Persistent divides on science threaten to leave developing nations behind, new UNESCO report shows

PRESS RELEASE   Persistent divides on science threaten to leave developing nations behind, new UNESCO report shows   Paris, 15 July 2026 – UNESCO today opens the 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), with the release of new data revealing both the scale of scientific mobilization over the past two years, as well as the persistent divides that threaten to leave developing nations behind. The Global Conference will bring together over 800 ministers, scientists, and leaders in Paris to take stock of the state of global science and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. New UNESCO data available here: First Global Report of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development   The Science Decade is harnessing the full spectrum of sciences to address compounding global crises such as climate disruption, inequality and the governance of emerging technologies like AI and quantum science. Launched today, its Global Report assesses the first two years into the Decade, drawing on data from 397 endorsed scientific initiatives across 79 countries. It documents an unprecedented response from the global scientific community: USD 50 million in confirmed funding mobilized, and projects supporting all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Yet the same data exposes a sharp imbalance. Africa accounts for less than 10% of the Decade's initiatives despite representing 17.5% of the world's population. Meanwhile among participating initiatives, 40% identified coordination rather than funding as their primary barrier, pointing to a governance gap that money alone cannot close. “The world is not lacking scientific knowledge -- what we need now are stronger systems to put that knowledge to work for people and the planet. Two years into the Science Decade, scientists across the world have mobilized with remarkable energy. Governments must now turn this momentum into policies, budgets and measurable impact – with UNESCO’s support,” said Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.  The report identifies five structural reforms to get the SDGs back on track: Reform how research is rewarded from the current "publish or perish" culture; Expand equitable access to scientific infrastructure and knowledge, allowing all countries to participate and benefit; Create direct bridges between scientists and decision-makers to ensure research remains responsive to society’s needs; Rebuild public trust in science through integrity, inclusion and scientific literacy Responsibly govern new technologies, including AI, before they outpace our ability to steer them. Open science: closing the gap from policy to implementation New UNESCO data also reveals how 81 countries have implemented UNESCO’s Recommendation on Open Science since its adoption in 2021. The findings show that 60% of open science policies adopted over the past 5 years explicitly reference the Recommendation, showing proof that this instrument is directly shaping how governments design science policy. Yet progress remains uneven: while 79% of governments report having an open science policy framework, only 41% actually have a plan in place to implement it, and just one in three has a monitoring mechanism to ensure these policies are reaching their goal of making scientific research more accessible.   Science for the next generation On the sidelines of the conference, UNESCO and the AXA Foundation for Human Progress have launched Next Generations, a photo exhibition showcasing eleven outstanding young researchers from around the world and the stories behind their work, a reminder that the scientists who will carry the next decade of discovery are already at work. Under the theme Science in Action: Charting a Sustainable and Equitable Future for All, the Global conference will tackle the most pressing challenges to close the gap between scientific research and the decisions that affect people's lives, including: reducing global science divides between North and South, and between men and women, translating open science commitments into practice, and rebuilding public trust in science.   Learn more IDSSD Global Conference Provisional agenda International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) About UNESCO   With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.   “Since wars begin in the minds of women and men, it is in the minds of women and men that the defences of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.   More information: www.unesco.org   Press contact François WIBAUX, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 (0) 1 45 68 07 46   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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Short survey on Responsible AI-focused on ensuring AI systems are ethical, fair, and beneficial to society

Greetings from the Centre for Digital Transformation, IIM Ahmedabad !!

I am Akanksha Jaiswal, working with Prof. Pankaj Setia in the domain of Responsible AI-focused on ensuring AI systems are ethical, fair, and beneficial to society. We are conducting a short survey to gather diverse professional perspectives on this topic, and I would greatly value your participation. Please note that providing your name and organization is optional. The survey does not include any questions related to financial data, and all results will be shared only in a consolidated manner, ensuring that no personal or individual findings appear in the report. All responses will remain anonymous. 
🕒 Takes just 10–15 minutes
🔒 Completely anonymous
📊 Contributes directly to research and policy insights
You can participate here: 👉 https://iimahmedabad.questionpro.com/t/Acl6jZ7qVg
🎁 As a small token of appreciation, participants will receive a free soft copy of the final research report once published.
Thank you for your time—your perspective can help shape a more responsible AI future. I’d  truly appreciate your participation.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries. Contact: akankshaj[@]iima.ac.in

