Policy Advocacy

→ Bringing students to UN policy meetings to discuss synthetic biology

🏆 Outcome: Launched program, attended 4 policy meetings

Article 1 , Article 2

• Client/Team: iGEM Foundation, → iGEM Community


• Timeline: 2016 to 2019 (4 months per cycle)


• Role: Program Coordinator + Head of Delegation | Research, Training, Management


• Tools: Google Suite

📐 Development process

🚩 Challenge

Synthetic biology is a constantly evolving discipline. Policymakers face the difficult challenge of drafting regulations that ensure its responsible use without hindering technological progress.
The After iGEM Delegate Program aimed to bridge the gap between scientists and regulators by empowering students to engage with policymakers, contribute their perspectives, and advocate for informed legislation.

• 💡Concept
  Connect young scientists with policymakers
• 🎯Goal
  Empower students to advocate for responsible policies Foster collaboration between science and diplomacy
• ⚠️ Considerations
  Easily communicate scientific research, Ensure students are prepared to engage in policy, Navigate complex international regulatory frameworks
• ✅ Solution
  A structured program providing policy training and opportunities for students to present their insights at high-level meetings

I led this project from concept to execution, coordinating logistics, preparing delegates for high-level discussions, and ensuring their contributions were impactful. Through this initiative, we empowered young scientists to participate in United Nations meetings, fostering meaningful dialogue to help shape the future of synthetic biology governance.

iGEM Delegates outside the United Nations in Geneva

🗓️ Program

For each event, I immersed myself in protocols to ensure our delegates would be well-prepared to participate. I launched global calls for applications, conducted interviews, and carefully selected students who aligned with our vision.

Once the team was assembled, I organized remote training sessions with community experts to equip them with the knowledge and skills they needed to navigate diplomatic discussion. On the logistical side, I managed a budget of approximately $15,000 to oversee travel arrangements and accommodations to give our delegates the best possible experience.

Each event required around four months of preparation, following a structured process that was iterated over time. With each cycle, improvements such as additional training sessions and expert consultations were incorporated to better support our participants.

• 🌍 Strategic Onboarding
  Global call for applications followed by virtual interviews. Selected candidates joined remote training sessions, including delegation calls and expert-led workshops.
• ✈️ Logistical Planning
  Manage budget of ~$15,000 per event Arrange travel needs for participants
• 🔄 Continuous Improvement
  Iterations on training materials and general logistics

Delegates posing with country's flags

🏛 Impact

The Delegate Program brought together 17 iGEM students and alumni to attend 4 major international policy meetings, ensuring regional representation and gender parity. Delegates engaged in high-level discussions at events like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), tackling issues such as biosafety, biosecurity, and biodiversity. I supported participants in navigating complex policy spaces and choosing sessions aligned with their goals. I also represented iGEM as a speaker at the 2018 BWC Regional Workshop in Mexico City, advocating for responsible synthetic biology regulation.

• 📜 Events attended
• Head of Delegation , Global Festival of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Bonn, Germany · May 2019
• Head of Delegation , Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, COP14), Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt · November 2018
• Speaker , Regional Workshop on Science and Technology Developments Relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico City, Mexico · April 2018
• Delegation Coordinator , Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Geneva, Switzerland · December 2017
• Delegation Coordinator , Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, COP13), Cancun, Mexico · November 2016

The program's impact extends far beyond the initial experience. Delegates have gone on to represent their countries, speak at international policy events, and pursue careers at the intersection of science and governance.

Many now hold roles in international regulatory bodies, shaping policies for synthetic biology. Others remain active in the iGEM community, leading efforts in safety, security, and responsible innovation.

• 📰 Testimonials
• "The Delegate Program was pivotal in opening that door for me, allowing me to understand how global policy works."
  , Aiswarya Prasad, COP 14
• "I think it is very important for scientists to get involved in policy making, because who is going to listen to us if we are not there talking?"
  , Janina Lüders, COP 14
• "My experience at the 2017 Biological Weapons Convention altered the entire course of my academic and professional life."
  , Chris Isaac, BWC 2017

Delegates at the Global Festival of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals

🌟 Results

I successfully coordinated the After iGEM Delegate Program, bringing young scientists to the global policy stage. Over several years, I built the foundation for a structured framework to select and train participants, ensuring they were prepared to engage in high-level discussions.

The program included a comprehensive training curriculum with sessions led by experts from the iGEM community, along with a smooth logistics process that supported international delegates attending multiple global events. I also developed clear documentation to guide future program iterations and scale its impact.

Delegates at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The Delegate Program lives on as the iGEM Community, continuing to play a key role in shaping the future of synthetic biology.

This experience taught me that effective policy advocacy goes beyond understanding science, it's about bridging perspectives and finding common ground. While the journey had its challenges, it was a privilege to support brilliant scientists during a pivotal time in their careers, and I’m proud of the impact we made together.

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