The International Science Council appoints 100 new Fellows to help advance its vision of science as a global public good

The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the International Science Council (ISC).  Together with the 123 individuals that were appointed in 2022, the new ISC Fellows will support the Council in its mission at a critical moment for science and sustainability for science as we enter the UN’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) in 2024.

The new Fellows include eminent social and natural scientists, engineers and thought leaders who have made impactful contributions to science and society.  They hail from different countries and regions, disciplines, sectors and career stages; having been nominated by ISC Members and existing Fellows, and by partners such as the InterAcademy Partnership. Additionally, two Honorary Fellows have been appointed – Ambassadors Macharia Kamau and Csaba Kőrösi – joining Mary Robinson, Ismail Serageldin and Vint Cerf in special recognition of their outstanding support to the ISC. Both ordinary and honorary Fellows provide a critical, diverse mass of special individuals who can supplement the insight, expertise and perspectives of ISC Member organizations.

As Professor Terrence Forrester, Chair of the Fellowship Council, explained,

“The ISC Fellowship recognizes individuals who are ambassadors and advocates working tirelessly for science internationally and for the vital importance of evidence-informed policymaking. ISC Fellows hail from wide-ranging geographies, sectors, disciplines and career stages, and we look forward to working with them all in multiple capacities in the coming months and years.”

In accepting the Honorary Fellowship, Ambassador Kőrösi, a Hungarian diplomat and Former President of the of the UN General Assembly (77^th session), said:

“It is my utmost pleasure to join the company of those who continue to promote science for the global public good.  I look forward to hearing concrete ways of supporting ISC in its mission and ensuring that science is at the heart of shaping multilateral cooperation.”

Similarly, Ambassador Kamau, former UN Representative for Kenya and former Co-Chair of the UN Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) said:

“I am pleased to accept this Honorary Fellowship, and will be happy to continue to serve the cause of science and the aims  of the ISC in the global effort to promote sustainable development, human progress and dignity.”

Alongside seasoned diplomats are early and mid-career researchers from around the world. Professor Ghada Bassioni, an Egyptian chemist and Global Young Academy (GYA) alumnus, observed that

“Science plays a vital role in enhancing our understanding of the world and providing solutions that can have a positive impact on millions of people worldwide. Even the smallest individual contribution can make a significant impact to our society. I look forward to amplifying our voices through the fellowship.”

Dr Hiba Baroud, a systems engineer from Lebanon and GYA member, is equally enthusiastic:

“I’m deeply honoured and excited to be selected as a fellow of ISC. Through interdisciplinary and international collaboration, I aim to bridge the gap between science, policy, and technology to promote climate solutions and address the urgent challenges our world faces”.

With the SDGs seriously off-track mid-way through Agenda 2030 and the world facing multiple existential threats, the collective efforts of the ISC Fellows and Members to see science used for the global good have never been more important.

2023 ISC Fellows

See the list of new ISC Fellows

The ISC Fellowship recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of science as a global public good. The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the International Science Council.

Find out more about the Fellowship here.

Contact: secretariat@council.science

Photo by ISC: Newly appointed Fellow, Suad Sulaiman, Sudanese National Academy of Sciences at the Global Knowledge Dialogue in Africa.