Science without borders: International collaboration for the next generation of researchers

The International Science Council and its Member, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), in partnership with Nature, have launched a six-part podcast series exploring the evolving landscape of research careers. Across the series, early- and mid-career researchers converse with senior scientists, sharing experiences of growth, collaboration, and resilience in the face of rapid change.

In the final episode, science journalist Izzie Clarke speaks with Professor Yongguan Zhu (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Vice-President for Membership of the ISC) and Dr Charah Watson (Scientific Research Council, Jamaica) about how scientists can collaborate across disciplines, sectors, and borders.

The conversation explores what “science without boundaries” truly means – from citizen science and Indigenous knowledge to the role of mentorship, communication, and persistence in building global scientific communities. Both guests share personal insights on how to create opportunities, overcome obstacles, and foster inclusive and interdisciplinary research for a sustainable future.

---

Transcript

Izzie Clarke: 00:01

Hello and welcome to this final podcast, presented in partnership with the International Science Council, with the support of the China Association for Science and Technology. I’m science journalist Izzie Clarke.

Across this series, we’ve explored how young scientists can navigate career development in an ever-changing scientific ecosystem. And, in this final episode, we’ll discuss the future of scientific collaboration.

Joining me are Professor Yongguan Zhu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He’s the Director General for the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, and also the Vice-President for Membership of the International Science Council.

Yongguan Zhu: 00:43

Hi. Hello.

Izzie Clarke: 00:45

And Dr Charah Watson, Executive Director at the Scientific Research Council in Kingston, Jamaica.

Charah Watson: 00:51

Hi, how are you?

Izzie Clarke: 00:52

Very well, thank you.

Science today is more global and interconnected than ever. So, when you hear the phrase ‘science across boundaries’, what does that mean to each of you and why does that matter?

Charah, would you like to start on that one?

Charah Watson: 01:07

Sure. So, science without boundary means science without limitations or restrictions of geographic location, of culture — of anything. Because science is about facts. Science is about discovering the facts of it all and presenting it so that it can be utilized to advance whatever it is we’re trying to advance.

It becomes extremely important that the scientific principles and scientific methods are upheld so that whatever we present can be trusted. And without barriers, it helps to improve the trust factor of the science that we are putting out.

Izzie Clarke: 01:44

Absolutely. And Yongguan, what does ‘science across boundaries’ mean to you?

Yongguan Zhu: 01:48

I think in this globalized world, science is the common language. Probably it’s the only common language that can unite the people across borders, languages and also cultural barriers. So, really something that we share together and to advance the human prosperity together in this global village.

Izzie Clarke: 02:15

And how would you say scientific research has evolved beyond academic labs and institutions and anything else similar to that more recently, Yongguan?

Yongguan Zhu: 02:28

I think that society actually needs more transformative science that can help the transition towards a more green and a healthy future. So, science is not just stay within the community of scientists. But we should translate our discoveries into solutions for real-world problems, and also to educate to the general public to improve the society as a whole, particularly in the area of sustainability science, which really involves every member of the society, regardless of your location, your wealth and health, etc.

Izzie Clarke: 03:09

Yes, we had an earlier episode where one of our guests talked about this one world, we have one home. Charah, what do you think about that?

Charah Watson: 03:18

What we have seen is with this thrust of entrepreneurship, it’s being encouraged, it’s right throughout society, what it means is that discovery and development of technologies, solutions, most of which will employ scientific principles that are not happening within laboratories, that are not happening within academic institution. And that is because we are all experiencing the world together, we are all experiencing the challenges, so therefore some of us will start thinking about solutions. And once you start thinking that way, most likely you will find science happening within community.

And here in Jamaica, in particular, we have what we call a National Innovation Awards. And most of the applications for these awards are from persons who are not connected with any kind of institution, which is demonstrating to us that persons are utilizing basic scientific principles to find answers to issues that are being faced.

Izzie Clarke: 04:19

And I suppose on the theme of that, what role do you think citizen science has to play in the future of science, as well?

Charah Watson: 04:29

A fundamental one. The average citizens cannot be excluded because one of the first basis for us is always reviewing what is happening on the ground, getting your observations. And where you’re going to get most of those from? The citizens. And I’m happy to see that when you’re talking about traditional societies, folklore practices and advancements made from those that we are seeing, it’s very important now to ensure that you include Indigenous knowledge holders, so they cannot be excluded at all.

Izzie Clarke: 05:01

Yongguan?

Yongguan Zhu: 05:03

I think by engaging the citizens will help disseminate the science. That’s the first importance. The second is, actually, by engaging the citizens also, we encourage the young people to become interested in science so we can forge our future generations of scientists. We need a continuous supply of talents. So, I think the citizen science can also play a role in that regard.

Izzie Clarke: 05:30

Yeah, absolutely.

And Charah, are there any misconceptions or challenges about cross-sector or international research that you’d actually like to challenge?

Charah Watson: 05:41

Well, most research science, any kind of exploration, will require cross-sectional approach. There’s nothing that is happening in isolation. And one of the misconceptions is that it is difficult or almost impossible to do, which it’s not. And I will dare to say that it’s what we have always been doing. But now being more intentional and more strategic, and connecting the dots from very early instead of figuring it out down the road, you’re looking at all the cross connectivity.

