Two professors partner with UNITAR for science diplomacy program

The University of Arizona is collaborating with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to offer a professional certificate program in science policy and diplomatic practice. This is the university’s first joint program with UNITAR, a U.N. agency headquartered in Geneva that provides training and capacity-building programs to support intentional development, peace and security, and economic progress.

Starting in May, two faculty members from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics – Kevin Lansey and Hassan Vafai – will work with UNITAR instructors to present the 14-week online program. The course is designed to equip students around the world with skills in negotiation, strategic communication, critical thinking and policy analysis.

Lansey partnered with the U of A’s Continuing and Professional Education office to develop the UNITAR collaboration. Lansey and Vafai lead the university’s Science, Health, and Engineering Policy and Diplomacy Initiative. They look forward to bringing the initiative’s unique “science for policy” perspective to the curriculum, said Lansey, a professor in CAEM with a joint appointment in hydrology and atmospheric sciences.

“Our science policy and diplomacy course helps scientists, engineers and health professionals become involved in the policy domain. Science issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change are increasingly important, and we need scientists to contribute to good policymaking on these topics,” he said.

The certificate program also benefits those working in public affairs and diplomacy, including policymakers in government or nongovernmental organizations, said Lansey.