British Council: Building cultural capital

Daniel Korbel has just taken over as director of science at the British Council, and leads a six-person team advising on scientific outreach around the globe. He tells Antoaneta Roussi what’s on his agenda with Brexit looming.

Founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, the British Council has since acquired a snappier title and an increasingly vital role. At a time of uncertainty about the UK’s place in the world, its aim is to foster dialogue and create a “friendly understanding” of British people and culture, while creating a “sympathetic appreciation of its foreign policy”.

Today the council operates in more than 100 countries in seven regions: the Americas, East Asia, European Union, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, sub Saharan Africa, and wider Europe. Its focus is on strengthening links between the UK and other countries, via the arts, culture and science.