Dr. Edward Wastnidge is Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at the Open University, UK. His main area of research concerns the politics and international relations of the Middle East and Central Asia, with a particular focus on contemporary Iranian politics and foreign policy.
Edward’s main area of research concerns the politics and international relations of the Middle East and Central Asia, with a particular focus on contemporary Iranian politics and foreign policy. His doctoral thesis explored the role of culture in Iranian foreign policy during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, examining the development of his concept of Dialogue among Civilisations and how it was applied in Iran’s foreign relations from 1997-2005. His current research builds on themes explored in the PhD, including the nexus between ideas and foreign policy, soft power, cultural diplomacy, and the role of identity in international relations.