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12 October 2025
2025 Distinguished Public Relations Scholar Award Winner

The European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) has named Øyvind Ihlen, Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway, Distinguished Public Relations Scholar.

The lifetime award recognises his outstanding contribution to the development of the European and global body of knowledge in public relations and strategic communication.

He was awarded on September 26, 2025, at Lund University, Sweden, on the occasion of the EUPRERA annual Congress.

Throughout his career, Øyvind Ihlen has combined intellectual rigour with a deep commitment to our scholarly community. His research on rhetoric, framing, political public relations, and sustainability communication has shaped how we understand the role of strategic communication in society, giving us new lenses to explore legitimacy, power, and responsibility in public life.

Øyvind Ihlen has authored more than 160 publications, including Public Relations and Social Theory: Key Figures, Concepts and Developments, the Handbook of Organizational Rhetoric and Communication, and the award-winning Handbook of Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility.

But Øyvind’s influence goes far beyond his impressive publication record. As a former President of EUPRERA, he has worked tirelessly to strengthen our network, fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines. For many years, he has led the EUPRERA PhD Seminar, guiding early-career researchers with generosity and enthusiasm, helping them find both their scholarly voice and a sense of belonging in our field.

With this award, we celebrate not only a prolific and respected scholar but also a leader, mentor, and community builder whose work and spirit have left a lasting mark on European and global public relations research. We are proud to name Øyvind Ihlen as the EUPRERA “Distinguished public relations scholar” of 2025.

See the other recipients of this Award HERE.

 

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12 October 2025
2025 Best Papers and Best Reviewer Award Winners

On the occasion of its annual Congress, the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) has awarded authors for their excellent research and the best reviewer for their contribution. This year, the annual Congress was hosted by Lund University in Lund, Sweden.

EUPRERA Best Paper Awards

The Awards were given to the authors of the three papers with the highest rankings in a blind peer-review process performed by experienced reviewers from the EUPRERA community, under the guidance of the Heads of the Scientific Committee, Martina Topić-Rutherford and Sarah Marschlich. The winning papers were selected for their conceptual contribution, methodological quality, and relevance to contemporary challenges in the field.

The three winning papers are:

The Diversity Washing Dilemma: How Diverse Corporate Self-Presentation and Product Communication Enhance Image and Credibility – And How Misalignment Can Backfire
by Sandra Mechler, Thomas Koch, Nora Denner

The study provides valuable insights into diversity communication and how it affects organisational credibility. By comparing self-presentation and product communication, it offers unique evidence on how diversity messaging shapes consumer perceptions and highlights the critical role of authenticity.

Reviewers praised the work as “well-executed and highly relevant”, noting its clear structure, theoretical depth, and robust dual experimental design. The paper investigates a strategic communication dilemma that is both timely and practically significant: how misalignment between corporate messages and reality can backfire.

Triangulating Narrative Alignment: An AI- and API-Driven Approach to Issue Detection Across Reddit, News, YouTube, and Brand Web Content
by Grazia Murtarelli, Stefania Romenti, Elanor Colleoni

This paper was described by the reviewers as “focused on a really interesting issue, presenting an original approach and achieving relevant results”. It is methodologically advanced and highly relevant for current strategic communication challenges.

The reviewers highlighted its strong theoretical grounding and sophisticated combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The study contributes conceptually and practically, bringing forward a scientifically and practically valuable tool for detecting narrative alignment in real time across digital platforms.

Ayn Rand in Tech Leadership: Critical Perspectives on Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover and the Erosion of Communication and Stakeholder Principles
by Philipp Bachmann, Diana Ingenhoff

This paper “problematizes the established normative assumptions of communication theory and calls for new, critical reflection”. Reviewers noted its potential for interdisciplinary contribution and its relevance to ongoing debates in leadership and technology communication.

The study advances critical PR research, offering a reflective and theoretically grounded perspective on communication, ideology, and stakeholder relations in tech leadership contexts.

