§2732b Improving Research and Evaluation of Public Diplomacy

Summary

The Secretary must appoint a Director of Research and Evaluation in the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs within 90 days after December 27, 2021. That Director will run regular research and impact studies of the Department’s public diplomacy work using audience research and digital analytics. The Director will guide and coordinate research across all public diplomacy offices, help U.S. embassy public affairs teams, share findings inside the Department and with other federal agencies, create standard research methods, and report twice a year to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through a new Subcommittee on Research and Evaluation. The appointment cannot increase the Department’s total full-time equivalent positions. The Director must also create guidance and training, including a curriculum for the Foreign Service Institute, within 1 year of being named. The Office head must make sure this research helps with planning and how money is spent. Funds for research and evaluation will be distributed by the Director among public diplomacy research staff. Congress encourages gradually raising the share of money from the “Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs” and “Diplomatic Programs” to match federal best practices. Chapter 35 of title 44 (the Paperwork Reduction Act) does not apply to Department audience research tied to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, section 1287 of the NDAA for FY2017, or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The Department may collect records for audience research and evaluations, but such collection must be reasonably limited and respect privacy and civil liberties. The Subcommittee must send an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees with the Commission’s Comprehensive Annual Report.