Description
This study sought to analyze Ukraine’s innovative use of Twitter (X) during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine War while identifying which Ukrainian innovations may diffuse amongst diplomatic institutions thereby impacting the practice of diplomacy. Through an extensive literature review of 90 digital diplomacy studies, the study mapped 14 factors that may facilitate or inhibit the adoption of digital innovations in diplomacy. Using these factors, the study identified four Ukrainian innovations which may be widely adopted by diplomats including using social media to lobby big tech CEOs, using memes and humor to narrate war-related events, and utilizing pop-culture celebrities as digital Ambassadors. The study also identified one Ukrainian social media innovation that may not be adopted widely by diplomats - crowdfunding weapons’ procurement online. The study discusses the impact of each Ukrainian innovation on diplomatic practices and digital publics. By identifying factors that impact the adoption and diffusion of innovative technologies among diplomats, and demonstrating how such innovations impact the broader practice of diplomacy, the study addresses two lacunas in digital diplomacy research. Moreover, the study discusses in detail the long-term societal impact of Ukraine's innovative use of social media including the possible proliferation of war as arms may now crowdsourced online and the use of celebrities to increase the appeal of war. Thus, the study offers an important investigation of how diplomats' use of technologies can actually undermine diplomacy and increase the public acceptance of wars as legitimate ways to resolve crises between states.
