How does your background in diplomacy relate to the scientific world of research?
The social sciences are complementary to the experimental sciences, and each can contribute significantly to the other, and vice versa. Social sciences, such as diplomacy and geopolitics, provide analytical tools within institutional, regulatory, political, and strategic contexts that are essential for understanding why research has an impact beyond the laboratory. When considering a career path, one can also take into account this interconnectedness and the value of interdisciplinary work.
Incorporating a science diplomacy perspective means considering research as a tool for cooperation, trust, and institutional alignment. A clear example is BETA’s participation as a member of the International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation, led by the European Commission, for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This clearly demonstrates how diplomacy, cooperation, and science, in a context of war, are key instruments for building bridges toward a country’s reconstruction.
What challenges does managing projects with Ukraine entail?
Managing a project requires close communication with partners and a recurring presence of the consortium in the country. However, this presence in Ukraine is not possible due to the current situation, which presents a challenge to the project’s development, but also serves as a motivating factor to redouble efforts to advance it.
Furthermore, the frequent power outages and lack of heating suffered by the population make conditions especially difficult for them and, in some way, also affect us, since we work together as a team.
From your point of view, what do we expect to see in the future with the SURE-AMR project?
The SURE-AMR is a starting point for IMBG to access greater competitive funding from European sources. We are helping them create a team within the center, made up of research managers, to function as an Internationalization Office. This will allow researchers to have administrative and financial support to access competitive funds and to depend less on public funding, which is currently limited.
On a more technical level, and as a result of the exchange of scientific knowledge, we hope that this project will enable the IMBG center to support the Government of Ukraine in the future. This, in turn, could drive a series of reforms to the National Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), with the ultimate goal of progressing towards accession to the European Union (EU).
What motivates you about your job?
I am motivated by seeing how teamwork allows us to achieve great goals. It is rewarding to be part of a complex and demanding process like the reconstruction of Ukraine, and to accompany the country on its path to EU accession. It is a process that goes hand in hand with scientific cooperation and science diplomacy.
