Science attaché
Encyclopedia
A science attaché is a member of a diplomatic mission
, usually an embassy. A science attaché traditionally had three primary functions: advise the ambassador
on scientific and technical matters, report scientific and technological events, and represent his or her country in scientific and technical matters to foreign scientific and technical academies
, industry, and government bodies. A science attaché also helped forge formal ties between domestic and foreign scientists and researchers and acted as a catalyst for scientific exchange initiatives. The non-advising roles of the science attaché seem somewhat less important in the age of the internet and the truly international scientific community it has helped create.
called for the appointment of more science-savvy diplomats to the State Department to improve the quality of the scientific advice available to foreign policymakers. The panel also emphasized the need to encourage general foreign service staff to acquire scientific skills.
Formerly, being appointed science attaché was viewed as the "kiss of death" for advancement within the foreign service. However, with the growing importance of scientific issues such as global warming
, global infectious diseases
, and bioterrorism
to foreign policymaking and diplomacy, this perception may be changing.
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
, usually an embassy. A science attaché traditionally had three primary functions: advise the ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
on scientific and technical matters, report scientific and technological events, and represent his or her country in scientific and technical matters to foreign scientific and technical academies
National academy
A national academy is an organizational body, usually operating with state financial support and approval, that co-ordinates scholarly research activities and standards for academic disciplines, most frequently in the sciences but also the humanities. Typically the country's learned societies in...
, industry, and government bodies. A science attaché also helped forge formal ties between domestic and foreign scientists and researchers and acted as a catalyst for scientific exchange initiatives. The non-advising roles of the science attaché seem somewhat less important in the age of the internet and the truly international scientific community it has helped create.
Historical functions
The role of U.S. science attachés was first outlined in 1950 in a report entitled Science and Foreign Relations, issued by the U.S. State Department. It listed the primary duties of science attachés as:- Reporting on significant scientific and technological developments.
- Assistance in the exchange of scientific information
- Assistance in the exchange of scientific persons
- Assistance in the procurement of scientific apparatus, chemicals, and biologicals
- Cooperation with all United States groups abroad having programs with scientific and technological aspects
- General representations of United States science
- Scientific and technical advice to the Embassy staff
- Arrangements for collaborative research projects between the United States and foreign scientists
- General promotion of better understanding between the United States and foreign science.
Modern trends
The modern trend seems to be to emphasize the advisory role of the science attaché over the facilitation of scientific and technical exchanges. As recently as 1998, the National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
called for the appointment of more science-savvy diplomats to the State Department to improve the quality of the scientific advice available to foreign policymakers. The panel also emphasized the need to encourage general foreign service staff to acquire scientific skills.
Formerly, being appointed science attaché was viewed as the "kiss of death" for advancement within the foreign service. However, with the growing importance of scientific issues such as global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, global infectious diseases
Globalization and disease
Globalization, the flow of information, goods, capital and people across political and geographic boundaries, has helped to spread some of the deadliest infectious diseases known to humans. The spread of diseases across wide geographic scales has increased through history...
, and bioterrorism
Bioterrorism
Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare, see biological warfare.-Definition:According to the...
to foreign policymaking and diplomacy, this perception may be changing.