Eight distinguished individuals join the ISC Governing Board

At the close of the General Assembly of the International Science Council (ISC) in Muscat, Oman, on 30 January 2025, eight new members officially joined the 16-person ISC Governing Board, with seven members rotating off.

Recent years, months and even weeks have brought profound challenges and disruptions to the world, including the world of science. While science is both increasingly recognized and respected at global level for its crucial role in addressing societal challenges, it is at the same time subject to intense internal and external pressures – from, for example, publishing and funding cultures, emerging technologies, and geopolitical conflict and competitiveness.

Never before has it been so important for science to have a strong voice on the global stage, to ensure both that science is integrated into international public policy development and that policy takes into account the needs of science.

In these times of geopolitical tension and global challenges, it is important that the voice of science rings clear, and that researchers continue to engage in dialogue, with each other and with society at large. – Prof. Dijkgraaf, President-elect

As the elected representatives of nearly 250 scientific organizations from all corners of the world and all scientific disciplines, the ISC Governing Board has unparalleled responsibilities and opportunities to drive international scientific coordination and collaboration and to promote the use of science. This diverse group of experts in science and policy will work closely for the next two years to ensure that the ISC’s activities are relevant, impactful and representative of perspectives from across its global membership.

The new members of the Board join the continuing members in being convinced that the ISC has a critical role to play in advancing the contribution of science to the global public good.

I considered it an honour and a privileged opportunity to try to make a difference in an organization I believe in. As someone who has liaised with the ISC for years, I appreciate that the ISC, as a global voice of science, is unique and can do even more than it is already doing. – Mobolaji Oladoyin Odubanjo

By the end of my term, I hope the ISC will be recognized as the leading international organization that brings together scientific bodies to coordinate responses to the most pressing challenges, including climate change and the responsible use of emerging technologies. – Marcia Barbosa

A common motivation among candidates for the ISC Governing Board is the promotion of international scientific collaboration and the inclusion of diverse perspectives.

Throughout my science career, I have benefited from international collaboration, and with my role in the ISC, I feel I can contribute to the global science community by facilitating more collaboration. I would like to be in close contact with ISC Members and Fellows, to enhance interactions among Members and with the public. – Yongguan Zhu

In 2024, leaders of the world adopted the Pact for the Future, including a Declaration on Future Generations, to place the needs of the youth at the forefront of national and international policies. Inspired by this multilateral effort, I would like to become a young voice in this Governing Board, to take forward the dreams and hopes of many young scientists across the globe that need the support of organizations and platforms, such as the ISC, to open new opportunities for them. – Maria Esteli Jarquin

While welcoming these new members, the ISC also recognizes the contributions of the continuing board members, whose leadership provided a strong foundation for advancing the work of the ISC. The ISC extends its gratitude to the outgoing members for their service.

Incoming Board members

President-elect

Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf is a mathematical physicist and academic leader from the Netherlands. He has held roles in science policy, including serving as the Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands (2022–2024) and Chief Science Advisor to the Dutch government. He has led the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and was a director and Leon Levy professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Dijkgraaf has also contributed to international science collaboration as co-chair of the InterAcademy Council and co-president of the InterAcademy Partnership.

Vice-President for Freedom and Responsibility in Science

Prof. Dr. Marcia Barbosa is a theoretical physicist from the south of Brazil. Throughout her career she has been involved in efforts to promote gender equality in sciences. Her impact includes serving as the first chair of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics  (IUPAP) Working Group on Women in Physics, as the IUPAP vice-president and the chair of the first Gender Champion of the Union. Marcia has received various awards and has a full portfolio of scientific leadership experiences, most recently serving in a governmental role after recognizing a need for action following a natural disaster. 

Vice-President for Membership

Prof. Yongguan ZHU is an environmental scientist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). In 2023, he was an ISC fellow, and from 2022-2025, a member of the Standing Committee for Science Planning at the ISC. Yongguan brings multi-disciplinary expertise in environmental issues to the ISC Governing Board. His career has included leadership roles in scientific institutes like the CAS, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the International Atomic Energy Agency, alongside a rich publication record.

Ordinary members

Dr. Frances Colón an expert in international climate policy, has played an influential role in promoting the integration of science into foreign policy dialogues. With extensive experience in both governmental and non-governmental roles, she has worked with a variety of international organizations, including the United Nations, to advance climate action and science diplomacy.

Ms. Maria Esteli Jarquin is an experienced professional in science diplomacy. She has been a consultant for different international organizations, including UNESCO and other UN agencies. She brings experience leading and implementing international strategies of scientific organizations both in Latin America and the UK; and as a speaker at major science policy events.

Prof. Catherine Jami is trained in mathematics and Chinese studies and has extensively published research on the circulation of scientific knowledge between Europe in China since the 17^th century. She aims to highlight the importance of cross-cultural exchanges of scientific knowledge foster its development. Catherine has served as the Secretary General of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science, the Founding Chair of the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science (SCGES), and on the ISC Working Group on Constitutional change.

Prof. Nalini Joshi is a mathematician originally from Myanmar, who emigrated to Australia as a child. She was educated in Sydney through her Bachelor’s degree before earning a Ph.D. from Princeton University. Nalini is the first female Professor of Mathematics at the University of Sydney where she carries out her love of teaching and research. Through her research, she has developed new methods to describe elusive solutions to mathematical models in physically important limits. She is a member of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) Executive Committee and the ISC’s representative to the IMU.

Dr. Mobolaji Oladoyin Odubanjo has spent over 15 years advocating for the use of scientific evidence in policy-making, particularly in Africa. As the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science and pioneer chairman of International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Africa, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives to strengthen science policy in the region.