Improvisation in Public Diplomacy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Organizational Communication and Technology in the Time of Coronavirus
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Abstract

This chapter examines the personal and professional experiences of an academic turned diplomat in Amman, Jordan, as she navigates the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The author describes how government-imposed lockdowns changed the very nature of her job, including allowing telework from home and the loss of ability to interact with people in face-to-face settings. Drawing on the seminal work by Mary Catherine Bateson, the author examines how the concept of improvisation informed her approach to develo** new work routines amid uncertainty. The author concludes with observations on how the pandemic may reshape official diplomatic work in the future. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do notnecessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government.

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Szmania, S. (2022). Improvisation in Public Diplomacy During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In: Browning, L.D., Sørnes, JO., Svenkerud, P.J. (eds) Organizational Communication and Technology in the Time of Coronavirus. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94814-6_12

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