The International Affairs Academy of the Future
We bring together the world’s foremost scholars and practitioners to equip leaders with the insight, expertise, and network needed to shape 21st century international affairs.
Where experience fosters leadership
María Espinosa, President of the UN General Assembly (2018-19) at the 2025 ODA Summer Academy
The Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy is a world-leading Centre of Excellence dedicated to international politics and diplomacy. Uniquely based in both Oxford and Cambridge, we convene thought leaders on issues of the highest importance in global affairs to share leading-edge insight, expertise, and experience with diplomats and internationally focused professionals.
Our Flagship programme is the annual ODA Summer Academy. The 2026 Summer Academy will be held at July 26-31 at Rhodes House, Oxford. The programme brings early- and mid-career professionals working in international affairs to develop leadership abilities and political analysis skills from the world’s leading scholars and veteran practitioners.
2026 Summer Academy
Rhodes House, Oxford
July 26-31, 2026
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The 2025 Summer Academy brought fifteen leaders from fourteen countries together at Trinity Hall, Cambridge for an intensive five-day programme led by twenty of the world’s top diplomats, politicians, academics, and journalists.
Speakers included:Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir (2017-24)
President of the UN General Assembly, María Espinosa (2018-19)
Swedish Foreign Minister, Ann Linde (2019-22)
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton (2009-14)
Head of the UK Diplomatic Service, Lord Simon McDonald (2015-20)
British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Laurie Bristow (2016-20)
British Ambassador to Cuba, Dr Antony Stokes(2016-22)
Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Bernardino León Gross (2004-08)
Author of ‘Peacemaker’, Dr Thant Myint-U
High Commissioner of South Africa to the UK, H.E. Jeremiah Mamabolo
High Commissioner of Zambia to the UK, H.E. Macenje Mazoka
Controller of BBC World Service Mary Hockaday (2014-21)
Former Diplomatic Editor of The Times, Michael Binyon
UN Expert on AI and Governance, Daanish Masood Alavi
Geopolitical Policy Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute, Ruby Osman
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Given the highly competitive nature of the programme and limited number of places, we encourage candidates to apply early.
Applications on considered on a rolling basis.
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15 December, 2025
Application Portal Opens1 February, 2026
Admissions Interviews Begin1 March, 2026
Application Portal Closes15 March, 2026
Final Admissions Offers Made to Successful Applicants -
We invite early- to mid-career leaders to apply to the Summer Academy programme.
While focused on international affairs and diplomacy broadly, participants come from a wide array of sectors and organisations including:
Banking and finance
Law and jurisprudence
Security and defence
Development and humanitarian assistance
International organisations
International civil society
Foreign ministries
Sustainable agriculture
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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 participants as they excel in their careers.
Fellows undertake four-hours of intensive instruction per day in addition to talks by distinguished practitioners and academics over lunch and dinner . In addition, Fellows will engage in discussion sessions, workshops, and events.
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Dr Tristen Naylor is a Non-Resident Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Formerly, he served as the Assistant Professor of International Relations and History at the University of Cambridge. Dr Naylor also 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 2026 Summer Academy will be held at Rhodes House, Oxford, July 26-31.
Please see below for an indicative schedule. -
The 2026 Summer Academy will be hosted at Rhodes House, Oxford.
Accommodation for participants will also be made available at Rhodes House.
Additional events and sessions will be held throughout Oxford.
Lord Simon McDonald, Sir Laurie Bristow, and Mary Hockaday at the 2025 ODA Summer Academy
Mark B.
Global Head of Public Affairs
Syngenta Group
‘From the calibre of the organisers and the outline programme I had high expectations for the ODA. These expectations were blown away and exceeded. Exceptional speakers along with a highly knowledgeable, engaged and friendly cohort of attendees drawn from public and private diplomacy, plus the stunning location made the event truly memorable. If you're fortunate enough to be selected to attend this programme please join, it's a no regret move - whatever your career stage you'll learn from the best in the business and develop your personal network.'
Admissions
The Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy welcomes a diverse and ambitious cohort each year — corporate professionals, policymakers, and diplomats who bring depth of experience and a shared commitment to global affairs. Admission is selective, and applications are reviewed holistically to identify candidates who will both benefit from and contribute meaningfully to the Academy’s unique environment of dialogue and inquiry.
Stage One: Nominations (10 November 2025– 31 December 2025)
During this period, nominations are sought from leaders in the public and private sector, the Academy’s Global Advisory Board, alumni network, and partner institutions. Nominees receive a personal invitation to apply and are prioritised during the first round of reviews.
