Category: networks

No Respite on Social Media After ISIS Attacks in Paris

Posted on By Wandren PD
Big Data, Network analysis, networks, Public Diplomacy, Virtual Communities

Despite increasing efforts by western governments and social media providers to counter ISIS online, ISIS  continues to produce and disseminate large quantities of ideologically inspired audio visual content and information. At this pivotal moment, the U.S. counter-messaging operation “is in disarray,” according to Will McCants, a Middle East scholar at the Brookings Institution. A recent … Read More “No Respite on Social Media After ISIS Attacks in Paris” »

Tackling ISIS messaging requires a new strategic approach

Posted on By Wandren PD
Big Data, Network analysis, networks, online

  These days, you no longer need to fly halfway across the world to join your chosen extremist cause. You can be a jihadi from behind your screen, contributing to the effort with propaganda or cyber attacks. The public profile of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ (IS) and their online supporters should disabuse any notion that … Read More “Tackling ISIS messaging requires a new strategic approach” »

Incorporating Big Data: One Giant Leap for Diplomacy

Posted on By Wandren PD
Big Data, Data mapping, Network analysis, networks

Combining big data analysis and visualizations with a nuanced understanding of context, already central to diplomacy, can create opportunities for collaboration and for pushing the boundaries of what is imagined possible within 21st century public diplomacy. One of the greatest opportunities for influence comes from the synthesis of survey data and big data with the … Read More “Incorporating Big Data: One Giant Leap for Diplomacy” »

66 Important Jihadist Twitter Accounts (part 2)

Posted on By Wandren PD
Data mapping, Dispersed Networks, Network analysis, networks, Options for Influence, Public Diplomacy

In our earlier post, together with Ali Fisher we detailed and assessed 66 accounts listed by Shumukh al-Islam jihadi Forum member Ahmad ‘Abdallah as ‘important jihadist’ members on twitter. We looked primarily at the users individually, using the data of these 66 accounts to create this infographic to give our readers an overview of these users. In this … Read More “66 Important Jihadist Twitter Accounts (part 2)” »

Social Media in Public Diplomacy

Posted on By Wandren PD
Collaborative Public Diplomacy, Cultural Relations, International Communcation, Network analysis, networks, Public Diplomacy, Virtual Communities

Two posts I have written recently with Jeanette Gaida for the IPDGC Take Five Blog: The use of Social Media in Public Diplomacy: Scanning e-diplomacy by Embassies in Washington DC Social media is one of the fastest growing tools of modern public diplomacy. The advantage of social media provides the opportunity to reach citizens of … Read More “Social Media in Public Diplomacy” »

Guest post on Guerrilla Diplomacy: Tools for a more resilient public diplomacy

Posted on By Wandren PD
Cultural Relations, Dispersed Networks, Foresight, Habits of engagement, Network analysis, networks, Public Diplomacy

I had the pleasure of presenting via videoconference to Daryl Copeland’s MA class at Ottawa University on October 10. The guest post on his blog, Guerrilla Diplomacy,  approximates the thoughts I presented. Tools for a more resilient public diplomacy With the right tools, smarter networks and collaborative strategies there is potential to deliver a more resilient … Read More “Guest post on Guerrilla Diplomacy: Tools for a more resilient public diplomacy” »

The True Measures of Success

Posted on By Wandren PD
Data mapping, Dispersed Networks, Foresight, International Communcation, networks

“The True Measures of Success” by Michael J. Mauboussin in the Harvard Business Review this month is well worth a read for many things, not least of all is an anecdote: What happened? We made a mistake that’s exceedingly common in business: We measured the wrong thing The article is available here and while it is naturally … Read More “The True Measures of Success” »

Inaugural School of International Futures

Posted on By Wandren PD
Foresight, Habits of engagement, Network analysis, networks, Options for Influence

The inaugural School of International Futures started yesterday at Wilton Park, Britain’s foremost global policy centre, on the theme of Strategic Foresight. Interest in foresight among the international policy community has grown in this period of financial and geopolitical turbulence. Foresight provides a way of apprehending and addressing uncertainties associated with demographic, environmental, economic and resource challenges, and … Read More “Inaugural School of International Futures” »

Facebook research highlights need for collaborative approach to Public Diplomacy

Posted on By Wandren PD 1 Comment on Facebook research highlights need for collaborative approach to Public Diplomacy
Data mapping, Dispersed Networks, Network analysis, networks, Options for Influence, Public Diplomacy, Virtual Communities

We’ve all heard of the idea that there are six degrees of separation between any two individuals. Now, through relationships on FaceBook researchers have produced the biggest ever study to analyse the concept. The results show a “world smaller than we thought”. The publication of this research provides important insight for strategy and measurement within … Read More “Facebook research highlights need for collaborative approach to Public Diplomacy” »

10 rules for engagement

Posted on By Wandren PD
Data mapping, Dispersed Networks, Network analysis, networks, Public Diplomacy

I wrote this article with the COO of InterMedia Susan Gigli. InterMedia has offices in London, Washington DC and after 15 years of working throughout Africa also recently opened a regional office in Nairobi. It appeared in The Channel (Association of International Broadcasters), Issue 2, 2011 Over these 15 years, the need for international broadcasters … Read More “10 rules for engagement” »