Science Diplomacy within BRICS: Challenges and Prospects (Results from Expert Interviews)

This article presents the results of an empirical study conducted through expert interviews which purpose was to identify the challenges and prospects of science diplomacy within BRICS. The sample (n = 15) included experts engaged in international relations studies, regional and country studies, science, diplomacy and innovation studies. An analysis of the empirical data revealed that the key challenges to implementing science diplomacy within BRICS are a lack of common agenda for scientific interactions, vague social representations of scientists about each other, a lack of resources. At the same time, the association has certain potential to respond to these challenges. BRICS has science diplomacy political and legal framework, scientific communication platforms, development finance institution. According to expert interviews, prospects for developing science diplomacy within the association include identifying and establishing areas of common interest, furthering scientists’ understanding of each other’s national scientific cultures, enhancing the New Development Bank’s role in funding joint research initiatives. Science diplomacy is based on cooperation and competition dialectics. Specifying issues of common interest can ensure a balance between them in the practice of science diplomacy within the association. Strengthening informal ties between scientists can contribute to mutual understanding among BRICS countries at the societal level.