A science attaché (also known as a scientific attaché or a technical attaché) is a member of a
diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually denotes ...
, usually an
embassy
A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a Sovereign state, state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase ...
. A science
attaché traditionally had three primary functions: advise the
ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
on scientific and technical matters, report on scientific and technological events, and represent their country in scientific and technical matters to foreign scientific and technical
academies; to industry; to
intergovernmental organization
Globalization is social change associated with increased connectivity among societies and their elements and the explosive evolution of transportation and telecommunication technologies to facilitate international cultural and economic exchange. ...
s and agencies; and to
international non-governmental organization
An international non-governmental organization (INGO) is an organization which is independent of government involvement and extends the concept of a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an international scope. INGOs can admit members affiliated t ...
s.
In 1998, the
National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a United States nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. NAS is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, along with the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the ...
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.
Science attachés could help scientists understand the host nation's science culture and practices.
Formerly, being appointed science attaché was viewed as the "kiss of death" for advancement within the foreign service.
Though the perception may change from scientific issues such as
global warming
Present-day climate change includes both global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its wider effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes ...
,
global infectious diseases, and
bioterrorism
Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents include bacteria, viruses, insects, fungi, and/or their toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form, in mu ...
to foreign policymaking and diplomacy.
Historical functions
The role of science attachés of the United States was first outlined in 1950 in a report entitled ''Science and Foreign Relations'', issued by the
United States State Department.
[ It listed the primary duties of science attachés as:]
Notes and references
See also
* Ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
* '' Attaché''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Science attache
Diplomats by role
Science occupations
Attaché
Attaché