People

Dr. Marga Gual Soler is a Spanish science diplomat, researcher and educator dedicated to bridging the worlds of science, technology, and global policy. She currently serves as the Head of Science Diplomacy Capacity Building at the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), where she leads initiatives to train global leaders in anticipating and addressing future challenges in a rapidly advancing scientific landscape.

Previously Dr. Gual Soler was a faculty member at Arizona State University and a Senior Project Director at the AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy, where she pioneered education and capacity-building in science diplomacy worldwide and facilitating scientific cooperation between nations facing diplomatic tensions, such as rebuilding research ties between the United States and Cuba after their 2015 diplomatic normalization.

Originally trained as a molecular biologist, she transitioned into the world of multilateral diplomacy following her PhD, contributing to elevate the role of science at the United Nations in the negotiations towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Dr. Gual Soler has been instrumental in shaping the EU’s science diplomacy strategy since 2016. In 2020 was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum for her pioneering role in shaping the field of science diplomacy. Her proudest achievement was to participate in the largest-ever women in STEM expedition to Antarctica.

Learn more about her journey in her TEDx talk at the Geneva Graduate Institute https://tedxgvagrad.com/marga-gual-soler