Knowledge Diplomacy Conference

The University of London Institute in Paris (or ULIP) is the UK’s leading institute in France and works in partnership with Queen Mary University of London to offer outstanding courses in French Studies, International Relations and Law.ULIP aims to be an academic institution of distinction through excellence in teaching and research and the relevance of its academic activity and engagement as a bridge into Paris and mainland Europe.Research at ULIP is engaged in the forefront of contemporary modern-languages study in areas relating to multilingualism and migration, women’s writing and new forms of cultural expression such as graphic novels, as well as in International Relations.

University of London Institute in Paris

Shaping the Future: Rethinking the Role Universities play in International Relations

Beveridge Hall

<h3>About this event</h3> <h3>Introduction</h3>As part of the University of London Institute in Paris’ Knowledge Diplomacy project, this conference will look at ways universities should support the work of diplomats and other policymakers, including through policy-relevant scholarship and the soft power exercised by cultural institutions. The world is facing an onslaught of complex and pressing challenges, from growing geopolitical instability to the ongoing impact of the global pandemic and the existential threat of climate change. In this context, policymakers face a dizzying array of challenges. The need for sound, evidence-based, actionable policy advice has never been greater. Universities play a significant and active role in international relations, including harnessing their resources to facilitate cross-sector and inter-disciplinary research collaboration. The response to the global pandemic is just one example of the demonstrated need for coordinated collaboration across regions, sectors and disciplines, relying on academic expertise from immunologists to human rights lawyers. However, challenges and questions remain. For example, in an increasingly fast-paced global environment, how should universities develop relationships and work effectively and efficiently with policymakers in order to provide policy recommendations that are timely, relevant and accessible? To what extent should universities prioritise developing policy that is anticipatory and long-term focussed rather than short-term and in lockstep with national election cycles? Where relevant, to what extent does the involvement of “non-traditional” policy-focused disciplines such as history and philosophy provide context and nuance to policy advice that is useful to policymakers? Is policy adjacent support useful to policymakers, such as the provision of education and training in relevant fields? And what should universities do to better support the valuable input of civil society on policy advice, particularly from the global south? <h3>Event Description</h3>The conference will bring together leading policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to identify the challenges and opportunities universities confront when defining their role in international relations. Cross-cutting questions, such as those set out above will be explored in the context of a number of key thematic areas, including addressing geo-political instability, combatting climate change and addressing the impact of emerging technologies. The aim will be to develop a summary report containing the key recommendations arising out of the conference. <h3>Agenda/Programme</h3> Shaping the Future: Rethinking the Role Universities play in International RelationsBeveridge Hall, Senate House, University of London Wednesday, 03 – Thursday, 04 July 2024 <h3><a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wednesday, 3 July</a></h3>Time 09:00 AMRegistration09:15 AMWelcome by Professor Jo Fox, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Public Engagement University of London09:30 AMKeynote “Universities, diplomacy and power in tense times”Sir Geoff Mulgan CBE, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation University College London10:00 AMConversation on Growing geopolitical risk and instability – the role of universitiesProfessor Kingsley Abbott (Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study)Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE FREng (President of City, University of London)11:00 AMBreak11:15 AMPanel 1: Soft Power and Cultural RelationsChair: Dr J Simon Rofe (Associate Professor, University of Leeds)Panellists:Maddalaine Ansell (British Council)Sakine Weikert (DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service)Dr Minh-Hà Pham (French Embassy)12:30 PMLunch01:30 PMPanel 2: Emerging Technologies Chair: Professory Barry Smith (Director of the Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced Study) Panellists:Dr Katharina Höne (DiploFoundation | DLR Projektträger (German Aerospace Center))Professor Alexander Evans OBE (London School of Economics)Dr Timo Hannay (non-executive Director of Sage Publications)02:30 PMSPOTLIGHT: The Royal Society on Lessons in Science DiplomacyChair: Ian Wiggins (Director of International Affairs, Royal Society)Panellists:Professor James Hammond (Professor of Geophysics, Birkbeck University)Sir Richard Catlow FRS FRSC FInstP FLSW (Research Professor, University College London)Fiona Clouder (FRUSI, The Ambassador Partnership, former FCDO)03:15 PMBreak03:30 PMSPOTLIGHT: Higher Education, Global Diplomacy and Human RightsChair: Dr Lilija Alijeva (Presidential Fellow, The City Law School, City, University of London)Panellists: Professor Tawhida Ahmed (Professor of Law, The City Law School, City, University of London)Professor Fabio Petito (Professor of Religion &amp; International Affairs and Professor of International