Contributing global perspectives on the future of science

The International Science Council (ISC) has launched a new global survey to gather insights on how emerging technologies are transforming science systems worldwide, with a particular focus on opportunities and challenges in the Global South. The initiative forms part of the ISC’s Science Systems Futures project, a multi-year effort supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The project brings together scientists, policymakers, funding agencies and industry actors to better understand how technological advances are reshaping the way science is conducted, funded and governed, and what this means for science as a global public good.

The questionnaire takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and responses will remain confidential and analysed in aggregate form. The survey is open until June 22, 2026, offering a valuable opportunity for researchers, institutions and policymakers to contribute their perspectives on how emerging technologies are shaping the future of science. Click here to access the survey.

Gathering global perspectives

The survey is one of the primary tools through which the ISC is collecting input from the international scientific community. By inviting contributions from diverse regions and sectors (particularly in low- and middle-income countries), the ISC aims to ensure that the resulting analysis reflects a broad and representative range of perspectives. This inclusive approach is especially important given that the benefits and impacts of emerging technologies are unevenly distributed across countries and regions.

The questionnaire explores four major areas of emerging technology that are expected to significantly influence the future of science systems:

• New connectivity technologies, such as satellite networks and next-generation mobile systems (5G/6G), which affect how researchers access and exchange data
• Extended and virtual reality, used for scientific training, simulation, visualization and collaboration
• Data sharing and storage infrastructures, shaping how research data is managed, accessed and governed
• Robotics and artificial intelligence, including machine learning and automation in research processes

Across these themes, respondents are asked to assess both current and anticipated impacts, as well as barriers to adoption, ethical considerations, governance challenges and the role of public-private partnerships.

Informing future science policy and practice

According to the ISC, the findings of the survey will feed into the final report of the Science Systems Futures project, scheduled to be developed by an expert group meeting in Paris in July 2026. The results will also help inform discussions at international workshops and events, contributing to a deeper understanding of how science systems can adapt to rapid technological change. By synthesizing perspectives from across the global scientific community, the initiative aims to support more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking science systems.

IANAS encourages its members and the scientific community across the Americas to participate in the survey and to disseminate the initiative within their networks. This initiative represents an important step in ensuring that the global scientific community, particularly in the Global South, has a voice in shaping how technological transformation influences research systems, collaboration and knowledge production in the years ahead.