Dr Fahim Khan

PhD Theme/Topic: Digital Diplomacy and Strategic Communication

Supervisor: 1. Dr Fahim Khan, Assistant Professor
Contact #: 03339827170
Email: sairanawaz.buic@bahria.edu.pk
CaMpus/School/Dept: BUIC/H&SS/PhD
RAC Approved Supervisor for Research Areas: RAC is yet to be conducted 
Supervisory Record:
PhD Produced: 0
PhD Enrolled: 1
MS/MPhil Produced: 01
MS/MPhil Enrolled: 07

Supervisor: 2.    Dr. Aleem Gillani, Assistant Professor 
Contact #: 03216498653
Email: aleem.buic@bahria.edu.pk
CaMpus/School/Dept: BUIC/H&SS/PhD
RAC Approved Supervisor for Research Areas: Strategic Studies, Digitalization of IR. 
Supervisory Record:
PhD Produced: 0
PhD Enrolled: 3
MS/MPhil Produced: 10
MS/MPhil Enrolled: 07

Description
Digital Diplomacy and Strategic Communication explore how states, international organizations, and non-state actors use digital platforms—such as social media, online media, and emerging technologies—to pursue foreign policy goals, shape narratives, and influence domestic and international audiences. In an era of information warfare, disinformation, and real-time communication, digital tools have become central to diplomacy, public engagement, crisis management, and soft power projection. Effective digital diplomacy enhances transparency, outreach, and influence, while also posing challenges related to cybersecurity, misinformation, and ethical communication.

Research Objectives / Deliverables:

• To examine the role of digital platforms in contemporary diplomatic practices and foreign policy communication.
• To examine the role of digital platforms in contemporary diplomatic practices and foreign policy communication.
• To assess the impact of social media, disinformation, and information warfare on international relations.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of digital diplomacy in enhancing soft power and public diplomacy.
• To develop policy-relevant recommendations for ethical, secure, and effective digital diplomatic engagement.

Research Questions:

• How has digital technology transformed traditional diplomatic practices and strategic communication?
• What tools and platforms are most influential in shaping international narratives and public opinion?
• How do states counter disinformation and information warfare in the digital domain?
• What role does digital diplomacy play in soft power projection and crisis communication?
• What challenges and ethical considerations arise in the use of digital platforms for diplomacy and strategic messaging?