Relations, University of Sussex)04:00 PMPanel 3: Universities and Global DiplomacyChair: Dr Tim Gore OBE (University of London Institute in Paris)PanellistsDr Laura Rumbley (Director, Knowledge Development and Research, European Association for International Education)Sara Gill (Head of Education, British Council France)Professor Mary Stiasny OBE (Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Learning and Teaching, University of London)06:00 PMGoethe-Institut London: Language – Defining Today; Transforming TomorrowIntroduction: Andrea Pfeil (Goethe-Institut) and Stuart MacDonald FRSA (ICR Research)Panellists:Associate Professor Effrosyni Argyri (University College London’s IOE)Associate Professor Judith Rifeser (NCLE, University College London’s IOE)Honorary Professor Bernadette Holmes MBE (NCLE, University College London’s IOE)Dr Vally Lytra (Reader in Languages in Education, Goldsmiths, University of London)Event followed by a reception at the Goethe-Institut in South Kensington <h3><a href="" title="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Thursday, 4 July</a></h3>Time 09:00 AMRegistration09:15 AMPanel 4: The climate and environmental crisis: the role of universitiesChair: Professor Kingsley Abbott (Director of Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study)Panellists:Maud Sarlieve (Associate Research Fellow ICwS / University of Strathclyde) Dr Farah Faizal (former Maldives High Comissioner to the UK)Isabel Hilton OBE (Journalist)Her Excellency Macenje Florence Mazoka (Zambia High Commissioner to the UK)10:30 AMBreak10:45 AMPanel 5: The Metropolitan Age: How can Universities and Cities Work Together in a Fast-Urbanising World?Chair: Ben Rogers (Professor of Practice, University of London)Panellists:Professor Wendy Thomson CBE (Vice-Chancellor, University of London)Greg Clark (Writer, Board Chair, and Senior Advisor)Professor Phil Allmendinger (Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, University of London)11:45 AM SPOTLIGHT: Universities and Knowledge Diplomacy in ActionAlex Favier (Programme Director Midlands Innovation)Professor Geraint Rees FMedSci FRCP (UCL Vice-Provost Research, Innovation &amp; Global Engagement)Amanda Wolthuizen (Chief of Staff to the President and Director of Public Affairs and Policy)Susie Kitchens (Former Director of the UK Science Innovation Network DSIT/ FCDO)12:15 PM Plenary by Professor Simon Marginson FBA FAcSS, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford01:00 PM ECHIC, Humanities and Knowledge DiplomacyChair: Professor Charles Burdett (Director of the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Advanced Study), Dr Frederik Van Dam (Assistant professor, Radboud University, Nijmegen) and Dr Anna K. Dulska (University of Navarra)Panellists:Professor Helen Small FBA (University of Oxford)Dr Arthur Rose(University of Exeter)Professor Daniel Carey (University of Galway)01:45 PMClosing remarks by Professor Jo Fox on The Future of the Knowledge Diplomacy Project02:00 PMLunch and Depart <h3>Key Speakers</h3>Sir Geoffrey John Mulgan CBE, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London, will give the opening keynote address. Mulgan brings a wealth of experience and insight at the intersection of research and practical application. As the Chief Executive of Nesta, a global innovation foundation, and a former director of policy under Prime Minister Tony Blair, he has been a prominent figure in shaping policies and initiatives that bridge the gap between academic research and real-world impact. Mulgan is poised to deliver an engaging and enlightening keynote address that will inspire attendees to explore new avenues for collaboration and innovation in their respective fields. Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Oxford and Director of the ESRC/RE Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE), will deliver the closing keynote address, focusing on the pivotal role of universities in global knowledge diplomacy and the evolving landscape of global science. With a research focus on global and international higher education, Marginson's work explores the multifaceted contributions of higher education institutions and their implications for addressing social inequality. While economic definitions predominate in English-speaking policy circles, Marginson's research underscores the broader individual and collective benefits of higher education recognized in diverse jurisdictions like France, Finland, South Korea, and China. Marginson's insights promise to be a thought-provoking conclusion to our conference, illuminating pathways for enhancing knowledge diplomacy in an interconnected world. The Goethe-Institut London will host the evening event on 3 July at their library in South Kensington. Focusing on the value of language learning and educational diplomacy, the event will give insights into the real-world application of bridging the gap between research and practice. It will showcase how research findings are more likely to be adopted and implemented if they are grounded in real-world relevance, while practical approaches are more likely to be effective and sustainable if they are informed by rigorous research evidence on the very concrete example of language teaching. <h3>Partnerships</h3>The conference is co-organised by the University of London Institute in Paris, the City Law School at City, University of London, the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the School of Advanced Study, the Centre for Online and Distance Education, and ICR Research, with help of the Goeth-Institut London, the Royal Society, ECHIC and the British Council.

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Knowledge Diplomacy Conference

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