A UK backchannel? A science diplomacy history of the British Council in the 20th Century and beyond

对20世纪世纪科学和技术感兴趣的学者和实践者提出了“科学外交”一词，以强调科学和技术参与者、利益、活动和国际关系之间的联系。然而，世纪来塑造英国科学外交（以及更广泛的文化和公共外交）的组织--英国理事会--尚未得到系统的审视。该项目旨在利用基本上未开发的档案，首次全面介绍上世纪的科学和技术举措。学生将通过探索其科学活动来改变我们对英国理事会作为一个组织的理解，同时对英国国际关系领域内科学外交的性质，影响和历史意义进行新的阐述。学生还将探讨科学外交作为国际关系的“秘密渠道”手段的可能意义。研究问题-什么是英国理事会的科学和技术活动在俄罗斯，印度和埃及从1935年到今天。它们随着时间的推移而改变吗？它们如何与组织的更广泛战略相适应？- 这些举措在哪些方面与英国的外交政策雄心产生共鸣、预测或影响？- 科学外交在多大程度上通过提供与其他国家对话的平行渠道，在塑造英国外交事务中发挥了作用？如果是这样，这种对话如何为正式的国与国外交活动提供信息？

Scholars and practitioners interested in 20th century science and technology have introduced the term "science diplomacy" to emphasise connections between S&T actors, interests, activities and international relations. Yet the organization that has forged UK science diplomacy (and cultural and public diplomacy more generally) for more than a century, the British Council, has yet to be systematically examined. This project aims to provide the first comprehensive account of its science and technology initiatives over the last century, drawing on largely untapped archives. The student will transform our understanding of the British Council as an organization by exploring its science activities, while shedding new light on the nature, implications and historical significance of science diplomacy within the realm of UK international relations. The student will also probe the possible significance of science diplomacy as a "backchannel" device for international relations. Research Questions -What were the British Council's science and technology activities in Russia, India and Egypt from 1935 to today. Did they change over time? How did they fit within the broader strategy of the organisation? -In what ways did these initiatives align resonate with, anticipate or influence British foreign policy ambitions? -To what extent did science diplomacy play a part in shaping British foreign affairs by offering a parallel channel for the dialogue with other countries? If so, how did this dialogue inform formal state-to-state diplomacy activities?