Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue – Programme

Please pick up your name badge at the registration desk located in front of the Exhibition Hall 1 at the OCEC.

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom A

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This knowledge-sharing event aims to discuss region-specific trends, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration around freedom and responsibility in science in the Middle East and North African region and between the global ISC membership. Through roundtable and interactive discussions, the workshop will discuss related initiatives, identify members’ priority concerns and explore how the ISC, it’s member and related networks can support and promote the free, ethical and equitable conduct of science throughout the region and globally.

Chair: Quarraisha Abdool Karim, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Speakers

• Saja Al Zoubi, Global Young Academy; Saint Mary’s, University of Oxford
• Emily Borzcik, International Institute of Education – Scholar Rescue Fund
• Rana Dajani, Hashemite University Jordan
• Amina Hamshari, UNESCO Doha
• Ilyas Saliba, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) Berlin (remote,🔴 view recorded statement)
• Seteney Shami, Arab Council for the Social Sciences
• Vivi Stavrou, International Science Council (📃 view slides)
• Konstantinos Tararas, UNESCO Paris

Background reading

• ISC discussion paper A contemporary perspective on the free and responsible practice of science in the 21st century
• ISC working paper Protecting Science in Times of Crisis

Other related ISC resources

• ISC Principles of Freedom and Responsibility in Science
• The right to participate in and benefit from science
• ISC Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science

Members’ and partners’ resources

• UNESCO’s 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers
• UNESCO Programme and Call to Action on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists
• Statement on academic freedom – International Geographical Union (IGU)
• IUSS Strategic Plan 2021-2030 – International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 8+9

This workshop will explore how ISC can help strengthen the role social sciences play in the current policy landscape at national and multilateral levels and how members can collaborate, exchange ideas and lessons in this area.

The discussion will address the following questions with a focus on potential next steps:

• How can barriers to the contribution of social sciences to sustainability policy and practice be addressed?
• How can ISC bring more value to our social science members? How to strengthen the involvement and visibility of our social science members and experts in ISC’s work, including in providing expertise for sustainability policy advice?
• How can our social science members collaborate with each other and with the ISC (collaborative research projects, capacity building workshops and knowledge exchange events, collaborative publications for example)? What are the potential concrete ideas for next steps in this regard?

Chair: Sawako Shirahase, Research Unit of Inclusive Global Future Society, the University of Tokyo

 Speakers

• Craig Calhoun, Arizona State University (remote)
• Moushira Elgeziri, Arab Council for the Social Sciences
• Pablo Vommaro, Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO)
• Wiparat De-ong and Patchara Sinloyma, National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
• Francis Akena, Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA)
• Dhananjay Singh, Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom B

With a focus on case studies and practitioners’ insights, this session will provide a forum for ISC Members to share their experience of working at the science-policy interface and strategize on opportunities to strengthen scientific advice to policy-makers from the national to the global levels.

Chairs: Mobolaji Oladoyin Odubanjo (Nigerian Academy of Science) and Margaret Spring (Monterey Bay Aquarium) (📃 view slides)

Speakers (📃view intro slides)

• Salim Abdool Karim, CAPRISA & ISC Governing Board (📃 view slides)
• Christian Acemah, International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Africa
• Markus J. Prutsch, European Parliament & Global Young Academy (📃 view slides)
• Rémi Quirion, International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) (📃 view slides)
• Brigitte Khoury, International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) (📃 view slides)
• Anne-Sophie Stevance and James Waddell, International Science Council (📃 view slides)

Background reading

• ISC strategy in the intergovernmental system

Members’ resources

• Global assessment report “International Forest Governance: A critical review of trends, drawbacks, and new approaches” – International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)
• Policy brief “International Forest Governance: A critical review of trends, drawbacks, and new approaches” – International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 10+11

Open science is facing a major test with the emergence of generative AI, placing greater stress on the principles of transparency and reproducibility. What are the current and emerging policy and technical responses? With greater emphasis needed on data quality, what are the skills required of scientists and data specialists? In this session ISC Members will be invited to discuss the challenges, policy responses and explore how they can collaborate on practical responses, including skills development with Early-Career Researchers.