 

Special recognition to the best reviewer

The Best Reviewer Award recognises exceptional dedication, quality, and collegiality in the peer-review process, key values that uphold the academic standards of the EUPRERA Congress.  This year’s winner is:

Michał Chmiel
Royal Holloway, University of London, UK

Michal Chmiel received five-star scores from the authors he reviewed. Reviewees praised his writing, insightful advice, and fairness, noting that his feedback was both supportive and highly constructive.

In addition to his review excellence, he also supported the Congress by reviewing a high number of papers at the last moment, helping the Congress run smoothly and ensuring that all participants received timely, high-quality feedback. His reliability and collegial approach are deeply appreciated and reflect the values that make EUPRERA’s review process both rigorous and supportive.

 

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12 October 2025
2025 PhD and Master Thesis Award Winners

The European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA), a body of academic institutions, researchers and senior professionals in the field of public relations and strategic communication with 500 members from 40 countries, has awarded two master students for their excellent theses.

The PhD Award for Excellent Doctoral Thesis is a bi-annual prize awarded by EUPRERA, aimed at stimulating academic discussion and building the body of knowledge in communication management across Europe. The jury, headed by Winni Johansen, Aarhus University, and Wim Elving, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, selected the winning thesis:

Image Transfers in Personalised Organisational Communication: Development and Validation of the Dual Process Model of Image Transfer
by Jens Hagelstein, University of Vienna / Defended at Leipzig University
Advisor: Ansgar Zerfass, Leipzig University, Germany

The thesis stands out for its theoretical innovation, methodological depth, and strong contribution to advancing communication research. Introducing the Dual Process Model of Image Transfer (DPMIT), Dr. Hagelstein bridges psychology and public relations in a novel way, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding how individual representatives shape organisational image through personalised communication. Grounded in cognitive psychology, the model was tested through three high-quality experiments involving nearly 1,000 participants, examining affective versus cognitive, explicit versus implicit, and controlled versus automatic processes of image transfer. The empirical design demonstrates exceptional methodological rigour and a clear grasp of both theoretical and applied dimensions of communication.

The study’s insights are not only academically significant but also highly relevant for practice, showing how personalised communication can effectively influence organisational perception, even in complex, media-saturated environments.

 

The Master Thesis Award for Excellence is an annual prize that aims to celebrate the PR academia and the role played by European Higher Education Institutions in the evolution of knowledge in this field. The jury, headed by Martina Topić-Rutherford, from the University of Alabama, selected the winning theses in two categories:

Theoretical Impact Award

Jamile Calil Racanicci, Lund University, Sweden
Confusing lobbying with corruption? Discursive tensions relating transparency and lobbying in the EU after Qatargate
Supervisor: Camilla Nothhaft, Lund University, Sweden

In the aftermath of the Qatargate scandal, this thesis critically examines how lobbying and transparency are discursively constructed within the EU context. Drawing on Foucault and Fairclough, Racanicci employs critical discourse analysis based on interviews with lobbyists and Members of the European Parliament to explore how transparency serves both as a reputational asset and a political liability.

Reviewers highlighted the study’s “mastery of PR research” and “original and unique insights”, noting its theoretical sophistication, rich engagement with contemporary scholarship, and impressive methodological design. The thesis not only highlights tensions between lobbying, transparency, and democratic legitimacy but also offers valuable directions for policymaking and ethical regulation within EU institutions.

 

Practical Impact Award

Arsalan Satti, University of Stirling, UK / Pompeu Fabra University, Spain
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War: a multi-modal critical discourse analysis of social media posts of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
Supervisor: David Rolinson, University of Stirling, UK

This thesis explores how national leaders used Facebook as a strategic communication weapon during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. Through multimodal critical discourse analysis of 303 posts and interviews with young citizens from Armenia and Azerbaijan, Satti reveals how digital platforms became arenas of narrative warfare, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers and amplifying polarisation.

