2024 Geneva Summer School: Science & Policy for environmental action

This year’s summer school marked the second edition of our week-long capacity building programme on science-policy interfaces for environmental action. This learning activity aims to train the next generation of leaders to address environmental challenges  based on a solid understanding of science-policy dynamics and increased capacity to act as agents of change at the interface. With a focus on global environmental issues, our goal is to provide a framework that addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of science-policy engagement in the specific context of planetary challenges, ranging from local to global levels. 

In June 2024, we welcomed 21 brilliant minds from all over the world and from diverse sectors including academia, policymaking, NGOs, the private sector and the media. Ranging from PhD candidates and early career researchers to young professionals from International Organisations and knowledge brokering institutions, our participants were driven by a strong desire to gain deeper insights into multilateral policy processes and the role of scientific research within them. They aimed to identify professional pathways at the interface and acquire strategic tools to navigate complex political environments.

The week focused on practical experiences, drawing on insights from professionals across the science-policy spectrum. 

Early in the week, participants heard from policy experts in national and regional agencies, who shared their strategies for incorporating scientific expertise into their delegations during international environmental negotiations. One lesson shared was that issues receiving less political attention present more opportunities for science to influence agenda-setting and implementation.

Participants then explored Geneva’s rich international environmental ecosystem, which includes the Secretariats of climate-focused UN organizations (e.g. WMO), key conventions (e.g., Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm Conventions, CITES), regional UN offices (e.g. UNEP), prominent non-UN international organizations (e.g., IUCN), and numerous NGOs, think tanks, and private sector actors. Representatives from these entities emphasized the synergies between environmental issues and other themes addressed in Geneva, such as human rights, economic, and social issues.

In World Café sessions, staff from UN system organizations provided insights into how their Secretariats use science for monitoring and advisory purposes, while also highlighting the political constraints and complexities that can impede research uptake.

Advanced researchers came to share their experiences with various science-policy mechanisms, ranging from establishing new interfaces (e.g., on Chemical Pollution and Waste) to direct collaborations with UN agencies, e.g. to implement global targets on biodiversity in Central Africa. What emerged is that from a researcher's perspective, policy engagement can be impactful but comes with a steep learning curve and potential challenges, such as late-stage political resistance regarding scientific findings. Continuous interaction and clarity on one’s role (e.g., as an academic) were identified as crucial for building long-term impact at the science-policy interface.

Experts from boundary organizations like IUCN and Biovision offered practical advice on working as trusted intermediaries when engaging with policymakers in local and international environments. They stressed the importance of building credibility in niche issues, collaborating with local civil society movements, and using diverse formats to disseminate evidence strategically (e.g., policy briefs, in-person meetings).

The week included hands-on sessions on strategic tools and approaches valuable for participants' careers, including on transdisciplinarity, facilitating multistakeholder dialogues, effective communication, strategic planning and leadership.

One of the key goals of the summer school was to help participants reflect on their short- and long-term goals, whether for specific projects or future professional pathways. Small group exchanges allowed participants to share their policy engagement goals and receive feedback from peers and mentors. We were delighted this year to have a few participants that were involved in important negotiations of an upcoming UN Treaty on Plastic pollution. They were able to discuss their engagement strategies within this process and some of the challenges they have encountered. 

While individual journeys at the science-policy interface are deeply personal and context-dependent, a common purpose emerged, with participants expressing a desire to further develop their careers across the spectrum of science and policy to have a positive impact on our planet. A crucial piece of advice was that it is never too early to start engaging at the interface and developing related skills; getting early experience, including by taking part in policy processes, is essential for assessing personal interest and building value and competencies in this critical area.

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Learn more about the Geneva Summer School programme here.

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