Nicholas J. Cull

Nicholas J. Cull is a Professor of Communication at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He serves as a Global Communication Policy Fellow at the Center for Communication Leadership and Policy and is affiliated with the Center on Public Diplomacy. His expertise spans public diplomacy, the historical role of mass communication in foreign policy, and cultural diplomacy.

Education:

• BA (International History and Politics) and PhD (History) from the University of Leeds
• Harkness Fellow at Princeton University

Research Interests: Dr. Cull explores the intersection of communication and foreign policy, with a focus on public diplomacy’s historical evolution, reputational security, and the impact of digital technologies. His work addresses how nations project influence through media, propaganda, and cultural engagement.

Key Contributions: His books include Public Diplomacy: Foundations for Global Engagement in the Digital Age (2019) and The Cold War and the United States Information Agency (2008). He has advised foreign ministries in multiple countries and co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Public Diplomacy (2020).

Awards:

• Outstanding Academic Text, Choice Magazine (2008 and 1995)
• Benjamin Franklin Award (as founding director of USC’s MPD program)

Advising & Grants: Cull has advised governments on public diplomacy strategy, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and others. His research has examined U.S. public diplomacy post-9/11, South Africa’s apartheid-era media battles, and the role of digital platforms in international engagement.

Labs & Teams: Active in the Annenberg Schools’ centers for Public Diplomacy and Communication Leadership, he contributes to interdisciplinary projects on global communication and policy.