The Power of History: European Strategic Social Sciences and Humanities Research for Science Diplomacy

H2020 Inventing a shared Science Diplomacy for Europe (InsSciDE) was European strategic Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) strategic research. The aim was developing European science diplomacy, the use of scientific relations for foreign and security policy purposes. Strategic SSH research is rare compared to strategic research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), making InsSciDE a particularly innovative project. The article discusses the value of SSH science diplomacy research for science diplomacy strategy formulation, and it presents the strategic research task given by the European Commission (EC), which InsSciDE responded to. Social theory and concepts on power guided a continuous consortium discussion on science diplomacy between historical case studies and formulation of science diplomacy theory and strategy. The article outlines how social theory on power can structure analytical and strategic discussions on science diplomacy. InsSciDE shared these results in two online international Warsaw Science Diplomacy Schools with total of 52 participants, other outreach, and through the teaching of consortium members.