Ushakiran Gnawaly is an Assistant Professor in the Master’s program in International Relations and Peace Studies at Lumbini Buddhist University, City Campus. With a strong academic foundation in international relations and a research focus on cultural diplomacy, she brings both scholarly and critical perspectives to her teaching and academic engagements.
Her master’s thesis explored the role of cultural diplomacy, reflecting a sustained interest in the intersection of soft power, foreign policy, and cross-cultural engagement. She has undergone formal research training and continues to expand her academic toolkit through workshops and seminars.
At Lumbini Buddhist University, she teaches courses such as Nepal’s Foreign Policy and Diplomatic history and International Security. She is especially interested in examining non-Western perspectives in international relations, challenging dominant narratives and encouraging students to critically reflect on whose histories and theories are being taught.
Her teaching approach is interactive and student-centered, aiming to equip learners with a more inclusive and critical understanding of global affairs. She encourages students to question traditional frameworks and to explore international relations from diverse cultural and geopolitical standpoints.
Recently, she presented a paper at the First Belt and Road Nepal-China Buddhist Culture and Art Seminar, where she examined China’s cultural diplomacy efforts in South Asia.
