The nature of modern international relations has undergone a significant change with the emergence of new actors and processes that are shaping diplomatic practices and international affairs. In this setting, international higher education has had a long history of building transnational cooperation. However, the actors engaged in international higher education and the functions they play in the present diplomatic processes are only beginning to receive scholarly attention. Knowledge Diplomacy, although a developing and often disputed term, is the best concept for comprehending the diverse functions that knowledge, research, innovation, and higher education institutions play in international relations and how international relations shape these important functions.

The project builds on the work of the University of London in facilitating effective knowledge exchange and provides an accessible and participatory environment for academics, policymakers, practitioners and students where they are able to join the exciting conversation on an emerging concept of Knowledge Diplomacy. The project establishes partnerships to investigate the linkages between knowledge, public understanding, and the execution of global policies. It highlights the importance of collaboration across borders and communities of practice and academic disciplines. The project's objectives include producing a range of academic and non-academic outputs that examine Knowledge Diplomacy and its ability to navigate the realm of policy, expertise, and impactful research.

The idea for the Knowledge Diplomacy project originated in June 2019 at the British Council’s Going Global conference in Berlin. Since then, the project went through several transitions and phases to facilitate unique access and collaboration among practitioners of diplomacy and academics across disciplines through a variety of outputs, including research, events, workshops and many more. In 2021, Phase 1 of the project explored through several online seminars the challenges that COVID-19 and climate change have exposed in the information economy and ecology. In 2022, Phase 2 expanded and located the concept in relation to cities. The project explored the roles of cities as sites of knowledge creation and dissemination, exports and imports of culture, and international efforts between stakeholders in climate change diplomacy and higher education’s response to crisis situations.

In 2023, the project initiated its Phase 3. This phase addresses the theme of ‘Facilitating Access, Participation and Exchange of Knowledge in a Fragmented World’ and implements the network of expertise, production of Knowledge Diplomacy research, and academic publishing work and its promotion among wider audiences through additional public outreach and engagement activities.

As part of the Phase 2, the project undertook an enhanced literature review that contributed to the understanding of the Knowledge Diplomacy concept. This exploration introduced Phase 3 into the Project through an inter-disciplinary enquiry that includes non-academic perspectives on the topic of Knowledge Diplomacy, and the valuable practitioner’s expertise.

Currently, the Project is developing an edited collection of chapters for a planned publication which explores the role of higher education and research in diplomacy. In addition to the planned book publication, the project has published four event reports, which are publicly available. 

Finally, the research element of the Project is informed by a series of closed workshops with contributions from academics and practitioners.

Key research questions:

• How can University of London and its partner institutions explore and contribute to the field of Knowledge Diplomacy?
• How can we comprehend the historical, current, and future contexts in which higher education institutions and academic, policymaker, and practitioner knowledge exchange operate?
• What are the effects of research, knowledge exchange, and higher education institutions on global challenges and transnational cooperation?

Overall, the main objectives of the Project’s research outputs are:

• To engage in knowledge exchange among academic and non-academic stakeholders;
• Facilitate internal learning within the University and dissemination of findings among the wider audiences interested in addressing global issues;
• Understand the past, present, and future contexts that higher education institutions and processes seeking to address global challenges operate in;
• Share empirical and innovative research addressing the dynamics between higher education institutions and relations between states and vice versa; and
• Shed light on the impact of research and higher education institutions on global challenges and cooperation between states to stakeholders in diplomacy.

The Knowledge Diplomacy project has presented a series of free online public events designed to initiate discussions on the potential of the Knowledge Diplomacy concept to address global challenges. 

In 2021 and 2022, the series explored the challenges that COVID-19 and climate change have exposed in the information economy and ecology, and analysed the role of cities as sites of knowledge creation and dissemination, exports and imports of culture, and international efforts between stakeholders in climate change diplomacy and higher education’s response to crisis situations. The online seminar series has been successful in bringing the leading stakeholders together. The seminar series has directly involved academics and practitioners from the UK, France, Germany and beyond.

In 2023, the Knowledge Diplomacy project will facilitate an in-person conference in Paris exploring the role of higher education, research, and knowledge exchange in diplomatic processes. If you are interested in attending the conference please click here to express your interest.

The Project has built firm partnerships with external collaborators that represent cultural diplomacy entities, specifically the British Council and Goethe Institut. The expertise, networks and knowledge provided by these collaborators aided the project tremendously in positioning itself as a one-of-a-kind collaboration among professionals working in higher academic institutions, the cultural sector, non-governmental sector, diplomacy and international organisations across Europe. 

The public engagement events involved high level representatives from the UCL Medical School, SOAS, British Council France, School of Advanced Study, and University of London; and panellists represented notable institutions including the UK Health Security Agency, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Greater London Authority, UK Science Museum Group, Council of Paris, French Embassy in the UK, Council of Europe, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, International Science Council, King’s College London, Thomas Jefferson University, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of California – Berkley, Floating University Berlin and other institutions.

The Knowledge Diplomacy project is supported by the Convocation Trust, University of London Knowledge Exchange Fund, British Council in France, Goethe Institut London, and Centre for Online and Distance Education.

For any enquiries about the project, potential partnerships and collaboration, please contact:

Dr Lilija Alijeva
Knowledge Diplomacy Project Manager
University of London Institute in Paris
l.alijeva@ulip.lon.ac.uk