The ICR Research Network
The ICR Network members are leading experts and practitioners in the field of international relations. We are committed to diversity of thought and perspectives, so the network is truly global, with members from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
The academic members of the network bring a truly interdisciplinary approach to our work, with expertise in International Cultural Relations, Data Analytics, Research Methods., Advocacy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Digital Influence, International Development, Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Cultural Relations, Cultural Policy, Education, Global Health, Climate Change, Digital Policy and Ethics, The network includes scholars who are recognised as leading experts in their fields, and younger researchers developing their research interests.
The practitioners in the network occupy (or have occupied) senior positions in Diplomacy, Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Cultural Relations, and Public Policy (mostly Culture and Education). They have advised Governments, developed and implemented policies, strategies and programmes in a wide range of global contexts.
We aim to bridge between academic expertise, policy and practice. Many academics in the network have extensive experience of advising Governments or multilateral organisations or serving on public bodies. Many of the practitioner members of the network have commissioned or conducted research or written for publication.
We believe that this combination of global perspectives, interdisciplinary expertise, and practical experience makes ICR Research uniquely able to meet clients’ needs.
Dr Lilija Alijeva Researcher and Consultant at the University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP) and an Associate Editor at the International Journal of Human Rights. Her research focuses primarily on post-Soviet states
Dr Kadir Jun Ayhan Assistant Professor of International Relations at Ewha Womans University Graduate School of International Studies (South Korea)
Jacqui Bassett MSc, FRSA Independent consultant, advising on international engagement strategies, international development and programme innovation
Professor Jo Beall FAcSS FRSA Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Distinguished Policy Fellow in LSE Cities, and former Director of Education and Cultural Engagement at the British Council
Marte Bernaerts Marte is a young researcher who recently graduated from the MSc Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Michael Bird OBE Recently left the British Council after 35 years working on cultural relations across Europe, most recently as Director Russia and Cultural Counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow
Professor Corneliu Bjola Associate Professor in Diplomatic Studies at the University of Oxford and Head of the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group
Dr Martin D. Brown Assistant Professor of International History at Richmond, the American International University in London. Specialist in Eastern Europe
Professor Caitlin Byrne Pro Vice Chancellor (Business), Griffith University, Australia, and Faculty Fellow of the University of Southern California's Centre for Public Diplomacy (CPD)
Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou Expert in Olympic Studies and her work on Olympism and Olympic values has been widely published and cited
Professor Nicholas Cull Professor of Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California, USA
Dr Charles Ebikeme Charles is a freelance consultant, visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science as well as visiting fellow at United Nations University International Institute for Global Health.
John Edward John is the Head of Operations of the Scottish Council on Global Affairs.
Dr Carla Figueira Academic and consultant in the field of international cultural relations and cultural and linguistic policies
Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco Researcher and consultant working in the fields of cultural and creative industries and international cultural relations
José Gigante Sports consultant and expert in sports diplomacy, who has worked with many international organisations
Dr Tim Gore OBE Chief Executive Officer of the University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP)
Professor Liz Grant MA PhD, FRSE, FRCPE, MFPH Assistant Principal, Professor of Global Health and Development and Director of the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Natalia Grincheva Internationally recognised expert in innovative forms and global trends in contemporary museology, digital diplomacy and international cultural relations
Toyah Horman Cultural heritage and museum professional currently working for the Australian Museum and Galleries Association
Mike Houlihan Founding Director General of Japan House London, and museum director who has worked in a diverse range of cross-cultural settings and with collections of national and international significance.
Dr Rowan Jackson University Teacher in Environmental Sustainability and the Director of the Environmental Sustainability MSc programme at the University of Edinburgh.
Professor Grant Jarvie Chair and Director of the Academy of Sport (AoS) at the University of Edinburgh
David Keech FRSA Managing Director Keechdesign UK Ltd. a design and communications agency based in London. Keechdesign supports global brands and has an international client base with offices in both London and Tokyo.
HwaJung Kim HwaJung Kim is a Research Professor at the Institute for International Area Studies, Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University, South Korea.
Dr Dimitra Kizlari Expert in cultural policy, international cultural relations, specialising in heritage
Dr. Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff Historian, journalist, and consultant working at the intersection of global sport and diplomacy
Dr Hasmik Kyureghyan is a seasoned professional in education. Her experience includes teaching, education project management, research, and consulting.
Dr Alessandro Lamonica Lecturer in Cultural Diplomacy and a Horizon 2020 post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Siena, Italy
Graham Leicester Director of the International Futures Forum. He previously served as a diplomat in HM Diplomatic Service, specialising in China and the EU
Dr Clare Llewellyn Lecturer in Governance, Data and Technology at the School of Social and Political Science and Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh
Dr Omar Loera Lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico
Stuart MacDonald, FRSA Founding Director of ICR Research Ltd. He is an experienced policymaker and consultant, with experience of bridging between theory and practice
Dr Ilan Manor Lecturer at the Department of Communications at Ben Gurion University of the Negev and a member of Oxford University’s Digital Diplomacy Research Group
Sharon Memis, FRSA Expert in international cultural relations, with experience of leadership in a range of high profile roles
Dr Andrew Murray Teaches international relations at the University of Siena and is a former Director of the Global Office of EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture)
Dr Stuart Murray Leading expert and consultant on sports diplomacy, international relations and diplomacy, at Bond University, Australia
Robert Ness Bob has spent the past four decades at the coalface of cultural relations, grappling with the question of what exactly he was trying to achieve and how he would know if his efforts were successful.
Ojoma Ochai Managing Partner, Creative Economy Practice at CC Hub - which enables business models and approaches in technology and creativity on the African continent
Dr Hendrik W. Ohnesorge Managing Director of the Center for Global Studies (CGS) and postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Chair in International Relations at the University of Bonn
Andy Paice Consultant, specialising in climate assemblies, co-intelligence, digital democracy, and sub-national government
Dr Eva Polonska-Kimunguyi Research Fellow, based at the Media and Communications Department, London School of Economics and Political Science
Gavin Price Consultant, specialising in sports and sub-national diplomacy. He has extensive international experience in trade, commerce, and government
Clarissa Ricci Clarissa is adjunct professor at the University of Bologna. Her research focuses on the history of exhibitions, biennials, fairs, and art market.
Shaun Riordan Director of the Chair for Diplomacy and Cyberspace at the European Institute of Diplomacy and Cyberspace and a Research Fellow of the Charhar Institute
Dr J. Simon Rofe Reader in Diplomatic and International Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS), Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy
Dr Julia Sattler Experienced practitioner, researcher and consultant in international cultural relations and has held senior leadership positions with the Goethe-Institut in Ethiopia and Syria
Dr Efe Sevin Assistant professor of public relations at the Department of Mass Communication at Towson University (USA). He is an expert on place branding and public diplomacy campaigns.
Paul Smith OBE 45 years of professional experience in international cultural relations and educational development and in university teaching and research across five continents
Dr William C. Smith William is a Senior Lecturer in Education and International Development and current Director of Internationalisation at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.
Domenico Valenza Policy analyst in EU and Eastern Europe affairs and a practitioner of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations
Dr Eriks Varpahovskis Postdoctoral researcher at the School of International Regional Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (Russia)
Dr Jonathan Vickery Reader in Cultural Policy Studies, and Director of the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies, University of Warwick, UK
Dr Erik Vlaeminck Researcher with specialist expertise in strategic communication, international cultural relations and public diplomacy with a specific focus on Russia, Eurasia, and China
Professor Tim Winter Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Ziling Yang Ziling Yang is a young researcher and Ph.D. candidate at the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies at the University of Warwick, UK.