Download Sampriti Magazine PDF

Download Sampriti Magazine PDF

Humanistic Leadership in an AI Driven World: A Strategic Leadership Programme for Decision-Makers Navigating AI, Ethics, Innovation, and Society | 17-21 August, Bengaluru

 Humanistic Leadership in an AI Driven World: A Strategic Leadership Programme for Decision-Makers Navigating AI, Ethics, Innovation, and Society

17-21 August 2026

Venue: National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, India

Application Form & Brochure

 

About the Programme

The National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) aims to blend leadership excellence, adaptive responses to evolving technologies, and transformative outcomes. In line with JRD Tata’s guiding principles, the third episode of the nationwide programme by NIAS, “Humanistic Leadership in an AI Driven World,” will explore the challenges and opportunities for top leaders in an AI-dominated environment from a multidisciplinary and societal perspective.

This programme is designed to initiate groundbreaking discussions and transformations, focusing on leadership in the context of India’s growing reputation for tech entrepreneurship, digital solutions, and cost-efficiency. It will emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach to humanistic leadership that can drive policymaking, innovation, and development.

The NIAS Humanistic Leadership programme aims to help leaders navigate the complexities of managing workforce and systems in an AI-driven world, promoting leadership that is humanistic, participative, motivational, and inclusive. Social psychology highlights that humanistic leadership values respect for others and fosters individual excellence, agency, and creativity, which is crucial as AI increasingly influences work and living spaces.             

The programme will leverage leadership concepts and experiences to foster holistic changes in leaders and organizations, addressing major national and global challenges posed by an AI-driven world. Dr. Sangeetha Menon, who is the Professor and Head of the NIAS Consciousness Studies Programme, will curate and coordinate the week-long event.

Programme Sessions and the Focus

The five-day programme will feature interactive sessions led by experts, creating various interdisciplinary scenarios to address the challenges, difficulties, and opportunities presented by AI in today’s world for India. Resource persons will discuss how AI adaptability and inclusion will impact human leadership. Equally important is understanding how to cultivate and utilize humanistic leadership across multidisciplinary platforms to tackle challenges arising from AI-driven automation. Experts and resource persons from diverse disciplines, including science, society, and culture, will lead thematic lectures and interactive discussions focused on leadership and decision-making with a humancentric approach rather than a machine-centric one. Specific sessions will address gender awareness and the challenges faced by women in leadership roles. A unique feature of the NIAS residential programmes is the tranquil and serene campus environment, which enhances the excellence of multidisciplinary interactions. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with leaders and experts from various fields, including science, society, industry, and academia, fostering rich dialogues and learning.

JNU Workshop 'Gender equality in STEM worldwide: Innovative approaches to make STEM inclusive' | 14–16 September

Workshop 'Gender equality in STEM worldwide: Innovative approaches to make STEM inclusive'

