Science Diplomacy and Communication

I have worked on science diplomacy and science communication as well as fostering partnerships among multiple stakeholders. As a result I have written in Nature multiple commentaries as well as other journals about science and global south, ethics of science, religion and science, education and science, partnerships across disciplines. I am president of the Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab world and organized the first global conference for Diaspora networks in science 2022. I am also a speaker at the UN, World Bank, IMF and World Economic Forum.

Select Publications:

• Dajani R, Coetsee M, Al-Tabba A, Al-Hussaini M. Correction: Religion, Islam, and Compliance with COVID-19 Best Practices. J Relig Health. 2023 Mar 17:1–2. doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01769-9. Epub ahead of print. Erratum for: J Relig Health. 2022 Oct;61(5):4155-4168. PMID: 36932226; PMCID: PMC10022933.

• Dajani R, Mbarek H, Ismail SI, Mohammad A, Somai M. Overcoming Eurocentric bias makes for better science. Med. 2022 Dec 9;3(12):813-814. doi: 10.1016/j.medj.2022.11.007. PMID: 36495859.

• Dajani R. Subsidize low-income scientists' travel and fees. Nature. 2022 Sep;609(7928):676. doi: 10.1038/d41586-022-02980-6. PMID: 36127441.

• Dajani R. Exploring the epigenetics of resilience. Nat Genet. 2022 Apr;54(4):363. doi: 10.1038/s41588-022-01050-x. PMID: 35379993.

• Dajani R (2021) Science and Diplomacy: A Practical Path. Science Diplomacy, 4(4): 11–12. http://www.niscair.res.in/includes/images/sciencediplomacy/Science-Diplomacy-April-June-2021.pdf

• Dajani, R Hamadmad, D, Abudeyyah, G Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience. Publications and films Reports Anthropology of the middle east Volume 16, Issue 1 Pages: 111–120

• Dajani R. Jordan: where junior and senior scientists meet as equals. Nature. 2019 Nov;575(7784):596. doi: 10.1038/d41586-019-03663-5. PMID: 31772368.

• C. Panter-Brick, J. Kurtz, R. Dajani (2018) What strong partnerships achieve: innovations in research and practice (2018) ‘What strong partnerships achieve: innovations in research and practice’ in Humanitarian Exchange No 72 July 2018, p15-19. London: Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) Overseas Development Institute

• Dajani R Why the right questions make the biggest impact Nature Middle east July 31, 2018 doi:10.1038/nmiddleeast.2018.88

• Dajani R. Developing nations need more than just money. Nature. 2017 Oct 10;550(7675):159. doi: 10.1038/550159a. PMID: 29022939.

• Dajani R. Waste not, want not: Recycled science art. Science. 2015 Nov 27;350(6264):1043. doi: 10.1126/science.350.6264.1043-b. PMID: 26612944.

• Dajani R. Why I teach evolution to Muslim students. Nature. 2015 Apr 23;520(7548):409. doi: 10.1038/520409a. PMID: 25903591

• Dajani R: “Evolution and Islam’s Quantum Question.” Zygon® 2012 47, no. 2 (June 2012): 343–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2012.01259.x

Book chapters

• Issues in Science and Theology: Creative Pluralism? - Images and models in science and religion (Springer, 2022). edited by: Michael Fuller, Dirk Evers and Anne Runehov, Chapter 3: Science and religion complement each other, not compete with one another. By Rana Dajani.

• Divine Action and Emergence,” Abrahamic Reflections on Randomness and Providence, edited by: Kelly James Clark and Jeffrey Koperski, Palgrave, forthcoming. Chapter Divine Action and the Emergence of Four Kinds of Randomness by Robert C. Koons, Rana Dajani

• Science Museums in Transition: Unheard Voices. Eds Hooley McLaughlin and Judy Diamond. London and New York. Routledge. Edited By Hooley McLaughlin, Judy Diamond. Chapter: "Science, Islam and Critical Thinking: Lessons for Museums" By Rana Dajani .in p 19-27.

I have also written in the public sphere to reach the public audience. Select publications below:

• Doing better science by including local researchers and communities https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2024/02/doing-better-science-by-including-local-researchers-and-communities/

• Treating displaced Gazan’s Trauma will require Cultural respect https://undark.org/2024/01/25/opinion-trauma-epigenetics-faith/

• For scientists failure is a motivating force https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/02/for-scientists-failure-is-a-motivating-force/

• Why the World Urgently Needs Interdisciplinary Research and Policy Making https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/02/why-the-world-urgently-needs-interdisciplinary-research-and-policy-making/?lbsf=true&id=45676

• Making Interdisciplinary Research Actually Happen https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2021/02/making-interdisciplinary-research-actually-happen/?lbsf=true&id=45441

• We can use COVID-19 as a catalyst for grassroots change. Here's how WEF Nov 14, 2020 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/social-entrepreneurs-and-scientists-system-change/

• Dajani R “Valuing compassion why can’t we redefine success” the Fletcher forum October 2016

• http://www.fletcherforum.org/home/2016/11/4/valuing-compassion-why-cant-we-redefine-success