Call for applications of experts to contribute science advice in Latin America and the Caribbean | deadline: 20 January

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 on 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

Senior Science Officer

ISC Regional Focal Point: Latin America and the Caribbean

Carolina Santacruz-Perez