Knowledge Diplomacy examines particular and cultural antecedents to the development of the field; and its predominance in western thinking and critiques. Crucially, it does so not just from the perspective of scholars but also by consciously drawing on the perspectives of practitioners. The development of Knowledge Diplomacy allows for increased understanding of the role of research, innovation and higher education institutions as actors in international relations; shaping knowledge as they do. As such Knowledge Diplomacy presents a meaningful means of understanding how understanding knowledge impacts scholars, students and decisions makers as those who use knowledge in their practice.