Chair: Simon Hodson, ISC Committee on Data (CODATA) (📃 view slides)

Speakers

• Mercè Crosas, Head of Computational Social Sciences, Barcelona Supercomputing Center and CODATA President – “Major developments and challenges for data and science in a rapidly changing world“
• Steve McEachern, Director, UK Data Service and CODATA Officer; Simon Hodson, Executive Director, CODATA – “The contours of a policy response“
• Richard Hartshorn, Professor, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand and CODATA Vice-President – “The challenges in research disciplines: example from Chemistry“
• Steve McEachern, Director, UK Data Service and CODATA Officer – “The challenges in research disciplines: example from Social Sciences“
• Shaily Gandhi, Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher, Geosocial Artificial Intelligence Research Group, Interdisciplinary Transformational University, Linz, Austria and ISC Fellow – “What skills do researchers need?“

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 12

Coordinator: Dureen Samandar Eweis

Invitation only

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 13+14

Contact: Fahad Al Zadjali

Invitation only

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 8+9

Invitation only

Chair: Giuliano Manara, Vice-President, International Union of Radio Science (URSI)

Members’ resources

• 2024 IUSS World Soil of the Year – International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
• 23rd World Congress of Soil Science – International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

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Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Room 10+11

Invitation only

(📃 view slides)

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Please pick up your name badge at the registration desk located in front of the Exhibition Hall 1 at the OCEC.

🔴Recording (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/live/mQaa8NElqNU?si=eYfdDQF25-HrTEul

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Exhibition Hall 1

This session will try to unpack the complex relationship between emerging technologies and science systems, where new opportunities co-exist with critical ethical concerns. It will include a panel discussion and open discussion with the audience, as well the announcement of the ISC Digital Journal pioneers.

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Chair: Françoise Baylis, President-elect, Royal Society Canada, & ISC Governing Board

Speakers

• Ali Al Shaithani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, Oman
• Daniel Andler, Paris-Sorbonne University, Académie des sciences morales et politiques
• Marileen Dogterom, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
• Shohini Ghose, Chief Technology Officer, Quantum Algorithms Institute (remote)
• Anicia Peters, National Commission of Research, Science and Technology, Namibia

Members’ resources

• Sixth Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity within COP16 of CBD – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• A Research Agenda Toward Atmospheric Methane Removal (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and Research and Development: A Final Report (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Progress and Priorities in Ocean Drilling: In Search of Earth’s Past and Future (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Foundational Research Gaps and Future Directions for Digital Twins (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Research on the Dynamics of Climate and the Macroeconomy: Proceedings of a Workshop (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Advancing Geothermal Energy (Nov 2024 recording) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Exploring Linkages Between Soil Health and Human Health (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA

Please feel invited to visit the exhibition spaces located inside the Exhibition Hall.

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom A

With guided use of AI, there are wide opportunities to advance science. What are these opportunities and how are we preparing for them? The use of AI also raises concerns on impact on science and science processes. What are the most evident positive and negative impacts of AI for science? And how do we tackle these issues? This session will explore how AI is transforming science, its vast potential, and the challenges it poses to scientific integrity.

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Chair: Ke Gong, Chinese Institute of the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies; ISC Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science

Speakers

• Sultan Al Yahyai, Code Academy Oman, Nama Electricity Supply Company
• Christina Yan Zhang, The Metaverse Institute & Advisory Council, ISC Centre for Science Futures
• Mariette Awad, AI, Science and Computing Hub at American University Beirut
• Sirirurg Songsivilai, National Research Council of Thailand

Background reading

• Preparing National Research Ecosystems for AI: Strategies and progress in 2024 – International Science Council

Members’ resources

• Statement on the Influence of Generative Models of Text and Image Creation on Science and the Humanities and on the DFG’s Funding Activities – German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change (new activity) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Implications of Artificial Intelligence-Related Data Center Electricity Use and Emissions: A Workshop (Nov 2024 recording) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• AI for Scientific Discovery: Proceedings of a Workshop (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Science in the age of AI – The Royal Society, UK
• IUBS centenary Webinar series, Prof Luisa Orsini: “The time machine chronicles – unveiling how the past shapes the future“ – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• IUBS centenary Webinar series, Dr. Sara Beere, “Challenges and Opportunities at the Intersection of AI and Biodiversity” – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• Session on Biodiversity Change and Technology, AI, and Data: Challenges and Opportunities within COP16 of CBD – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)

🔴 Recording (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/live/d-NSmmj2V04?si=LS0lgIi0oDSS3AsM

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Exhibition Hall 1

The UN Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024 – 2033) provides an opportunity to sharpen our focus on how actionable science can contribute to the sustainability agenda. It also provides a bridge between the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals and any subsequent expression of the development agenda. This session will explore how the breadth of the ISC Membership will contribute to the Decade, and how it has the potential to shape our thinking and goals around the role of science in future sustainability agendas. The ISC Geo-Unions will highlight their potential contributions, followed by an open discussion.