Communication is always a challenge, especially science communication is something that you practice and you get better at. Because even when I attend scientific conferences, a lot of it goes over my head because we speak in certain jargons and we are missing that opportunity to communicate with the whole. We need a collaborative approach in addressing the issues or challenges and see the alignment with the various sectors that might be involved.

Izzie Clarke: 06:46

Yeah, and I think it takes courage, doesn’t it, to say, actually, can you explain that? But I think when you’re collaborating with people that communication is so important.

And Yongguan, what are some of the opportunities and potential challenges, as well, that early- and mid-career researchers should be mindful of when it comes to working across academia, industry, public sectors or with other communities?

Yongguan Zhu: 07:14

I think for early-career scientists, they should be prepared to encounter difficulties. There is always difficulties but we should not be afraid of difficulty because anything we want to achieve is always try to overcome obstacles. So, don’t be afraid of difficulties, be persistent.

And another point is we should be always mindful about opportunities. Even serendipities in my own career, many serendipities actually lead to successful collaboration. So, we just have to be looking for opportunities and seize opportunities to make networks. This is very important.

Izzie Clarke: 08:01

Yeah, that’s great advice.

So, Charah, from your own experiences, what was a standout initiative that you were part of that crossed boundaries — whether that’s across sectors, disciplines or different countries? And what would you say were some of your biggest learnings from that experience?

Charah Watson: 08:19

So, at the Scientific Research Council, a lot of our work is geared to our supporting Jamaica’s agricultural industry. We have to interface with different government agencies, international partners, other international research institutions, because what you find in smaller countries like Jamaica, while we have a lot of research prospects, we don’t have the wherewithal to execute all of the different activities within our research projects.

It comes back again to ensuring that you have a very clear strategy in place in how to handle communication and interaction. And I believe we’re at a point now where we can clearly indicate and communicate with our partners. We have access to international funding. And you find that a lot of countries that are developing has that concern. While there might be access to funding, there’s a misalignment of agenda. And that comes a lot through miscommunication, not being confident enough to express what your needs are and how you might fit in, instead of just taking on and say yes.

Izzie Clarke: 09:32

Is there anything that you found, in particular, that helps you navigate those sorts of situations?

Charah Watson: 09:39

Yes. It comes to building relationships. You’re understanding where each person, each country’s coming from so that what you’re developing together, what you’re designing together, it’s more aligned and the outcomes are more in line with our overall objectives.

Izzie Clarke: 09:59

And Yongguan, for researchers that are just starting out, how can they begin to find or create those new sort of collaborative opportunities?

Yongguan Zhu: 10:10

My advice would be don’t be shy, be open-minded. And, also, we often say that opportunities are for prepared minds, but that’s not enough. Actually, we should be more outgoing to create opportunities for your career development. Look for opportunities and create opportunities for collaboration.

Charah Watson: 10:34

I totally agree with Yongguan. Opportunity favours the prepared mind and creating your own opportunities, creating your own doors, and even opening it yourself and showing others that you can walk through — and walk through with me — is important.

For me, I benefitted a lot from great mentors. And they chose me. And there must have been something about me being open, demonstrating that I don’t know most things and I want to learn more things. And the right mentors, the right individuals that can support you, will come on board.

Izzie Clarke: 11:13

And I suppose that goes back to almost what Yongguan was saying earlier, as well — just look out for those opportunities and seize them when they make themselves known.

So, looking to the future, what excites you most about where science and scientific careers are heading?

Charah Watson: 11:29

So, what excites me goes back to your very first question, which is science between disciplines, sectors and science without gender. Now, you are having more participation from all the genders and that is amazing, especially being a woman and knowing that science is more measured on its weight than on who is doing it and where it’s being done.

Izzie Clarke: 11:57

And if you could give one piece of advice to early- and mid-career researchers hoping to shape the future of science, what would it be? Charah?

Charah Watson: 12:07

Build relationships before you need them. Those are the most genuine and the most long-lasting. You need a team. So, it’s very important that you are aware of who you are, it’s essential. Then go out and build those relationships without any expectations in return, and that will support you in any career, whether it’s science, business, whatever you’re doing. Know who you are, know your why and build relationships before you need them.

Izzie Clarke: 12:36

And Yongguan?

Yongguan Zhu: 12:37

Yeah. My advice would be try to go beyond the conventional boundaries of science disciplines nowadays, because we are becoming increasingly more interdisciplinary and we should broaden our vision as much as possible. It’s a bit like climbing the mountain — the higher you get, the more comprehensive picture you will see. By seeing the big picture, you will find the more opportunities, more problems that you can address in your future works. That’s a small advice I would give. Thank you.

Izzie Clarke: 13:16

No, thank you. And thank you both for joining me today.

If you’re an early- or mid-career researcher and you want to build professional relationships across boundaries, then join the International Science Council forum for emerging scientists.

Visit the website council.science/forum to learn more. I’m Izzie Clarke, thanks for listening.

---

Disclaimer
The information, opinions and recommendations presented in our guest blogs are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the values and beliefs of the International Science Council