Introduction: Advancing a New Research Agenda on Digital Disruption in Diplomacy

Abstract

Summary This article introduces the special issue on digital disruption in diplomacy. We propose a new research agenda, advancing novel conceptualisations and empirical insights into the hybrid nature of contemporary diplomatic practices in a broad range of areas such as peace-making, inter-state signalling, domestic politics, digital communication, public diplomacy and popular culture. Emphasising the major impact of new technologies and the convergence of offline and online diplomatic space, we address the transformative influence at both the micro level of individual actors and the macro level of diplomatic processes and structures. By taking stock of the existing digital diplomacy literature and exploring emerging digital technologies, diplomatic signalling and digital disinformation, we show how new research on digital disruption in diplomacy may be advanced by focusing on agency-structure, method and data collection. Finally, we provide an overview of contributions that collectively propel the development of a new explorative research agenda on digital disruption in diplomacy.