Chair: Mike Meadows, International Geographical Union (IGU)

Speakers

• Lidia Brito, UNESCO (📃 view slides)
• Silvina Ponce Dawson, International Union for Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) (📃 view slides)
• Daniel Muth, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (📃 view slides)
• Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University (📃 view slides)
• Nathalie Lemarchand, Université Paris 8, International Geographical Union (IGU) (📃 view slides)

Members’ resources

• Book “Mapping for a sustainable world” – International Cartographic Association (ICA) and United Nations
• JENA declaration (Humanities and Social Sciences for Sustainability – Cultural and regional dimensions of global sustainability) – International Geographical Union (IGU)
• The Role of Science in Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals- Conference Book of Abstracts, First NAS Scientific Conference – Nigerian Academy of Science
• Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Climate Conversations: Reimagining Household Products (Dec 2024 webinar) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Policy Forum on Nature-based Solutions (Feb 2024 recording); National Practice Forum on Nature-Based Solutions (Feb 2025 event) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Review of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action White Paper on Building a Scientific Roadmap to a Carbon-Negative Agricultural System (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation (2024 consensus study) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Impacts on Vulnerable Communities: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• The Future of Transboundary Water Management (July 2024 recording) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Public Infrastructure for Effective Climate Mitigation and Adaptation: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief (2024) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Strategies for Resilient Lifeline Infrastructure – A Critical Part of Community Recovery from Extreme Natural Hazards (Oct 2024 recording) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• IUBS is a member of The Earth-Humanity Coalition (EHC) – Sciences for Equitable Wellbeing on a Healthy Planet to implement an ambitious and transformative programme of activities for the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development 2024-2033 (IDSSD) – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)

🔴 Recording (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/live/v8Lx1PK9gGM?si=1ngMc4FlaS4Ii1uz

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom B

Although women represent a third of researchers globally, they make up only 12% of science academy members worldwide. This session will explore strategies to address this disparity, introducing the ISC-IAP-SCGES 2025 initiative aimed at improving women’s representation and participation in scientific organizations and showcasing successful partner-driven efforts in academies, unions and councils. Half of the session will be dedicated to an open discussion, inviting participants to share insights, discuss challenges, and provide feedback to help shape the initiative and foster a more inclusive and equitable future in science.

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Chair: Catherine Jami, National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)/International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST)/Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science (SCGES)

Speakers

• Beatriz Caputto, Science Academy of Argentina & Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS)
• Javier García-Martínez, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), Universidad de Alicante
• Palesa Sekhejane, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Tonya Blowers, Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)

Members’ resources

• Women in Science and Nigeria’s Development (Summit Report) – Nigerian Academy of Science
• DFG Research-Oriented Equity and Diversity Standards – German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Climate Conversations: Women in Climate Science (Mar 2024 webinar) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Webinar in junction with International Congress of Zoology: “Gender Gap and the Biological Sciences” – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• SCGES webinar organized by IUBS on “Quotas for women in Science: are they an effective step towards equality/equity?” – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• IUBS Committee for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Artrium

Please feel invited to visit the exhibition spaces located inside the Exhibition Hall.

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Exhibition Hall 1

How we educate and train scientists and researchers is key to our ability to address current and future existential challenges. This session will consider what the ISC and other stakeholders in the science system – science funders, policy makers, research institutions and scientists themselves – can and should do to promote a shift in the institutional environment and in higher-level education and training, to equip current and future scientists globally with the necessary skills and capacities to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. The aim of the session is to converge to a set of possible priorities for ISC action in the domain of science education.

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Co-Chairs: Motoko Kotani, Tohoku University & ISC Governing Board; Mei-Hung Chiu, NTN University & ISC Governing Board

Moderator: Heide Hackmann, Stellenbosch University

Speakers

• Francis Akena Adyanga, Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA)
• H.E. Abdullah Ambusaidi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Education for Education
• Anne-Teresa Birthwright, Belmont Forum
• Nathalie Fomproix, International Union for Biological Sciences (IUBS)

