SciPol in an Era of Glb Fragm

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In today’s fragmented world, the science–policy nexus faces unprecedented strain. Climate change, pandemics, and resource competition transcend borders, yet the very institutions designed to coordinate global action—the UN, NATO, the EU, and others—face crises of trust and legitimacy. Scientific evidence must navigate not only uncertainty but also growing nationalism, contested multilateralism, and fractured global governance. This course equips students to critically analyze how science and policy interact under these conditions of fragmentation. We will explore when and why evidence shapes—or fails to shape—decision-making, and what new strategies are emerging to bridge divides. Students will learn to translate complex research into actionable insights, identify institutional pathways for influence, and design policies resilient to political uncertainty. By the end of the semester, students will be able to: 1. Evaluate how fragmentation affects global responses to climate, water, and security challenges. 2. Apply frameworks for navigating the science–policy interface in contested political contexts. 3. Produce concise, actionable policy outputs that anticipate resistance and identify leverage points for cooperation.