Public Diplomacy Research in Public Relations Review (2000–2024): A Systematic Review of 25 Years
Over the past two decades, public diplomacy (PD) has consolidated its position as a strategic field of communication and a central instrument of countries’ foreign policy, drawing increasing attention in international public relations scholarship. However, despite the growing body of literature and academic interest in these areas, systematic approaches to PD research remain limited. To address this gap, the present study examines the state of research in this field through qualitative and quantitative content analysis of all articles on PD published in Public Relations Review between 2000 and 2024 (n = 52), out of 1,991 articles published during this period. This analysis identifies the main authors and their affiliated universities, the networks they form, their objectives, research questions, hypotheses, the methodologies employed, the types of studies conducted, and the theories, findings, and conclusions presented, among other relevant aspects. Finally, the study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of PD research for the broader field of public relations and related areas.
Elgueta-Ruiz, Á., Domínguez Águila, C. L., & Bento Almeida, D. (2026). Investigação Sobre Diplomacia Pública na Public Relations Review (2000–2024): Uma Revisão Sistemática de 25 Anos. Comunicação E Sociedade, 50, e026019. https://doi.org/10.17231/comsoc.50(2026).6976