Science diplomacy in the European and Latin American and Caribbean research infrastructure collaboration

Abstract Research infrastructures (RIs) are crucial for scientific progress, innovation, and global development, necessitating international collaboration due to their complexity and cost. Science diplomacy (SD) plays a vital role in facilitating policy design, resource pooling, and governance for effective collaboration in RIs. Multinational cooperation in RIs provides financial relief and access to advanced technology and promotes cutting-edge research, benefiting scientific development and socioeconomic growth. This article explores the role of SD in European-Latin American and Caribbean (EU-LAC) RI collaboration, underscoring the importance of diverse and equitable inter-RI collaboration. The study addresses challenges in EU-LAC collaboration, emphasizing the unequal development of RIs and the need for political support. Through interpretive policy studies and stakeholder interviews, the research contributes to formulating an ideal type and a feasible scenario for sustainable collaboration, discussing policy implications and highlighting the pivotal role of SD in successful international RI partnerships.