The study’s findings highlight the long-term risks of emotional mobilisation, youth mistrust, and echo chambers while also suggesting ways to rebuild dialogue and media literacy. The jury commended the work for its methodological rigour, social relevance, and practical implications for crisis and conflict communication, describing it as “a professionally executed and impactful study on the communicative dimensions of war.”

 

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1 August 2025
EUPRERA Master Award 2025 – Finalists announced!

EUPRERA is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2025 Master Thesis Award for Excellence. The winners, 1 per category, will be announced during the EUPRERA congress in Lund on Sept. 26, 2025.

This award recognises outstanding master’s theses that contribute to the advancement of public relations, strategic communication, and related fields. All submissions are evaluated for originality, relevance, theoretical and methodological quality, and practical implications. Following a rigorous selection process, the jury has shortlisted the following finalists (listed alphabetically by surname within each category):

2025 EUPRERA Master Award Finalists
Practical Impact category

  • Sophie Cameron
    University of Stirling, UK
    Thesis: Driving Change: Increasing female visibility within motorsport through communication and public relations strategy to encourage female participation
    Supervisor: Richard Haynes

  • Fatih Şahin
    Hanze University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
    Thesis: The Missing C: An International Storytelling Strategy for the Open Government Partnership
    Supervisors: Astrid Berg, Wim Elving

  • Arsalan Satti
    University of Stirling, UK and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
    Thesis: The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War: a multi-modal critical discourse analysis of social media posts of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan
    Supervisor: David Rolinson

  • Temitope Shittu
    University of Stirling, UK
    Thesis: Strategies for Communicating Immigration Policies: A Critical Discourse Analysis of UK Government Communications on Immigration
    Supervisor: Stefanie Hills

 

Theoretical Impact category

  • Otega Akpokiniovo
    University of Stirling, UK
    Thesis: Unveiling Gender Perspectives: The Lived Experiences of Women Public Relations Practitioners in Nigeria
    Supervisor: Jacqueline Collins

  • Jamile Calil Racanicci
    Lund University, Sweden
    Thesis: Confusing lobbying with corruption? Discursive tensions relating transparency and lobbying in the EU after Qatargate
    Supervisor: Camilla Nothhaft

  • Jakob Johannsen
    University of Vienna, Austria
    Thesis: Communication of foreign companies operating in Russia during the war in Ukraine
    Supervisor: Sabine Einwiller

  • Valeska Jung
    Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
    Thesis: Crisis Communication in Universities Put to the Test: A Scoping Review of the Academic Study of Crisis Communication in Higher Education
    Supervisor: Nora Denner

  • Laura Siewert
    Lund University, Sweden
    Thesis: From Public Diplomacy to Diplomacy Which Becomes Public: Investigating Intelligence Disclosure as an Information Warfare Tactic
    Supervisor: Leysan Storie

We extend our congratulations to all finalists and express our gratitude to the reviewers and institutions who supported this year’s award process.

Congratulations!
27 June 2025
COMM-AIT: The First AI Competency Test for Communication Professionals

The Academic Society for Management & Communication, Leipzig University, and Siemens AG have launched COMM-AIT – the world’s first scientifically validated AI competency test specifically designed for professionals working in strategic communication, corporate affairs, and public relations.

COMM-AIT was developed under the leadership of Professor Ansgar Zerfass at Leipzig University, a global centre for corporate communication research, and is grounded in the latest scientific insights into AI-related competencies. The initiative was realised in collaboration with experts from the Academic Society for Management & Communication and Siemens AG.

Why AI literacy matters?

AI literacy has become an essential qualification in the communications field. Professionals seeking to use AI technologies strategically and responsibly require more than just technical knowledge. They also need practical skills and a strong understanding of ethical boundaries. COMM-AIT addresses all three dimensions.

What does the test offer?

