Research and policy insight

Global Britain in a competitive age

What are the implications of the Integrated Review on the UK's soft power?

Next Generation Lebanon

Young people in Lebanon have their say at a crucial moment in the country’s history.

The Integrated Review and the future of UK soft power

How can soft power play a deciding role in the UK’s international smart power strategy?

Next Generation Poland

Capturing the experiences, aspirations, ambitions and values of Poland’s youth.

COVID-19 and soft power

We consider the pandemic's implications for the soft power of China, the USA and the UK.

Here, you can find our latest thinking on culture, education, language, and the UK’s international engagement, along with academic research on these topics.

Cultural relations graphic design depicting icons of the world, buildings, speech bubbles and map points

Online roundtable: New Voices on International Cultural Relations

Join us on 21 June 2021 for a roundtable discussion with new voices from research and practice, inspired by a set of essays recently published in our Cultural Relations Collection.

Cultural relations in a time of crisis

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.

A new era: towards a soft power strategy for the UK in China

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.

An image of the striking architecture of the British Council Library in New Delhi

Soft power and cultural relations in a time of crisis

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.

The power of experience and shared values

Our outgoing chief executive Sir Ciarán Devane reflects on the role of cultural relations in strengthening trust and co-operation in a changing world.

An image of the Forth Bridge, Scotland, UK

The UK is the most attractive country in the G20

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.

A close up image of a pair of hands, which are now a deep dark blue from working with natural dyes as part of the weaving process.

What role is there for cultural relations in the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030?

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?

A schoolgirl smiles as she reads a book in a classroom in Pakistan

Weathering the storm: How cultural engagement can help societies emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis

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.

British Council’s public panel series ‘Cultural relations and global Britain’

The British Council and partners recently hosted digital public panel discussions exploring the role of culture, education and the English language in the UK’s Global Britain ambitions.

Where now for international higher education?

Like many sectors, UK higher education has been hit hard by the global pandemic. Michael Peak examines the sector's longer term challenges.

Two men and a woman sitting at a table talking in South Africa

The Big Conversation

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.

The sources of soft power

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?