Key research themes
1. How is cultural diplomacy evolving in the digital age and affecting traditional soft power frameworks?
This research area explores the transformation of cultural diplomacy through the advent of digital communication platforms, shifting relational strategies, and evolving governance models. The digital age has disrupted traditional state-centered cultural diplomacy by enabling diverse actors—ranging from online communities to cultural festivals—to engage in more complex, multipolar exchanges. Understanding these dynamics is critical for policymakers and scholars aiming to leverage cultural assets for international influence while navigating challenges such as information complexity, governance adaptation, and media literacy.
2. What roles do literary and artistic figures and institutions play in shaping national identity and international cultural diplomacy?
This theme investigates how individual literary figures, writers' unions, and artistic practices contribute to nation-building and act as cultural ambassadors in diplomatic contexts. It examines how those cultural producers translate, embody, and communicate national narratives, values, and political aspirations, influencing both domestic identity construction and foreign public perceptions. The research underlines the instrumentalization of literature and arts in diplomatic outreach and solidarity-building across geopolitical and ideological boundaries.
3. How do non-state actors and diaspora communities employ cultural diplomacy to advance political and diplomatic objectives?
This theme explores the increasing prominence of non-official actors, including diasporas, cultural festivals, and media industries, in cultural diplomacy. It emphasizes how these actors deploy culture—through festivals, cinema, heritage sites, and literary initiatives—to build international relations, influence public opinion, and supplement traditional diplomacy. The research underscores the substantive contributions of diaspora diplomacy and media-driven soft power strategies in advancing national interests and identity projection without direct state intervention.