Owls of Peace promotes nature conservation through a variety of complementary approaches. One of the core pillars of our initiative is science, firmly aligned with the principles of Scientific Diplomacy—using (cross-border) scientific collaboration as a tool to foster dialogue, trust, and mutual understanding.

Our scientific efforts focus on facilitating high-quality, collaborative research on barn owls in natural and agricultural landscapes. Key activities include:

• Standardized Field Equipment. To ensure consistency in data collection and enable robust comparative studies across regions, we will design and distribute standardized, small-scale equipment. Clear schedules and step-by-step procedures will be provided to support researchers in applying best practices in the field.
• Training of personnel. We plan to conduct field visits both in the participants’ home countries and in Switzerland to ensure consistency and high quality in data collection.
• Collaborative Publishing. We will actively support international research groups—particularly those in economically disadvantaged regions—in publishing their findings. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative authorship to foster inclusivity, increase visibility, and encourage knowledge sharing across borders. Publishing is often one of the most challenging aspects of data valorisation in research and beyond, particularly for early-career scientists and those with limited institutional support. Given our academic background and extensive scientific output, we are well-equipped to mentor and assist in this process. Beyond demonstrating the impact of our initiative, published research is a powerful source of pride and motivation for local scientists, novices and communities.

By grounding our mission in rigorous scientific practice and open, inclusive collaboration, Owls for Peace seeks to build a global community where biodiversity conservation and dialogue go hand in hand. These efforts will be carried out in close partnership with a wide range of academic, civil and governmental societies. By today, key academic collaborators include the University of Lausanne, Tel Aviv University, Mohammed V University, University of Applied Sciences in Athens, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt; agricultural extension services in countries like Israel and Cyprus; local governments, including those in Greece; and the International Ornithological Union (IOU), and the Swiss Ornithological Station.