How can cultural advocacy influence global outcomes? We are very excited to be working with the Wellcome Trust, looking at cultural advocacy at global events.

We shall shortly be exploring with the British Council how evaluation can help improve engagement through cultural relations.

I am delighted that the article I co-wrote with Andrew Murray on the links between domestic and external cultural policy in the European Union has just been published by Steidl in: Innen Außen, Perspektiven einer Integrierter Kulturpolitik. See here. The English language version can be found on our Publications page as a Policy Point.

Dr Ilan Manor

Two weeks ago, ICR Research, held a panel discussion on the future of the Metaverse and its impact on international relations. Bringing together scholars from the fields of digital diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, international relations and strategic communications, the panel sought to begin a wider debate on the implications of the Metaverse on states, diplomats, and the international system. This post summarises this panel discussion. A recording may be viewed here.

Stuart MacDonald

In the 21st century, knowledge and information are central to everything, especially how we can tackle common global challenges, but the issues at the intersection of international higher education, international relations, Science/Knowledge Diplomacy and nation branding are complex.

Recognising this, ICR has been working with the Centre for Distance Education at the University of London, SOAS and the University of London Institute in Paris to explore the topic in depth in 5 events.

Stuart MacDonald

I was very pleased to be invited by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehung (ifa) to be their first English language podcaster. The podcast is here

Stuart MacDonald

It is often said that the UK higher education sector is world-leading, and a key soft power ‘asset’ for the UK, a jewel in the crown, generating enormous revenue for the economy, bringing cultural diversity and enriching the lives of students and communities. However, there are signs that the UK’s leading position will be hard to sustain as other countries increasingly see international higher education (IHE) as the key area of soft power competition in the next 10 years.

Stuart MacDonald

Shortly after the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States (US), the BBC asked how the election of the new US president would impact upon sport. At the time the US was interested in the 2024 Olympic and 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup bids. In August 2016, Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton, acknowledged that IOC members had concerns over Trump stating that “An America that turns inwards ... isn’t good for world peace, isn’t good for progress, isn’t good for all of us”.

Stuart MacDonald

The problems and opportunities facing the UK in its international relations are highlighted in this concise, focused, and timely report.

The report recommends that the Government:

Publishes a coherent, resourced ‘soft power’ strategy bringing together the UK’s tools of influence, from law and education to training missions and trade.