Accepted Abstracts

Science Diplomacy and 250 Years of Hungarian Contributions to the United States of America

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Focusing on science diplomacy and on 250 years of Hungarian contributions to the United States, this paper seeks to pinpoint some of the most important intersections between the two. Blending international relations and science policy, science diplomacy has emerged as a novel interest and strategic tool in international relations with great capacity to boost international cooperation. The essence of science diplomacy is to form knowledge-based partnerships and collaborate on solving problems that humans face collectively. There are different dimensions of science diplomacy, but its essential feature is that, despite living under varying social, political, and economic conditions, people who prioritize working toward improving the human condition and contributing to society, always find ways to do so. While this paper puts an emphasis on science diplomacy, it also recognizes that scientists and educators of various kinds, as well as artists, innovative entrepreneurs, and others with diverse backgrounds and expertise, have collectively added to the intellectual and cultural wealth, skills, and perspectives that they brought to the new world. In this spirit, it is important to recognize the remarkable achievements of many Hungarians who, for various reasons, crossed the Atlantic, settled in the United States, while also trying to maintain a strong cultural heritage and a resilient community.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Gabriella Paár-Jákli, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at Kent State University. Her research interests include US-EU relations, networked governance and the role of networks (especially knowledge networks) in transatlantic relations, science diplomacy, cross-cultural communication and cooperation, and global science & technology policy, especially as it relates to society. Her book, Networked Governance and Transatlantic Relations: Building Bridges through Science Diplomacy, Routledge, was published in 2014. It highlights the importance of science and technology policy in foreign policy and assesses the role of digital networks as facilitators of regional cooperation. She was the 2021-2022 Chair of the International Communication Section of the International Studies Association, the most respected and widely known scholarly association in this field.  Before joining academia, Paár-Jákli worked as a policy practitioner in Budapest, Hungary where she served as an expert facilitating economic and trade relations and pursued diplomatic negotiations between Hungary and various other EU countries at the Department of External Economic Relations at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the Department of Economics at the Hungarian Foreign Trade Ministry.

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