5 July 2018
Sir Peter Gluckman named President-elect of International Science Council
Yesterday Sir Peter Gluckman FRS FRSNZ was elected to the position of President-elect of the newly formed International
Science Council at its inaugural meeting in Paris.
The International Science Council combines two longstanding organisations — the International Council for Science and
the International Social Science Council, and is intended to provide global leadership on complex issues that can be
addressed through application of transdisciplinary science.
Sir Peter will hold the role of President-elect of the Council until 2021 and will then serve as President for three
years until 2024.
Royal Society Te Apārangi Chief Executive Dr Andrew Cleland FRSNZ was part of the New Zealand science envoy in Paris
present at the election.
"It was clear what great esteem Sir Peter is held in across the widest diversity of science disciplines and regions of
the globe.
"This is the first time a New Zealander has held such an important and significant role in global science. His election
to this role is well-deserved. It is clear that the world appreciates his ongoing contributions, including his
continuing leadership in the International Network of Government Science Advisers.”
"On behalf of the Society, I congratulate Sir Peter and we wish him well in this new and very significant role for New
Zealand science."
Sir Peter Gluckman has served as New Zealand's Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor for almost a decade until this
week, when Professor Juliet Gerrard FRSNZ has taken over the role.
Sir Peter says the need for a stronger global voice for science has never been more apparent.
"Our world is becoming more fractured at the very time we need concerted efforts to address global and domestic issues.
Technological and social changes create both challenges and opportunities for enhancing the environment, society and the
economy.
"All knowledge disciplines and sciences ranging from basic/fundamental to stakeholder-engaged have critical roles to
play: undertaking excellent research, building capacity and global collaboration, and communicating results and their
implications to both society and policy makers.
"Yet our voice is not always clearly heard. Scientists in all parts of the world must have the freedoms to operate to
achieve lasting impact, while recognising that trust is key in the evolving relationship between science, society and
policy-making.
"As knowledge communities, we must look to ourselves, promoting inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, ethical
conduct, publication practices and outreach that strengthen trust and engagement with all sectors of society.
"The International Science Council can be the premier international science body — the persuasive, integrated voice for
research-based knowledge while strengthening disciplines, national science communities, unions and associations to
better contribute to a world that needs our knowledge."
ends