Diplomacy on the Global Stage, November 2025

How to communicate and undertake advocacy for science safely during the current geopolitical climate, and navigate challenging conversations diplomatically

Disclaimer: This is an ESWN led event with speakers from different organizations

There are many stressors within the Earth Sciences Community at the moment. A key concern from many individuals is how to communicate and undertake advocacy for science safely during the current geopolitical climate, and navigate challenging conversations diplomatically. 

ESWN is organizing a webinar specifically focused on this, aimed at researchers and professionals from all career levels and sectors on Tuesday November 25th 2025. Through this webinar we aim to highlight good practices in (science) diplomacy skills, drawing on the insights of different individuals who have experience in many different policy and government environments internationally. We hope to educate, empower and inspire the ESWN community, as well as provide reassurance and support. 

The webinar is designed as a panel event with multiple speakers and will be held virtually on Zoom. You can find the start time in your timezone using this link.

Register here: https://forms.gle/eMf6hvKXj3nFPHsw9 

We will be joined by:

  • Asmeret Asefaw Berhe (UC Merced, USA)
  • Aderiana Mbandi (Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility, USA)
  • Ritwika Sengupta (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and The British Standards Institution, UK)
  • Megan O’Donnell (The Geological Society, UK)

Agenda

  1. The preliminary agenda for the event is listed below:
  2. Welcome and Introductions [5 mins]
  3. Panellist experiences [20 mins]
  4. Panel Discussion and Q&A [45 mins]
  5. Breakout Rooms – meet the panelists [30 mins]
  6. Event Close

Recording

All parts of this event (except the breakout rooms) will be recorded. A link will be made available to participants after the event.

We are excited for you to join us! If you have any questions please contact us via events [at] eswnonline [dot] org

The Earth Science Women’s Network Professional Development and Networking Committee 

 

Biographies of speakers

Ritwika Sengupta (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and The British Standards Institution, United Kingdom)

Ritwika is a climate policy specialist currently working across two organizations, British Standards Institution (BSI) and OECD, focused on how standards and regulation can together help scale robust, inclusive and credible climate policies around the world. She is interested in how policies can be globally aligned and locally relevant. She has also previously worked on sustainability policies within UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Natural Environment Research Council.

Aderiana Mbandi (Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility, USA)

Aderiana Mbandi is an atmospheric scientist with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering and a doctorate in Environmental Sciences. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked at the intersection of science and policy in areas such as manufacturing, hazardous chemicals and waste management, climate change, mobility, and air pollution. Previously, she served as a technical expert at the UN Environment Programme’s Regional Office for Africa, where she supported local and national governments and other stakeholders in integrating air quality, climate change, and sustainable development, focusing on key sectors such as energy, waste, transport, agriculture, and industry. Her efforts have included fostering partnerships, driving resource mobilization, and implementing programs. She has been instrumental in building communities of practice that connects scientists, policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society, international NGOs, community members, youth, and women. Aderiana has made significant contributions to the scientific community through numerous publications and her involvement in advisory roles. She has served on the Implementing Committee of the African Group of Atmospheric Sciences (ANGA), the Scientific Steering Committee of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) project, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Scientific Advisory Group on Reactive Gases. She is an alumnus of the Faculty for the Future fellowship by the Schlumberger Foundation, which supports women in STEM. Aderiana earned her PhD from the University of York, UK, with her research hosted at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). Her work focused on developing evidence-based air quality management policies by examining the effects of road transport emissions on human health and the environment, with a particular emphasis on African cities. She has since worked as a lecturer for South Eastern Kenya University, a researcher for SEI, Royal Academy of Engineering and delivered on consultancy projects in Africa and South Asia on climate change, waste and pollution.

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe (University of California Merced, USA)

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, a Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and Falasco Chair in Earth Sciences and Geology, and Director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute and Climate Institute at the University of California, Merced. She previously served as Director of the United States Department of Energy’s Office f Science (Senate confirmed, Presidential nomination) and Associate Dean for Graduate Education at UC Merced. Dr. Berhe’s cutting-edge research bridges the disciplines of soil science, geochemistry, global change science, and political ecology. Her research aims to improve our understanding of the soil system’s role in regulating the Earth’s climate; how soil carbon and nutrient cycles respond to environmental changes, including climate change, land-use changes, erosion, and wildfires; and the dynamic two-way relationship between soil and human communities. Dr. Berhe has deep expertise in science education, communication, and developing practices to ensure inclusive excellence in the science and technology enterprise. She holds the distinction of being an elected member of the United States National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America, and is a recipient of many other awards and honors.

Megan O’Donnell (The Geological Society, UK)

Megan obtained a degree in Geology from the University of St Andrews (2014), before working as an Atmospheric Pollution Research Assistant at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. In 2015 she joined the GeoEnergy research group at the University of Edinburgh where she conducted her PhD research on the minimization of risk and environmental impact from shale gas operations. Since 2019, she has worked for the Geological Society on Policy and Communications, working to build the capacity of the geoscience community to engage in all aspects of public policymaking. In her current role, as Head of Policy and Communications, she is responsible for providing geological information to support evidence-based policy making, communicating the value and importance of geoscience knowledge and skills, and representing the geological community to stakeholders across society, the Government, the media, other scientific communities and the public. Megan leads on the Society’s responses to Government consultations and parliamentary inquiries, and Government and parliamentary engagement. She also leads on the Society’s strategic policy work, producing statements and policy briefing notes.