Cultivating citizen diplomats: information diplomacy as pedagogy in contested information environments

What is it about?

This study introduces Information Diplomacy as Pedagogy, a teaching approach designed to equip students to counter sharp power—manipulative strategies that erode trust and distort public discourse. The model integrates information literacy, public diplomacy principles, and civic engagement to prepare learners as ethical communicators in contested information environments. Through applied projects—such as improving health messaging for non-native speakers in Finland and co-developing social listening tools with the U.S. Department of State—students practiced evaluating authority, tracing information value, and building inclusive, trust-centered communication. By linking conceptual learning with real-world application, the pedagogy advances students’ ability to foster democratic resilience and strengthen information ecosystems.

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