Here, you can find our latest thinking on culture, education, language, and the UK’s international engagement, along with academic research on these topics.
A literature review and short report exploring how the digital shift is affecting international cultural relations, and where future research on this topic needs to focus.
Alistair MacDonald, Senior Policy Advisor at the British Council considers the implications of the Integrated Review for the UK’s soft power.
Capturing the experiences, aspirations, ambitions and values of Poland’s youth in a critical, eventful and challenging year.
Cultural heritage protection is a route to powerful and effective cultural relations by bringing partners together to protect, nurture, dignify and celebrate the source of identified value.
Critical to the success of the International Development strategy is for the UK to build trusted, modern partnerships that enable international cooperation and action on shared priorities.
As the UK prepares to host COP26, new research and events show how soft power can help foster dialogue and agreement on climate change.
Research exploring the role that cultural relations plays in more challenging contexts in building a resilient platform for dialogue and co-operation between nations.
An international panel event on 24 November to discuss the findings of The Big Conversation, a new research programme on shared values in cultural relations and international cooperation.
Our new report presents analysis of polling data from a survey of 37,158 young people from 36 countries to reveal how the UK and other countries rate in the eyes of the next generation.
Kate Ewart-Biggs OBE, (Interim Chief Executive) reflects on a difficult year for the British Council and the lessons for the future of cultural relations.
As it reconfigures its engagement with China, the UK has an opportunity to harness the soft power it enjoys with Chinese people. Matt Burney talks to China expert Rana Mitter.
How do leading countries soft power approaches differ and what seems to work best? This report examines the institutional landscape and global presence of different international bodies.
Insight explores how the UK and Japan’s culture sectors have collaboratively embraced technology, drawing on reflections Clare Reddington, British Council Trustee.
Our outgoing chief executive Sir Ciarán Devane reflects on the role of cultural relations in strengthening trust and co-operation in a changing world.
The UK tops the world as the most attractive country for young people across the G20. The findings of the latest research into international views of the soft power of leading nations.
The UK is one of 193 UN member states committed to achieving 17 SDGs by 2030. What role is the British Council playing in contributing to sustainable development through cultural relations?
Nations’ resilience is being tested as never before. But ‘building back better’ post-COVID-19 is about more than health and the economy. Education and culture have a huge role to play.
Like many sectors, UK higher education has been hit hard by the global pandemic. Michael Peak examines the sector's longer term challenges.
Mona Lotten, Head of Policy Insight at the British Council discusses the impact of COVID-19 on soft power relationships with Jonathan McClory, Portland.
The UK has a new government with a new mission: to promote a truly Global Britain. Soft power must play a vital role. But what are the most effective components of soft power?