Why was the ClimateExp0 relevant for researchers interested in science and policy?

As a PhD researcher focused on biodiversity and climate change, the 'ClimateExp0 2021: Advancing a Resilient Zero-Carbon World' was an excellent opportunity to connect with peers and policy makers worldwide to see how scientists and politicians are responding to climate change.

Science and policy: best features of humankind

Driven by the curiosity to understand nature's forces, I decided to become a biology researcher at a young age. However, later in my career, I realised the importance of policy and evidence-based initiatives, which led me to focus on policy. For a long time, I thought of policy and research as conflicting areas, often operating in opposite ways, which needed to be studied separately.

However, science and policy are deeply interlinked, and they both represent two of our best and greatest human features. Science stands for the curiosity to understand the world we live in, an intrinsic characteristic of human. Science also reflects how our brains work and gives our societies a rigorous system of analysis. On the other hand, the policy represents how we organise our communities, prioritise needs, and stand up for our motivations to make a better world. Furthermore, it means the search for ideals, another feature that makes us human. Richard Leaky describes in his book “Origins”; our human nature makes us creatures with a passion for knowledge . Yet, as humans, we have a natural desire to influence on other members of our species . I believe the Climate Exp0 showed the best examples of our motivations to understand climate change dynamics whilst showing politicians' willingness to understand these to better address this problem.

Why was the ClimateExp0 relevant for researchers (and PGRs) interested in science and policy?

The conference, held from 17 to 21 May 2021, displayed the latest and most relevant international research in climate change. Among its five key areas, the Nature-based solutions panel provided me with the platform to share my ongoing research and gather insight into how other researchers are approaching climate change in different dimensions. Furthermore, the event allowed researchers interested or working in this area to be informed of the latest policy decisions and trends leading towards the COP26.

Personally, I gained a lot from hearing about the various research projects across different disciplines, focusing on nature-based solutions around the world. It was motivating to listen to policymakers and government officials recognising the importance of the natural world in our societies and well-being.

Apart from learning from the latest projects developed in academia and some governmental institutions, the Climate Exp0 helped me expand my professional network in an environment outside the University. I am grateful to the Public Policy Southampton team, particularly to Yaryna Basystyuk, to encourage my participation in this event.

Strong communication and close collaboration between science and policy are crucial for developing evidence-based policy and ultimately achieving a higher positive impact for society.

Cristina Argudin Violante, PhD student at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton

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