Science and technology diplomacy in the European Union: A systematic literature review with a scientific branding approach

Hosseini, Seyed Javad; Bashir, Hassan

doi:10.22035/jicr.2027.3637.3848

Science and technology diplomacy in the European Union: A systematic literature review with a scientific branding approach

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scientific Research Manuscript

Authors

Seyed Javad Hosseini ¹

Hassan Bashir ²

¹ Researcher, Institute for Women and Family Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

² Professor, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Communication and Culture, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran

10.22035/jicr.2027.3637.3848

Abstract

Science and technology diplomacy has emerged as one of the prominent sources of global power and strategic instruments of soft power. Through transnational research collaboration and large-scale scientific and technological infrastructures, the European Union (EU) has sought to strengthen its identity as a knowledge-based and multilateral actor. However, despite the growing body of scholarship, limited attention has been paid to the theoretical, methodological, and substantive trends underlying European science and technology diplomacy from a branding perspective. This study systematically reviews the existing literature to identify dominant research patterns and examine how Europe has positioned itself in this field. A qualitative systematic literature review and thematic analysis were conducted on studies published between 2016 and 2025, with 34 studies selected from major academic databases. The data were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA 2024, and expert review was employed to enhance the credibility of the findings. The results show that the literature is predominantly qualitative, policy-oriented, and grounded in normative and policy frameworks. European science and technology diplomacy is primarily articulated through three dimensions: science in diplomacy, diplomacy for science, and science for diplomacy. Beyond promoting scientific cooperation, these dimensions perform important institutional and normative functions. The EU Framework Programmes also contribute to coordinating scientific cooperation and shaping Europe’s scientific identity and brand. Overall, science and technology diplomacy has emerged as a strategic infrastructure integrating knowledge, power, governance, and international positioning, while scientific branding represents a structural outcome of sustained institutional and diplomatic engagement.

Keywords

European Union

academic branding

science and technology diplomacy

Subjects

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