14–16 September 2026

JNU, New Delhi, India

Brochure

The generally lower numbers of women in STEM education and professions have been a concern for a long time, and numerous studies across disciplines inform policies aimed at increasing their numbers worldwide, but the growth is slow and it varies across countries. Why do we find fewer women in STEM in many parts of the world? This is the key question a series of workshops in several countries worldwide aims to address, by bringing together researchers and policymakers working on gender and STEM, both in industry and academia. The fourth workshop of the series will take place in New Delhi from September 14th to 16th, 2026. The inaugural workshop took place in Heidelberg on October 8 and 9, 2025, followed by the second workshop in Kyoto on November 28 and 29, 2025, and the third workshop in Santiago de Chile march 30 – April 1st 2026. Some of the topics we intend to discuss during the workshop include the fundamental narratives surrounding women and STEM: Is it clear that women would unambiguously benefit from entering STEM, and thus behave irrationally if they refrain from doing so? Is the focus on women and on how they differ from the “male default” the best way to reach inclusive environments? Can focusing on structures rather than on individual choices help explain why STEM is less attractive to women than to men? The prevalence of sexism and sexual harassment, social identity issues, workplace and societal and cultural norms that negatively affect women in STEM are examples of (structural) aspects that have gained less attention than female characteristics and women´s preferences so far. And what about men? How can men be encouraged to enter non-STEM fields? What structural or individual factors make non-STEM fields less appealing to men than to women? How do men react when women enter STEM fields in larger numbers and their entry is strongly promoted? Beyond fostering exchange among researchers and practitioners, the series of workshops has a second, concrete structural aim: forming a network of researchers to collaborate on developing a large-scale, global panel study. This study will include, among other methods, survey experiments to test some of the ideas developed during the workshops across various countries and cultures. The workshop is organized as a mix of research presentations and small-group work sessions with researchers and STEM “practitioners” (from academia and the private sector). These work phases aim to develop concrete ideas for the larger panel study. To enable productive collaboration, a maximum of 30 participants from all relevant fields will be accepted to the workshop. We invite researchers from all fields working on topics relevant to the workshop's main theme to submit an abstract of up to 350 words to Christiane.schwieren@awi.uni-heidelberg.de by July 3rd, 2026. Information about acceptance will be sent out by July 10th, 2026. While workshop attendance is free, participants must cover their own travel costs. Target audience: Researchers from all fields working on topics related to STEM and gender & researchers & practitioners in STEM fields with an interest in the topic.

Management Development Programme on Policy Design and Strategic Leadership Governance | IIM Indore

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Dear All,

Greetings for the day! 

I will be coordinating a Management Development Programme at the Indian Institute of Management Indore titled "Policy Design and Strategic Leadership Governance", scheduled from 21–23 September 2026" at the IIM Indore campus. Download Brochure: https://iimidr.ac.in/mdp-calendar/policy-design-and-strategic-leadership-governance/

The programme has been designed for mid-career and senior professionals from government, public sector organisations, consulting firms, development organisations, think tanks, and the corporate sector who are involved in or aspire to work in policy formulation, implementation, governance, or strategic decision-making.

The programme focuses on developing practical capabilities in:

• Strategic policy design and governance leadership

• Citizen-centric and evidence-based policymaking

• Design thinking and behavioural insights for governance

• Stakeholder consultation and policy communication

• Policy reading, writing, deployment, monitoring, and evaluation

• Navigating complex and non-linear policy environments

• Indian and global governance and corporate case studies

The objective is to bridge the gap between policy intent and implementation while equipping participants with analytical and practical tools to address contemporary governance challenges. Please find the programme brochure attached for your reference.

If you believe this programme may be relevant for your colleagues or your organisation, I would be grateful if you could circulate it within your professional networks/organisation/department.

 For any queries regarding the programme, please feel free to write to me at shariquem@iimidr.ac.in or contact the Management Development Programme Office at mdp@iimidr.ac.in  .

I look forward to welcoming participants to IIM Indore.

With best wishes,

Sharique Hassan Manazir, PhD
Programme Coordinator: Policy Design and Strategic Leadership Governance
Faculty – Public Policy & Digital Democracy

Humanities & Social Sciences Area

A 216, Academic Block | +917312439418

Indian Institute of Management, Indore

ORCID: 0000-0001-9791-1713 

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Dr. Anup Kumar Das
Centre for Studies in Science Policy
School of Social Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi - 110067, India

डॉ. अनुप कुमार दास 

विज्ञान नीति अध्ययन केंद्र, सामाजिक विज्ञान विद्यालय,

जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालय, नई दिल्ली - 110067, भारत

Editor-in-Chief: Journal of Data Science, Informetrics, and Citation Studies (jcitation.org)

Editor/Book Review Editor, Journal of Scientometric Research (JSCIRES) (Scopus-indexed). 

Associate Editor, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID) (Scopus-indexed).

