Aug. 6, 2026

UCalgary helps advance Canada’s science diplomacy agenda at national summit

University hosts national summit that brought together researchers, diplomats and policymakers to strengthen Canada’s capacity for science diplomacy and global collaboration

UCalgary science diplomacy initiative lead Guillaume Lhermie, right, with Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec, during the closing keynote. Liv Mann Tremblay

Science diplomacy took centre stage in Montréal this spring during a summit co-hosted by the University of Calgary, Université de Montréal and McGill University, in partnership with Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) and the Swiss Embassy in Canada.

The four-day conference and training program titled A Canadian Strategy to Harness the Power of Science Diplomacy had a goal to equip Canada’s science community and policymakers to better understand and leverage the connections between science, innovation, public policy, economic prosperity and global engagement, while reaffirming Canada’s leadership in science diplomacy and position it as a key driver of international collaboration.

A strategic role for science in a complex world

“In the spirit of strategic collaboration led by our leaders and universities, science diplomacy has become an essential lever for restoring international trust, strengthening cooperation, and addressing challenges that transcend borders,” said Dr. William Ghali, MD'90, vice-president (research) with UCalgary.

“The summit invited participants to move beyond the role of passive observers and to become the agents of this transformation, by helping to build sustainable collaborations that will strengthen Canada’s role as the spearhead of a more open, resilient, and cooperative global science diplomacy system.”

In addition to a strong contingent of UCalgary researchers and staff who attended, the university was well-represented at the summit across several topics and disciplines. Dr. Braden Manns, MD, associate vice-president (health research) provided opening remarks on behalf of the university. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Dr. Herman Barkema, DVM, PhD, participated on a panel discussion examining resilient food-health-environment systems using a One Health approach. Dr. Megan Lee, PhD, managing director of Quantum City, spoke to the importance of balancing scientific cooperation and strategic competition. And Dr. Martyn Clark, PhD, of the Schulich School of Engineering, moderated the panel on water diplomacy, co-organized by UCalgary's Water Institute.

Herman Barkema, right, of UCalgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, participates in a panel discussion examining resilient food-health-environment systems using a One Health approach.

Liv Mann Tremblay

Creating connections between research and diplomacy

“Science diplomacy starts with science. Canada collectively has tremendous assets to leverage, and researchers have a responsibility to meet the decision-makers where they are, whether they are local or international,” says Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, PhD, a professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and UCalgary’s lead on the science diplomacy initiative. “Within the scientific committee of the summit, we tailored a programme that enabled thought provoking exchanges, and ensured we had topics directly relevant to diplomats.”

“For UCalgary, the summit was a unique occasion to illustrate not only our subject matter expertise, but also our institutional commitment in science diplomacy,” he adds.