March 2026
Trends in soft power 2020-2025
This analysis compares 25 countries and explores how they use cultural, educational, and diplomatic resources to build international influence.
Soft power reports
February 2026
Measuring soft power in an age of destruction: Why trust matters, and why its character matters more
The question of trust in soft power has never been more urgent or more complex. Three leading scholars reflect on what this means today.
May 2025
Strengthening UK Soft Power: Strategic Recommendations
Backed by 20 of the UK’s most influential independent organisations, the UK Soft Power Group’s new report outlines strategic recommendations to unlock the full potential of UK soft power.
August 2024
A Cultural Relations Approach to Development: Why and how the British Council approach to development works
New report on the valuable approaches that Cultural Relations offer to delivering development programmes in ODA countries.
July 2024
Soft power at a turning point, a comparative analysis
Comparing soft power and cultural relations approaches in 18 countries and the EU.
January 2024
Eurovision 2023 research. Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision
United by music? Researching the role of Eurovision 2023 and mega-events in peace, place, shared values, cultural relations, and 'soft power'.
Read our new research report