Information Coordinator-cum-Member, IFLA Library History Special Interest Group

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9490-7938

Web: www.anupkumardas.blogspot.com

X: @AannuuppK | @IndiaSTS
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10-Day Research Methodology Course on Conceptual Foundations of Qualitative Research in Critical Health Studies in the Digital Era | 1-10 September, JNU

ICSSR-Sponsored Ten-Day Research Methodology Course on Conceptual Foundations of Qualitative Research in Critical Health Studies in the Digital Era: Concepts, Design, Interpretation and Academic Writing

Dates: 1-10 September 2026

Venue: Committee Room, SSS-I, JNU, New Delhi

Organized by Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Brochure | Application Form

About Research Methodology

Research methodology forms the backbone of all research, whether in the social or natural sciences. Scholars in the social sciences often encounter challenges when discussing methodology because methodological orientations are inherently complex. When conducting field research, their primary objective is to engage with individuals or groups, either directly or indirectly, which adds layers of complexity. Recognizing this, the Centre has undertaken the initiative to provide scholars with guidance and insights into these intricate epistemological frameworks, helping them navigate and apply research methodologies effectively, particularly qualitative methods.

About the Research Methodology Course

The ten-day Research Methodology Course is designed to strengthen qualitative research capacity among emerging scholars across the broader social sciences, with a thematic focus on Critical Health Studies in the Digital Era. This is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry located within the wider domain of social science research. It brings together insights from Sociology, Social and Medical Anthropology, Medical Sociology, Medical Geography, Geography of Health, Social Work, Social Medicine, Community Health, Humanities, Gender Studies, Disability Studies, and other related fields to examine access to health, illness, care, embodiment, suffering, health systems, institutions, and inequality as socially produced and historically mediated realities.

Objectives

1. To provide conceptual clarity regarding the nature, scope, and philosophical foundations of qualitative research within the broader social science discipline in the digital era.

2. To introduce Critical Health Studies as an interdisciplinary thematic field for qualitative inquiry in the social sciences.

3. To train scholars in identifying research problems, framing research questions, and selecting qualitative designs appropriate to health-related social inquiry.

4. To familiarize scholars with major qualitative approaches such as phenomenology, narrative analysis, grounded theory, ethnography, narrative inquiry, case study, and thematic analysis.

5. To build practical competence in qualitative data generation through in-depth interviews, observation, field notes, narratives, and documentary materials.

6. To develop scholars -writing, theme construction, interpretation, and qualitative argumentation.

7. To provide hands-on introductory exposure to selected qualitative data analysis tools like MAXQDA for data organization, coding, retrieval, and analysis.

8. To strengthen academic writing skills for methodology and design, analysis and interpretation, recommendations and policy suggestions for dissertation/thesis, and research articles.

9. To encourage ethically grounded, reflexive, and analytically rigorous qualitative research in social sciences on the issues of health, illness, and care; health systems, and governance.

10. To contribute to high-quality qualitative scholarship among researchers.

Other Details

This Research Methodology Course is open to all registered PhD/PDF scholars in any Social Sciences discipline at recognized Indian universities or research institutes. The course is limited to 30 participants: 10 from Delhi, 10 from Delhi NCR, and 10 from outside the Delhi NCR. Full attendance in all sessions is mandatory, and no leave will be permitted. Participants must bring their own laptops for practical training with qualitative software. Certificates will be awarded only to those who attend all sessions and actively engage throughout the course. Candidates interested in participating in the course should submit a duly completed and printed registration form by 15th July 2026 through Google Form only. The registration form is included with the brochure. The submission should include the following documents:

1. Registration Form along with a 300-word write-up outlining the area and the motivation for participating in the course.

2. Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the applicant.

3. Proof of Ph.D./PDF Registration.  

4. Self-attested caste/community certificate (ST/SC/OBC/Minority/Disability), if applicable.

Complete the attached Application Form and get it endorsed by the Research Supervisor and Head of Department/Chairperson. Complete all the details mentioned and submit a scanned PDF copy through the Google Form link provided. 

