Research-led Education
It was a lone voice in the middle of the ocean,
but it was heard at great depth and great distance.
Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera, 1985
This research project’s unique combination of theory and practice allowed the development of a Masters-level course on ‘Strategy, Statecraft and Diplomacy for the 21st Century’. The course is relevant to advanced graduate students who want to engage in out-of-the-box thinking on how to usefully disaggregate the extremely complex policy problems the early 21st century faces, and how to develop strategies to address those problems.
The two project leaders taught two iterations of the course (in 2015 and 2016), receiving important feedback and support from many students who are now working in government agencies. Prantl delivered the third iteration of this course in July 2020, taking into account significant developments since 2019 such as the climate crisis, Australia's disastrous bushfire season, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The fourth, fifth, and sixth iterations were successfully completed in November 2021, 2022, and 2023; the seventh iteration is slated for July 2024.
“The Strategic Diplomacy course was academically and professionally enriching. The way the course linked theoretical concepts to policy ideas through the lens of complex system analysis changed the way I thought about problems in international affairs. I’ve applied this knowledge time and time again whilst working for the Australian Government, particularly in thinking about Australia’s interests in Asia, where security, economic, environmental and other factors intersect.”
– Ms. Rohana Prince, Policy Officer, DFAT (class of 2015)
“As Australia steps up its support to the Asia-Pacific region, and ‘Strategic Diplomacy’ continues to enter the policy vernacular, this course should become a staple for future problem solvers seeking to work in government. With a focus on embracing complexity, this course forces you to re-frame how we think about emergent challenges we continue to engage with – especially in the national security space.”
– Mr. Greg Ley, Australian federal government official (class of 2015)