Science advice & science diplomacy in an era of technological and geopolitical disruption

In early 2025, the Royal Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science released a new conceptual framework for science diplomacy—an update to the widely used 2010 model. Their report, Science and Diplomacy in an Era of Disruption, argues that today’s profound technological and geopolitical shifts require a more dynamic understanding of how science and diplomacy shape one another. As emerging technologies gain strategic importance and global tensions complicate collaboration, the relationship between scientific knowledge and diplomatic decision‑making has never been more critical. To explore this new moment—and what it means for science advice, international cooperation, and the future of global governance—we’re joined by two leading voices in the field: Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec and President of the International Network for Governmental Advice. , and Mathieu Ouimet, representing the Réseau francophone international en conseil scientifique. Together, they help us unpack the 2025 framework, the boundaries between science advice and science diplomacy, the challenges of trust and independence, and the implications of emerging technologies like AI.