COMM-AIT evaluates participants across three areas:

  • Knowledge of AI concepts and tools
  • Skills in applying AI in communication contexts
  • Attitudes towards ethical and responsible AI use
Each participant receives:
  • A personal AI Competency Index, categorising their competence across five levels
  • A detailed competency profile to highlight strengths and development areas
  • The option to retake the test to track progress over time
Who is it for?

COMM-AIT is designed for communication professionals working in corporate communications or corporate affairs departments, PR or communication agencies, or as freelancers or communication service providers.

COMM-AIT is available online, free of charge, in English and German at www.comm-ait.com.

What industry leaders say

Professor Ansgar Zerfass:

“COMM-AIT is based on the latest research into how AI-related competencies can be assessed and developed. It contributes to the professionalisation of the communication field.”

Christiane Ribeiro, Global Head of Communications at Siemens AG:

“The test results provide valuable insights into how we can develop AI skills within our team. Our collaboration with Leipzig University on this initiative has been highly beneficial.”

About the partners

The Academic Society for Management & Communication is Europe’s leading non-profit think tank for strategic communication. It drives research on emerging challenges in corporate communications and facilitates knowledge transfer between academia and practice.

Leipzig University, founded in 1409, is internationally recognised for its research and education in strategic communication. Its Master of Arts in Communication Management is consistently ranked as the top programme in Germany.

Siemens AG is a global technology leader in industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. Siemens is at the forefront of applying AI to real-world challenges.

16 June 2025
#EUPRERAtalks: Digital Communication Management via Digital Media-Arenas
Digital Communication Management via Digital Media-Arenas

Date and Time:
June 19, 2025
12:00 (CEST)

What to expect from the webinar

This webinar marks the launch of the Digital Transformations subseries within the EUPRERAtalks webinar programme. Initiated by Grazia Murtarelli, who leads the Digital Transformation and Public Relations thematic network of EUPRERA, this new subseries explores how digital developments are reshaping communication.

In this first webinar, Mark Badham, Vilma Luoma-aho and Stephen Waddington introduce the novel Digital Media-Arena (DMA) Framework, which outlines 15 digital spaces where organisations, stakeholders, and publics communicate today. The DMA Framework addresses the dilemma over how much control communicators have in today’s digital communication environment. The DMA Framework is a key feature in the new Routledge textbook Digital Communication Management: Theories & Practices for a Global & Volatile World.

The explosion of digitally mediated forms of communication is changing the game for all communicators. Communication power has shifted massively from organisations to the public and stakeholders. Organisations are no longer solely in charge of their brand and messages, and reputations are increasingly at the mercy of stakeholders formed across the 15 DMAs. The DMA Framework reveals (1) where communication can and can’t be controlled, and (2) where communication should prioritise “listening” vs “speaking”.

Speakers

Mark Badham, Leeds Beckett University, UK

Dr. Mark Badham is Senior Lecturer in Public Relations at Leeds Beckett University, UK. His practitioner experience, teaching and research have focused on organisations’ strategic communication in digital environments, particularly through the news media and during crisis events. Mark’s recent research addresses public relations solutions to complex organisational communication challenges presented in digital and social media environments. Prior to joining academia, Mark worked for 20 years as a public relations practitioner for governments, politicians, corporations and not-for-profits in Australia.

Vilma Luoma-aho, School of Business & Economics, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Dr. Vilma Luoma-aho is Professor of Corporate Communication and Vice Dean in charge of Education at the School of Business & Economics, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Luoma-aho has published several books and articles in leading communication journals on digital stakeholders and new forms of influence, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Arthur W. Page Society (New York), an elite community of the world’s leading communicators. Known for her engaging content, she teaches university and executive education programmes in Finland, Norway and Germany, and consults organisations across sectors on meeting the new expectations of digital stakeholders. Her current project, AIDEMOC, funded by the Finnish Research Council’s Strategic Research Funding, focuses on misinformation and the malicious use of AI to harm democracy.

