On September 4, 2025, the Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) organized the 78th lecture of the Fudan-LSE Lecture Series. Professor Yueyue Zhang from University of Kent delivered a lecture on the theme of A New Odyssey for Global Science Governance: Introducing the O.D.E.SS.I. Initiative. The session was chaired by Dean Yijia Jing of IGPP. Professor Li Tang and Professor Jiejin Zhu from Fudan University served as discussants.

Professor Yueyue Zhang is Professor of Sociology and the Founding Director of the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice (GSEJ) at the University of Kent. An internationally recognised expert in the transnational governance of scientific risk, she specialises in emerging life sciences that impact both human and environmental futures. She has initiated several landmark programmes, including the founding of O.D.E.SS.I., a global ‘odyssey’ for life sciences governance that brings together public engagement and science diplomacy.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Zhang addressed the practical challenges facing global science governance, noting that emerging technologies provide new tools to tackle global issues like climate change and energy, while simultaneously introducing uncertainties and testing the boundaries of governance. She emphasized two major shifts in contemporary science communication and governance: first, the rise of “Science at Large,” where the scope and impact of scientific activity extend beyond traditional research and regulatory frameworks, increasing tensions between decision-making and action spaces; second, an “intergenerational shift,” where different groups exhibit varying value priorities, necessitating institutional designs that accommodate diverse lifestyles and ways of thinking.

Next, Professor Zhang provided an introduction to her “O.D.E.SS.I.” initiative, which is guided by the principles of Open, Deliberative, Enabling, Sensible & Sensitive, and Innovative. The initiative aims to create an operational framework for public engagement and policy communication in global life sciences governance. She emphasized that the essence of science governance lies not in rigidly establishing order, but in repairing and reconstructing social relationships to allow the coexistence of diverse values and lifestyles. Drawing on her experience participating in G20 meetings, Professor Zhang highlighted that the initiative seeks to combine public engagement with science diplomacy, opening new pathways for global science governance and promoting a more ethical and globally responsible scientific future.

In the commentary session, Professor Tang remarked that this presentation not only addressed the question of “why govern” but also offered insightful answers to “how to govern.” Professor Zhu noted that the O.D.E.SS.I. initiative provides new ideas for international cooperation in science governance, while also highlighting the need to further explore how these “soft” principles can be translated into “hard” rules.

During the Q&A session, faculty and students discussed the effectiveness and inclusiveness of public participation. Professor Zhang responded that “epistemic justice” lies in recognizing the unique contributions of diverse experiences and values, emphasizing that the key is to foster conditions for understanding differences.

After the lecture, Professor Jing presented a commemorative gift to Professor Zhang. The event concluded with a group photo of the faculty and students.