We invite the rising stars in the diplomatic field to apply to become Fellows as part of the 2025 Diplomatic Academy. While immersed in Oxford and Cambridge, Fellows will gain the insights and expertise to take their careers to the next level, acquiring the tools and network necessary for effective leadership on the world’s stage. 

We are now inviting applications from select diplomatic services to nominate candidates to join the 2025 Academy cohort.

Our curriculum is crafted by leading scholars and veteran diplomats, ensuring a balanced approach that covers theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This structure not only grounds participants in the theoretical underpinnings of international relations, but also equips them with practical skills essential for navigating the complex realities of global diplomacy. It is this blend of academic depth and practical application that supports Fellows as they excel in their careers.

Fellows undertake four-hours of intensive instruction per day. In addition, Fellows engage in daily discussion sessions, workshops, and events uniquely held at Oxford and Cambridge. The capstone event of the Academy is a full-day simulation.

Dr Tristen Naylor is formerly the Assistant Professor of International Relations and History at the University of Cambridge. Dr Naylor previously served as the Lecturer in Diplomatic Studies at the University of Oxford and held academic posts at the London School of Economics, NYU Abu Dhabi and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. Prior to his academic career, Dr Naylor was a Foreign Policy Advisor to the Government of Canada. He is the author of dozens of publications, a regular commentator on international media, and recipient of the Canadian Public Service Award of Excellence. 

Manas Chawla is the Chief Executive Officer of London Politica, the world’s largest political risk advisory for social impact. He has specialist expertise in AI policy, corporate diplomacy, and crisis management; and has advised the United Nations, Red Cross, and numerous C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies. His PhD research at the LSE explores the geopolitics of emerging technology and AI. Manas is a regular commentator for international news programmes including BBC, CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg.

The inaugral cohort will take place over two weeks from the 30th June to 14th July 2025

The inaugural cohort of the Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy will take place at Hertford College, Oxford and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Hertford is one of the larger Oxford colleges, with over 400 undergraduates and nearly 200 postgraduates. First founded as Hart Hall in 1282, and then refounded as Hertford College in 1874, the main site lies in the heart of Oxford, nearby the Radcliffe Camera. The college is governed by a body of 38 Fellows, and has a community of 7,000 alumni members.

Trinity Hall is the fifth oldest College in the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1350 by Bishop Bateman, originally for the study of canon and civil law. The College consists of undergraduates and postgraduates across a range of subjects, Fellows, staff and alumni worldwide. It is located in central Cambridge by the river.