At the Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs (IDIA) we’re always looking for ways to connect teaching and learning with professional practice and experience.

The daily challenges of diplomacy, negotiation, advocacy, lobbying, and policymaking in areas as diverse as security, trade or development can seem distant, accessible only to those already within the profession.

It is precisely this gap that IDIA’s Inside the Profession (ItP) was set up to bridge.

Inside the Profession is central to IDIA’s teaching. Its goal is clear: to connect IDIA students with experienced practitioners in international affairs, offering insights that go beyond the classroom and open doors to real-world opportunities.

Events that make up the Inside the Profession series involve a talk or other activity with a diplomat, policymaker, NGO leader, lobbyist, journalist, or community leader who shares their knowledge, experiences, and candid advice to students.

As one student put it:

“These encounters with real-life diplomats were not mere happenstance but rather carefully planned events designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice in diplomatic studies, with a special focus on the impact of digitalization on diplomacy. These events transformed classroom discussions into tangible reality, and academic pursuits into meaningful experiences.”

The series encompasses guest lectures and seminars, embassy visits, policy roundtables, and experiential learning opportunities such as the London ‘Diplomacy and Peace Walk’.

Among recent highlights were visits to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in October 2024, where students were hosted by Christopher Holtby OBE, a British diplomat, for discussions centred on the UK’s strategy the Integrated Review.

It was an opportunity for students to engage with a senior practitioner on matters of strategy and policy offering them not just an inside look at government decision-making but also some invaluable career insights.

IDIA also hosted His Excellency Antonio Patriota, the Brazilian Ambassador to the UK, in October 2024 for a talk on Brazil’s foreign policy priorities. Students also visited the Brazilian Embassy for discussions, which one student described as ‘more than just an educational outing; it was a chance to connect with professionals in the field and learn from their expertise’.

Dr Rebecca Johnson, Director of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy and Vice President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, shared her reflections on the journey ‘from activism to treaties’ in a lecture on disarmament diplomacy.

Her involvement with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, offered students an opportunity to learn directly from someone whose work has shaped international norms.

Paula Shaw from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK, spoke on environmental advocacy in the context of COP28, and Dr Sophia Close, explored feminist approaches to peacebuilding.

Forthcoming events and talks in the next few weeks include a visit to Chatham House, a class on diaspora diplomacy with Dr Doina Baltag, and a session with Adam Steinhouse, formerly of the National School of Government.

One student noted that the events ‘expanded horizons, enriched understanding, and ignited an interest for diplomacy’ while another highlighted how career advice from practitioners offered ‘practical, honest, and inspiring’ guidance for those navigating the uncertainties of postgraduate life.

We know that for postgraduate students the transition from academic life to professional life can be a daunting one. The job market in international affairs is competitive, especially in a global city such as London.

Inside the Profession gives students the chance to see, hear, and engage with those already working in the field. It shows them what diplomacy, advocacy, and policymaking look like in practice, and it helps them imagine themselves in those roles.

24-25 IDIA Inside the Profession Speakers:

• Christopher Holtby OBE, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Brazil’s Ambassador to the Court of St James
• Dr Rebecca Eleanor Johnson, Director, Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy; International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
• Paula Shaw, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK
• Dr Sophia Close, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom UK
• Andrew Hegarty, former City trade and current researcher on metropolitan innovation ecosystems
• Dr Nick Wright, Senior Research Analyst, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
• Yasmeen Safaie, Consultant, BOP Consulting
• Brian Tarran, Senior Research & Statistics Editor, British Film Institute (BFI)
• Olga De Biaggio, Principal Consultant on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Options Consultancy Services