Episode 3: Birgitta Niklasson on the Gendered Networking of Diplomats

In our third episode, Birgitta Niklasson discusses her article "The Gendered Networking of Diplomats", part of our latest Special Issue on Ministries of Foreign of Affairs. In a dynamic conversation with our host Tingting Yang, she explores the gendered aspects of diplomacy, drawing on both gender theories and interviews conducted with Swedish diplomats. Gender permeates all spheres of society, not least the profession of diplomacy. Diplomats, while managing interpersonal relations, are also constantly navigating gender norms in their work. As more and more women enter this traditionally male-dominated profession, it becomes increasingly important to understand how women conduct diplomacy. Focusing on the gendered nature of a core element of diplomacy: networking, Birgitta explains the challenges female diplomats face as well as the opportunities their gender opens up. Being a public administration expert, she also offers valuable insights into the study of the foreign ministry as a crucial diplomatic institution, and concludingly, gives advice on how it can best manage and benefit from diplomats' gendered networking approaches. This is a podcast created by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy: www.haguejournalofdiplomacy.org