The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) is pleased to announce the creation of seven research chairs in science diplomacy. In addition to helping to structure this field of research, which has grown significantly over the past two decades, these chairs will enable the development of a network of expertise, strengthen Québec’s position, and support scientific collaboration in science diplomacy at the international level.
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“Science diplomacy is an essential tool for solving major societal challenges, such as climate change, global health, food insecurity, democratic crises, and the governance of new technologies. It is just as indispensable for mitigating the geopolitical upheavals we are currently experiencing. By deploying the network of research chairs in science diplomacy in the coming months, Québec will place itself at the heart of global dialogues.”
– Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec
The FRQ will provide $50,000 per year in financial support to each of these chairs for a period of five years. Québec universities must provide equivalent financial support, and international partners must also contribute financially.
The seven chairs in science diplomacy and the themes they will explore:
Chair in Science Diplomacy and Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence
- [Chair holder] Catherine Régis, Université de Montréal
- Michela Milano, Università di Bologna, Italy
- Caroline Emmer de Albuquerque Green, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Virginia Dignum, Umea University, Sweden
- François Grey, Université de Genève, Switzerland
- Juan David Gutiérrez, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
- Julian Huppert, University of Cambridge – Jesus College, United Kingdom
- Thomas Hervé Mboa Nkoudou, Université de Yaoundé 2, Cameroon
- Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, Université numérique Cheikh Hamidou Kane, Senegal
- Norbert Hounkonnou Mahouton, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Global Science Diplomacy Hub for Arctic and Space Cooperation: Techno-Diplomacy for Resilient Futures in Extreme Environments
- [Chair holder] Pooneh Maghoul, Polytechnique Montréal
- Miriam Aczel, United Nations University, Canada
- Philippe Achilleas, Université Paris-Saclay, France
- Paul Arthur Berkman, Science Diplomacy Center, États-Unis
Science Diplomacy Research Chair in Fisheries Stock Dynamics and Management
- [Chair holder] Dominique Robert, Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Shin-ichi Ito, University of Tokyo, Japan
The Food Convergence Innovation Africa Network (FCI-Africa): an international scientific diplomacy initiative for food security and sustainable prosperity
- [Chair holder] Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie, McGill University
- Lise Korsten, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- John Ulimwengu, International Food Policy Research Institute, United States of America and Rwanda
Research Chair in Climate Science Diplomacy: Knowledges, Technologies, and Governance
- [Chair holder] Annie Chaloux, Université de Sherbrooke
- Amélie Favreau, Université Grenoble Alpes, France
Research Chair in Science Diplomacy on Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
- [Chair holder] Carmen Dionne, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivière
- Nidia Johana Arias Becerra, Universidad CES, Colombia
- Oumar Barry, Université Cheikh Anta Dip de Dakar, Senegal
Indigenous Science Diplomacy Research Chair
· [Chair holder] Hugo Asselin, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Ereck Chakauya, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa
An official launch of the research chairs will take place in spring 2026, in the presence of the chairholders and some international partners: stay tuned!
For information:
Laurent Corbeil
Strategic advisor for international affairs
Fonds de recherche du Québec