Science diplomacy: Discover new opportunities for international cooperation!

Science diplomacy: Discover new opportunities for international cooperation!

On October 15, 2025, the Graduate School of Leuphana University Lüneburg invites new students to its opening days under the motto “Connecting Perspectives”. Prof. Dr. Simone Abels, Vice President of the Graduate School, welcomes the participants while the focus of the event is on the opportunities and challenges of cooperative work and research. These opening days offer students the opportunity to engage with projects such as sustainable start-ups, inclusive festivals and water management in Lüneburg.

A central element of the event are the short pitches from master's students and doctoral students who present their ideas. Subsequent discussions will address interdisciplinary exchange, including the challenges arising from language barriers and conflicts of interest. Verena Klaus, master's student in cultural studies, emphasizes the need for common solutions to complex challenges. Ema Stapleton, an Irish PhD student, highlights the importance of community and collaboration in research.

Global context of scientific cooperation

The opening days of Leuphana University are part of a larger trend in international scientific cooperation. Dr. Katja Lasch from the DAAD provides key input on global scientific cooperation, especially in the context of the countries of the Global South. According to reports from the UNESCO the number of scientific publications has more than doubled in the last 20 years; however, the countries of the Global South continue to be underrepresented. Inequalities in research are often the result of unequal distribution of resources and a lack of research funding.

UNESCO is committed to promoting scientific collaboration and maintains several initiatives, such as the International Abdus Salam Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste. This institute particularly supports researchers from low-income countries and employs over 100,000 scientists. The exchange of seismological data is supported, among other things, by the International Geosciences Program (IGCP), in which Germany is also actively involved.

Science diplomacy as a key to cooperation

Another aspect of scientific cooperation is the role of science diplomacy. This is defined by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR) as an interface between education, science, research and international politics. Scientific knowledge plays a key role in supporting political decisions, particularly with regard to global challenges such as climate change. Science diplomacy promotes trust between countries, even in difficult times.

The BMFTR sets framework conditions for international educational and scientific cooperation. This includes achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supporting other countries in building their science systems. Over 48 agreements on scientific and technological cooperation have already been concluded with various partner countries. These ongoing initiatives are crucial to strengthening the international research landscape and promoting the exchange of knowledge and resources.

In summary, the opening days at Leuphana University are not only an opportunity for new students to present their ideas, but also represent a microcosm for the challenges and prospects of global scientific cooperation. Efforts to create a more inclusive and collaborative research environment must remain a priority given existing global inequalities.