Call for Participation in WLIC2026 Satellite Meeting 'What is Library History? What is Information History? Bridges to the Future at a Time of Transformation' | 7th August , Busan

Call for Participation in IFLA WLIC 2026 Satellite Meeting
Satellite Theme: 'What is Library History? What is Information History? Bridges to the Future at a Time of Transformation'
The IFLA Library Theory and Research Section and the Library History Special Interest Group will organize a Satellite Meeting hosted by the Pusan National University of the Republic of Korea in Busan, Korea, on 7th August (morning) 2026.
Date and Time: Friday, August 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Korean Standard Time)
Venue: Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
Online Registration (Free of Charge): https://lnkd.in/ggmzTa4w

Program Agenda and More Information: https://lnkd.in/gAcbdj7g

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Dr. Anup Kumar Das
Centre for Studies in Science Policy
School of Social Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi - 110067, India

Information Coordinator-cum-Member, IFLA Library History Special Interest Group

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9490-7938

Web: www.anupkumardas.blogspot.com

X: @AannuuppK | @IndiaSTS
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CODATA Webinar "Participation Without Power: Technology Sovereignty, Data Sovereignty and the AI Divide in South Asia" | 6 July at 11:00 IST

CODATA Webinar "Participation Without Power: Technology Sovereignty, Data Sovereignty and the AI Divide in South Asia" | 6 July at 11:00 IST

Description: This is an online side event to the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance. This panel examines a core challenge for South Asia's AI ambitions: how can countries build sovereign AI capacity when the infrastructure it depends on is governed outside their jurisdiction? The question reflects a structural dependency shaping AI development across the Global South, and South Asia offers a substantive, documented case for global AI governance deliberations. AI ambition across the region is clear, but technology sovereignty varies significantly. India has invested in AI infrastructure and policy, yet structural dependencies persist. For countries with fewer resources, the gap is wider. The session will examine where capacity-building ends and dependency begins, and what governance conditions must exist before community upcoming data enters AI pipelines, with the objective of generating concrete recommendations for how international mechanisms can address sovereignty, not just skills. Bringing together voices from government, civil society, and communities, the discussion will explore three themes: technology sovereignty, data sovereignty, and the enforceability of community consent obligations under international law. For indigenous communities, this challenge is immediate. The panel will examine it as a subset of the same tension, playing out at the community level, where consent obligations exist but the current architecture makes them difficult to enforce.

Register Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9XONUiOGTaiR7iwbv3eObw#/registration

Thanks,

Best regards,

Moumita

Moumita Koley, Ph. D.

Senior Research Analyst, DST-CPR, IISc, Bangalore

Research Fellow, RoRI, UK

Member, DORA Steering Committee/ OSMI Steering Board/ IAU Open Science Expert Group

LinkedIn

Science Diplomacy (Vol. 9(4), Apr-Jun 2026) is released

Dear Colleague

Greetings from CSIR-NIScPR, India!

 

We are pleased to share the latest issue of Science Diplomacy (Vol. 9(4), Apr-Jun 2026). This issue features insightful articles by distinguished experts and practitioners from across the globe, covering diverse themes including the evolving science–diplomacy interface, geopolitics and scientific talent, India–Africa cooperation, ocean governance, India's RDI Fund, biosecurity, and India's climate action journey.

1. [The Science-Diplomacy Interface – Has It Changed?] — Peter Gluckman & Annalise Higgins, Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, Auckland, New Zealand
   
2. [When Science Meets Geopolitics: US Policy Shifts, Talent Reconfiguration, and the Rise of South–South Collaboration] — Derya Buyuktanir Karacan, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
   
3. [Science, Technology and Innovation for Inclusive Transformation: Advancing India–Africa Cooperation] — Brando Okolo, African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), South Africa
   
4. [The Abyssal Frontier: Vertical Sovereignty and the Ethics of Ocean Governance] — Paola González-Vargas, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA), Costa Rica
   
5. [India's RDI Fund and the New Imperative of Science Diplomacy] — Jyoti Sharma, Department of Science & Technology, India 
   
6. [Addressing Biosecurity Risks in Private Laboratories and Biological Supply Chains] — Shravishtha Ajaykumar, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, India
   
7. [Science, Policy and Purpose: My Journey Through India’s Climate Action] — Akhilesh Gupta
   

We invite you to explore the latest issue and share it with your colleagues and networks. To access the issue, click here.

We hope you find this issue informative and engaging. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future issues.

Regards

Monika

Dr Monika Jaggi

Principal Scientist & Editor, Science Diplomacy

CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR)

Dr K S Krishnan Marg

New Delhi – 110012, India

CSIR-NIScPR  | LinkedIn  |  X