native forests; solid waste and water management)
• 2. The role that artificial intelligence can play in circular economy.
• 3. Water management under climate change (including, for example: water harvesting and utilization of rainwater; use of the waste of producers, cold chain, perimeter or public markets and supermarkets in all their phases and possible different areas; policy-making regarding the reuse of waste)
• 4. How to integrate scientific evidence with traditional knowledge to strengthen the environmental and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Please elaborate on your expertise related to the area you have ticked above. *

Please specify your previous experience in delivering science advice (if applicable).

Other topics of expertise (please provide keywords)

How does your expertise contribute to addressing social aspects of the issue, ensuring inclusivity and that no one is left behind? *

Why would you like to be part of this science advice pilot in the LAC region? *

Confidentiality Agreement *

• I agree that everything discussed in these meetings is confidential unless stated otherwise.

Consent for Use of Photographs

• I consent to the use of photographs of me by ParlAmericas and ISC for any lawful purpose, including publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.

Agreement between the expert, the ISC and ParlAmericas *

• I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms outlined below.

Purpose and Vision
This pilot project aspires to promote good practices in science advice across Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering greater collaboration between scientific experts and decision makers. In doing so, the pilot seeks to demonstrate that human contact and open dialogue are fundamental to bridging the gap between science and policy for the public good. The experts are committed to upholding the principles of impartiality, rigor, and transparency in their interactions, while fully respecting the local, national, and regional contexts in which these sessions will take place.

Scope of the Agreement
The undersigned participants of this pilot project, including the ISC experts and parliamentarians identified by ParlAmericas, hereby commit to participating in a series of sessions.
● It is understood that these sessions are intended solely for the purpose of improving the parliamentarians’ understanding of scientific evidence as it relates to specific issues within their legislative purview.
● The primary goal is to promote dialogue and collaboration between the scientific community and parliaments , contributing to well-informed, effective, and evidence-based policy solutions. However, the role of ISC experts will be strictly limited to providing factual clarification and scientific insight based on natural and social sciences.
● These interactions are intended to amplify understanding of the complexities of scientific evidence and how it can be applied within the broad, multidisciplinary contexts that policy-making demands.
● The experts’ participation will be carried out with a view to fostering good practices in science advice while respecting the unique national contexts of each parliament. .

Non-Liability Clause
The undersigned ISC experts hereby clarify that they shall bear no legal or ethical responsibility for any subsequent actions, decisions, or policies arising from these sessions, and the parliamentary representatives acknowledge and understand this condition.
● The advisory role undertaken in this pilot project is purely informative, aimed at offering insights into scientific evidence without directing or influencing policy decisions.
● The responsibility for any actions or policies derived from the discussions rests solely with the parliamentarians and their respective legislative bodies.
● It is further understood that this engagement does not imply endorsement of any specific policy outcomes, nor does it create any binding obligations beyond the scope of providing scientific expertise and clarification.
● Everything discussed is confidential unless otherwise agreed. .

Commitment to Transdisciplinary and Systemic Perspectives
Recognizing that the challenges of modern governance often require a transdisciplinary and systemic approach, the experts will contribute to these sessions with the broader aim of facilitating a holistic understanding of scientific evidence.
● This will be done either through individual contributions or as part of a coordinated effort with other ISC-affiliated experts, ensuring that the information provided reflects the complexity of both natural and social sciences.

Conclusion
This document affirms the shared commitment of the ISC experts and Parliamentarians identified by ParlAmericas to creating a constructive, non-binding platform for dialogue on pressing scientific issues, with a clear understanding of the voluntary and informative nature of the experts’ role. We trust that through this collaboration, good practices in science-policy engagement can be advanced in the region, with the goal of contributing to more effective and evidence-based governance.

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