Knowledge Diplomacy: Research, Innovation and Higher Education Institutions in International Relations

Led by the University of London Institute in Paris' CEO, Tim Gore, the Knowledge Diplomacy project is developing multifaceted work on the impact of scholarly research, innovation and international higher education institutions on inter-state cooperation, and vice-versa. A collaborative venture, the initiative brings together various University of London federation members, the Centre for Online and Distance Education, the British Council, Goethe Institut, and ICR Research. 

Tim Gore, whose main area of research is strategic university management, is involved in numerous cross-border aspects of higher education and is the Knowledge Diplomacy programme lead. Lilija Alijeva is Project Manager, providing research, management, administrative, and advisory support. Her research interests primarily focus on International Relations theories, specifically theories of norm socialisation among state, non-state stakeholders and international organisations. Alexander Lake, Project Officer at ULIP, is supporting the project’s activities. He is currently a PhD candidate at Sorbonne University, where his research focuses on the soft power potential of the British higher education system. 

The Knowledge Diplomacy project team has successfully conducted two annual seminar series, which explored the roles of universities in addressing pandemics, climate change, city diplomacy, cultural relations, knowledge exchange, and crises. They are currently working with a number of authors on a planned book publication titled Knowledge Diplomacy: Developments and Future Trends.