Diplomacy in the Age of Geopolitical Unrest: Navigating the Digital Landscape

LIVE WEBINAR

26th February

In recent years, the landscape of diplomacy has undergone significant transformations due to the pervasive influence of digital technologies. From social media platforms and artificial intelligence to smartphone applications and virtual meetings, these technologies have disrupted the conventional norms, practices, and methodologies within diplomatic circles, affecting diplomats, states, and diplomatic institutions alike. While the term 'digital diplomacy' is commonly used, there remains a scarcity of clear definitions and comprehensive analyses of its evolution.

The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy addresses this gap by examining digital diplomacy not only as a practice and a process but also as a disruptive force. Authored by leading experts in the field, this extensive volume explores how digital technologies are actively employed to achieve foreign policy objectives and how diplomats are adapting to the challenges posed by the digital age.

This handbook delves into the changing power dynamics in diplomacy, discussing the establishment of embassies in technology hubs, the struggles faced by foreign affairs departments in adjusting to digital technologies, and the strategic use of digital tools for influencing outcomes. It also tackles contemporary issues such as countering disinformation, engaging in networked warfare, managing relationships with major tech corporations, exploring the foreign policy of Silicon Valley, and navigating the complexities of hybrid and digital warfare. By presenting cases from various regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and North America, the handbook offers a global perspective on this dynamic field. Through detailed case studies and in-depth analyses, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the term 'digital diplomacy' and the nuanced ways in which diplomacy has evolved in the digital era.

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Speaker

Corneliu Bjola is Associate Professor of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Oxford and Head of the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group, as well as a Faculty Fellow at the Center on Public Diplomacy at USC and a Professorial Lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. His research and publications focus on the impact of digital technology, including Artificial Intelligence on diplomacy, with a current emphasis on public diplomacy, crisis management, international negotiations, and countering digital propaganda. He has authored or edited nine books and over 50 academic articles and chapters on various aspects of diplomacy, technology, and international relations.