Communicative and Scientific Dimensions of Academic Diplomacy. An Analysis of Case Studies from Bulgarian-French Research Collaboration

Abstract: This article presents the results of a theoretical and literature-based analysis aimed at constructing an explanatory framework for the phenomenon of academic diplomacy. The objective is to offer a conceptual perspective on this increasingly salient field and to delineate the term “academic diplomacy”, which remains somewhat fluid from a scholarly standpoint. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the research object, the methodological approach integrates content and comparative analysis, as well as the method of desk research. The study draws on a broad range of sources, including scientific publications, legal and regulatory texts, policy documents, programs and decisions. The analysis is grounded in documentary research and reference materials in Bulgarian, English and French. The paper identifies key characteristics of Bulgarian-French relations in the domains of higher education and science and highlights best practices in bilateral research collaboration. Furthermore, the article examines the foreign policy dimension of employing science as a means of achieving national strategic goals and exerting influence. It explores the use of scientific and educational practices as instruments of soft power, thereby testing the boundaries and potential of cultural diplomacy through this analytical lens. Keywords: academic diplomacy, research cooperation, soft power, Bulgaria, France.