Seven distinguished scientific leaders join the ISC Board of Directors at a critical time for science.
Science has an unspoken contract with society. In exchange for independence, resources, and the freedom to address questions whose answers may not be immediately obvious, it must generate knowledge that benefits society. However, this contract is increasingly evolving. As geopolitical tensions increase, scientific practice faces political and financial pressures that affect its ability to fulfill its mandate to society.
In this context, seven scientists from around the world joined the Board of Directors of the International Council for Science (ICS), following elections organized by ICS members.
The new members, who will take office at the conclusion of the interim meeting of the ISC members on 23 October 2026, will include two vice-chairs and five ordinary members:
Rémi Quirion
ISC Vice President for Finance, Compliance and Risk, Inaugural Chief Scientific Officer of Quebec
Lai Meng Looi
ISC Vice President for Scientific Programs, Inaugural National Distinguished Professor
University of Malaya
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Member of the Board of Directors of ISC, Professor and Director of Research at North-West University, South Africa and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, UK
Bonnie Campbell
Member of the ISC Board of Directors, Professor Emeritus
Department of Political Science, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Javier Garcia-Martinez
Member of the Board of Directors of ISC, Director
Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Alicante
Mona Simion
ISC Board Member, Professor of Philosophy and Michael Cohen Fellow
Exeter College, University of Oxford
Luis Sobrevia
Member of the ISC Board of Directors, Professor
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
For Remi Quirion, maintaining trust in science in these complex times is crucial for ensuring continued societal support for scientific practice.
“When we think about the challenges and opportunities for ISCs and science in general, we often focus on the impact of artificial intelligence, climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals and others, but the biggest risk is the global loss of trust in science and scientific communities. ISCs, with their impressive membership from around the world, should play a key leadership role in this, focusing not only on international and national bodies, but also on ‘ordinary citizens’,” he said.
“While it is not easy, it is essential and fortunately, ISC, together with its partners, is in a unique position to succeed. During my term, I hope to advance this goal and continue to promote ISC as a global voice for science,” he added.
For Lai-Meng Looi, a forward-looking and solution-oriented scientific approach will act as a guiding star during his tenure on the ISC Board of Directors.
“We live in a post-normal era, defined by interconnected, rapidly evolving and sometimes conflicting challenges. Science must do more than produce knowledge: it must ask the right questions, separate meaningful signals from noise and translate evidence into actions that benefit society. By anticipating major global problems, science can adopt forward-looking, mission-oriented approaches that respond to emerging needs, enable effective action and strengthen societal resilience to future changes and shocks,” she said.
“ISC can build on its strong scientific legacy and established strategic priorities. Its distinct power of mobilization allows it to bring together exceptional expertise from its members and affiliated networks, ensuring that diverse scientific perspectives inform decisions on issues of global importance. My vision is for ISC, as the trusted voice of science, to strengthen the link between science and policy and to strengthen science as a global public good,” she added.
The five new full members embody another defining force of science: its ability to transcend borders, barriers, and disciplinary boundaries. Bringing together diverse expertise, from environmental microbiology and political economy to chemistry and philosophy, and perspectives from regions stretching from South Africa to Chile, their appointments reflect the breadth and international nature of the scientific endeavor.
“For me, science should function as a public good, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to it and benefit from it. Through ISC, I hope to strengthen the foundations that allow scientists to work together across borders and ensure that communities with fewer resources have a meaningful say in shaping science. I see ISC as a place where all branches of knowledge can come together to address our greatest challenges,” said Javier García-Martínez.
“Today’s global challenges cannot be addressed by a single discipline, country or region. My perspective is rooted in Latin America and the Caribbean, but my commitment is global. I look forward to strengthening cooperation between ISC members from all regions, especially where scientific participation remains limited. I also hope to promote science diplomacy, support early-career and established researchers, and foster partnerships that transform scientific knowledge into meaningful societal impact. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and I am committed to serving the ISC community with independence and responsibility,” said Luis Sobrevia.
Originally from Nigeria, Olubukola Babalola brings an African perspective on science, offered by all and for all.
“Science should be a shared resource for humanity, and Africa and the world at large should have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to it and benefit from it. Africa should not be seen as just a beneficiary of global science – it is an equal corporate social partner in generating knowledge, stimulating responsible innovation and shaping the scientific priorities of our contemporary time. I would like to contribute to the development of an ISC that brings together the global scientific community not only to understand the challenges facing humanity, but also to help society respond with evidence, foresight, innovation and collective responsibility,” she said.
ISC believes that the role of science is not limited to the production of knowledge. At a time when both the place of science in public life and the conditions under which knowledge is produced and given credibility are increasingly contested, scientific ambitions to shape a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future are more important than ever.
“I see the ISC as an exceptional tool for reducing political tensions created by today’s global challenges by promoting cooperation and peace through science. In the context of the increasing militarization of our economies, especially in the way we use the world’s finite resources, the collective work of scientists from all disciplines to inform and counter these trends is of paramount importance to me,” said Bonnie Campbell.
“As a social scientist, I hope to bring a broad interdisciplinary perspective, based on multi-level approaches, able to articulate the links between regulatory and legislative frameworks and local realities, with the aim of formulating policy-oriented results. Above all, it is essential to ensure that those directly involved play a central role in addressing the challenges they have direct knowledge of and are best placed to solve,” she added.
“We are at a truly critical moment for science. The integrity of knowledge, namely who produces it, who trusts it, who has access to it, is under pressure from many directions simultaneously. I believe that the greatest opportunity and responsibility of the ISC in the coming years is to become the authoritative global voice on the conditions for trustworthy science: the institutional structures, the communication norms, the governance frameworks that allow for the reliable production of scientific knowledge, appropriate communication and the granting of appropriate trust. I am very honored by the trust that the members of the ISC have placed in me at such a critical moment and I am very excited to contribute,” said Mona Simion.
The seven new members bring very different experiences and perspectives to the ISC Board of Directors. Yet their contributions point to a common question: in a time of rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing pressure on research systems, how can science live up to its contract with society?
This question remains at the heart of the ISC’s mission and the work that the new Board of Directors will help develop: protecting the conditions in which science can thrive, strengthening international cooperation, and ensuring that scientific knowledge serves the public good.
Photo by Florian Göpfert on Unsplash
Source: https://ro.council.science/news/governing-board-lays-out-vision/
Share this:
Discover more from #News247WorldPress
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.