Stage Two: General Admissions (15 December 2025 – 1 March 2026)
From 15 December, the application portal opens to all eligible candidates. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and early submission is strongly encouraged, as places are limited. Interested professionals may also register their interest before 15 December 2025 to be notified once general admissions open.
Summer Academy Class of 2025
Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland (2017-24)
Dr Antony Stokes OBE, former British Ambassador to Cuba, delivers his leadership masterclass at the ODA Summer Academy
María Espinosa, former UN General Assembly President (2018-19) and former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister (2017-18) talks with ODA Participants during a coffee break
Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland (2017-24) delivers her masterclass on crisis management
Sir Laurie Bristow, former British Ambassador to Russia (2016-20) and Afghanistan (2021) chats with ODA participants over dinner
Baroness Catherine Ashton, Bernardino Léon Gross, and Dr Antony Stokes with ODA Participants
Informal dinner at King's College, Cambridge
Mary Hockaday, Controller of the BBC World Service (2014-21) and Michael Binyon, former Diplomatic Editor of The Times, on managing press and media relations
Dr Thant Myint-U speaks after dinner about his critically acclaimed book on UN Secretary General U-Thant, 'Peacemaker' (2025)
Ann Linde, Swedish Foreign Minister (2019-22) with ODA participants after delivering her masterclass on NATO negotiations
South African High Commissioner Jeremiah Mamabolo answers questions on managing overseas missions
Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU Foreign Policy and Security Chief (2009-14) delivers her Negotiation Masterclass
Daanish Alavi, United Nations expert on AI and governance, on the future of technology in international politics with Manas Chawla, ODA Director and CEO of London Politica
Dinner at Trinity College with Ann Linde, Swedish Foreign Minister (2019-22) and Dr Thant Myint-U with ODA Participants
Punting on The River Cam during an afternoon break
Ruby Osman, Geopolitical Policy Advisor at Tony Blair Institute, answers questions about Chinese foreign policy
Morning seminar on global governance and multilateral reform
The ODA Summer Academy Class of 2025 at Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Summer Academy Seminar
A NATO representative discussing international security at the Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Summer Academy
ODA Directors, Dr Tristen Naylor Manas Chawla, with Dr Antony Stokes
ODA Summer Academy Diplomatic Dinner Reception
Dr Tristen Naylor launches the ODA 2025 Summer Academy
Diplomatic Negotiation Training Exercise
Mary Hockaday, former Controller of the BBC World Service, with Sir Laurie Bristow, former UK Ambassador to Russia and Afghanistan
Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Global Governance Dinner
Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Negotiation Training
Rotary Peace Scholar Elise Nassif and Dr Antony Stokes
Dr Tristen Naylor, ODA Director, and Bernardino Lêon Gross, Former UN Special Representative and Spanish Secretary of State
María Espinosa, former UN General Assembly President (2018-19) answers questions on UN reform
Lord Simon McDonald, Head of the British Diplomatic Service (2015-20), chats with ODA Participants over dinner
Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Communications Training
Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy Executive International Politics Training
Global Advisory Board
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Baroness Catherine Ashton
EU Foreign Minister (2009-14)
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Amr Moussa
Secretary-General of the Arab League (2001-2011)
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Ann Linde
Foreign Minister of Sweden (2019-2022)
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Thant Myint-U
Author of ‘Peacemaker’ and Honourary Fellow, Trinity College
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Kateryna Yushchenko
First Lady of Ukraine (2005-10)
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George Papandreou
Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011)
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Danilo Turk
President of Club de Madrid, President of Slovenia (2007-2012)
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Boris Tadic
President of Serbia (2004-2012)
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Mary Hockaday
Controller of BBC World Service (2014-2021)
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Egils Levits
President of Latvia (2019-2023)
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Bernardino Léon Gross
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (2014-2015)
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Michael Binyon
Foreign Correspondent for the Times (1972-2009)
Christoffer W.
Swedish Diplomat
‘Participating in the Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy was a truly enriching experience, marked by insightful presentations, stimulating encounters, and timely, thought-provoking discussions. Beyond the privilege of engaging with high-level speakers, one of the greatest highlights was connecting with fellow participants from around the world — a vibrant network that remains active and deeply valued.’
Jonathan W.
Commerzbank AG
‘The Oxbridge Academy helped me understand geopolitical developments and risks, and to better comprehend political decision-making processes through conversations with high-level representatives from politics, public administration, academia, and non-governmental organizations. This benefits me in developing perspective in my professional work.’
Undine A.
Economist
‘The Summer Academy was a unique opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts about the realities of modern diplomacy and beyond. The diverse cohort created an inspiring environment for meaningful conversations beyond the classroom and lasting global connections.’