Background reading

• Report of the ISC Consultative Group on Science Education

Members’ resources

• Climate education: promote climate change awareness through education tools, provide teaching resources – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• IUBS triennial program: Grand challenge: Education on Chemical Ecology in the Anthropocene – International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
• Why I Became a Scientist (Vol 1) – Nigerian Academy of Science
• International Charter on Geographical Education – International Geographical Union (IGU)
• Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate (new consensus study) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Higher Education’s Path to Sustainability and Resilience: A Workshop (Feb 2025) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Soil is a Source of Life, Water, and Food – Multilingual book – International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom A

Exploring how the International Polar Year (IPY) 2032-33 will reshape global scientific collaboration in the face of rapid climate and societal changes. This session will offer key insights into how polar science is addressing real-world challenges through interdisciplinary, cross-regional research. Participants will gain an understanding of how the IPY model can enhance the co-production of knowledge, drive actionable solutions, and set a blueprint for future international scientific cooperation to tackle global issues beyond the polar regions.

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Co-Chairs: Mike Sparrow, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP); Johanna Grabow, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) (📃 view slides)

 Speakers

• H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Arctic Circle
• Anna Mauranen, University of Helsinki
• Ramcharan Vijayaraghavan, Polar Educators International
• Paul Arthur Berkman, Founder, Science Diplomacy Centre, Inc.
• Mark Wuddivira, Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS)
• Anne Husebekk, Arctic University of Norway, ISC Governing Board

Related links

• International Polar Year Website – 2032-2033
• International Polar Year Concept Note
• International Polar Year on ISC website

Members’ and Fellow’s resources

• Berkman, P.A. 2025. Science Diplomacy and the 5^th International Polar Year  (IPY-5): Planetary Considerations Across Centuries. Cambridge Prisms
• Future Directions for Southern Ocean and Antarctic Nearshore and Coastal Research (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Exploring Key Research and Monitoring Topics for U.S. Engagement in the Fifth International Polar Year (workshop) – National Academy of Sciences, USA

🔴 Recording (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/live/g-P-ZYc2LfM?si=f9jS_E3UTt5mzhye

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Junior Ballroom B

This session will reflect on the need to focus on inequality as a central challenge of our times, look at the current state of inequality research including gaps that need attention for science to play an effective role in addressing this global concern.

Chair: Don Kalb, GRIP, Law and Social Transformation program, University of Bergen

Speakers

• Karina Batthyany, CLACSO & ISC Governing Board
• Craig Calhoun, Arizona State University (remote)
• Maretta Kula-Semos, Pacific Academy
• Kathryn Robinson, Australian National University

Members’ resources

• Work on Global Health Inequalities – The Academy of Medical Sciences (United Kingdom)
• Workshop report on “Global Health inequalities: research for a fairer future” – The Academy of Medical Sciences (United Kingdom) and IAP
• Statement “Global Health Inequalities: Research for a fairer future” – The Academy of Medical Sciences (United Kingdom) and IAP
• Inequality and Climate Change (July 2024 session recording) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Constructing Valid Geospatial Tools for Environmental Justice (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Community-Driven Relocation: Recommendations for the U.S. Gulf Coast Region and Beyond (2024 consensus report) – National Academy of Sciences, USA
• Climate Conversations: The Future of Sports (Aug 2024 webinar) – National Academy of Sciences, USA

Please feel invited to visit the exhibition spaces located inside the Exhibition Hall.

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Exhibition Hall 1

The final plenary session will debate science as a universal endeavour can be positive force to bridge across divides and foster trust and collective action on shared global challenges and set the scene for the ISC’s work in the years to come.

Chairs: Anna-Maria Arabia, Executive Director of the Australian Academy of Sciences, and Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director of African Academy of Sciences

Keynote: Hugo Mercier, research director in cognitive science at the CNRS (Institut Jean Nicod, Paris) (📃 view slides)

 Panel

• Abdul Moneam Al Hasani, Former Minister of Information, Oman (📃 view slides)
• Robbert Dijkgraaf, ISC president-elect, former Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands
• Luisa Fernanda Echeverría King, Director of Diplomacy and International Scientific Cooperation, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Colombia
• Sir Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation (online)
• H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Arctic Circle, former President of Iceland
• Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Chair of The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and Chair of the Board of the Villars Institute Foundation

Members’ resources

• Talking Science: Strengthening Science Communication in Nigeria (Meeting Report) – Nigerian Academy of Science
• NAS Webinar Series-Science through the Film Lens: Bridging the Divide – Nigerian Academy of Science

🔴 Recording (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/live/NeKY1WlqVWo?si=kLbPNky9xRQdXavo

Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Exhibition Hall 1

• H.E. Prof. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Oman
• Sir Peter Gluckman, ISC President