Stephen Waddington, Wadds Inc., UK

Stephen Waddington is founder and managing partner of Wadds Inc., an advisory firm for creative agencies and communication teams. He built an agency during the 90s supporting internet infrastructure companies, and later scaled one of the first agencies to integrate paid, earned, and social media. He was most recently Chief Engagement Officer at Ketchum, leading global digital and social media initiatives. His clients have included Amazon, ARM, BMW, The Economist, Microsoft, NHS, Salesforce, and Virgin Media Business. He has written and edited ten books, including Exploring Public Relations and Management Communication. A former CIPR President and Honorary Fellow, Stephen helped establish its AI in PR panel in 2018. The panel has since published key practitioner guidelines. In 2020, he co-founded Socially Mobile, a CIC offering management training to under-represented and lower-income PR professionals across the UK. Stephen is also a PhD researcher at Leeds Business School, exploring the relationship between public relations and management.

Moderator: Grazia Murtarelli, IULM University, Italy

Grazia Murtarelli, PhD, is Associate Professor of Corporate Communication at IULM University, and has coordinated the Master’s in Strategic Communication since 2024. Her research focuses on digital communication, corporate PR, and strategic communication, with a focus on digital transformation, AI, and corporate reputation. She has held visiting positions at the University of Huddersfield and Leeds Beckett University, contributing to projects on AI ethics and organisational legitimacy. She teaches Digital Communication Management and Public Relations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with emphasis on AI-powered communication and data-driven storytelling. She also lectures at the International University of Monaco in luxury management. Beyond academia, she advises organisations on social media governance, API-based intelligence, sentiment analysis, and digital positioning. Her work is published in leading journals and has received awards for contributions to AI ethics and digital reputation. She is an active member of professional associations including EUPRERA (where she leads the Digital Transformation and Public Relations thematic network), ICA, SIM, and SIMA.

Publications about the DMA:

Badham, M. & Luoma-aho, V. (forthcoming 2025). Digital Communication Management: Theories and Practices for a Global and Volatile World. Routledge.

Luoma-aho, V. & Badham, M. (2025). Future roles for communicators in digital media-arenas: Boxturners and global diplomats. Corporate Communication Review, 1(1), 31–39. https://doi.org/10.63904/ccr.v1i1.9

Badham, M., Luoma-aho, V., & Valentini, C. (2024). A revised digital media–arena framework guiding strategic communication in digital environments. Journal of Communication Management. 28(2), 226-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-03-2023-0031

Badham, M., Luoma-aho, V., Valentini, C. & Körkkö, L. (2022). Digital Strategic Communication through Digital Media-Arenas. In Falkheimer, J. & Heide, M. (Eds.). Research Handbook of Strategic Communication, Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800379893.00035

Stephen Waddington’s LinkedIn post

Duration

1 hour

23 May 2025
Join the EUNES Research Escalator at the EUPRERA Annual Congress in Lund

The European Network of Emerging Scholars (EUNES) invites early- and mid-career researchers to join the EUNES Research Escalator at the upcoming EUPRERA Annual Congress in Lund.

The EUNES Research Escalator offers an excellent opportunity to present your work-in-progress paper or research idea and receive constructive peer feedback and support. This format has been highly valued in previous years, providing a collaborative and enriching experience for scholars in public relations and strategic communication.

  • Submit your work-in-progress as an extended abstract (500–800 words, excluding references) by 30 June 2025 to eunes@euprera.org.
  • Receive constructive guidance from peers to help refine your work towards publication.
  • Connect with fellow scholars who share your passion and vision, fostering meaningful collaborations that drive impactful research outcomes.
  • Participate in stimulating discussions with peers and gain new insights to advance your research.

Key dates:
30 June – Abstract submission deadline
15 July – Acceptance decisions
15 August – End of the early-bird registration period
24 August – Optional revised abstract submission
26 August – Assignment for in-depth review
15 September – End of the registration period

More info here.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

21 May 2025
“EUPRERA 2023 – Communicating in Turbulent Times” special issue out now in JCOM

We’re pleased to announce the publication of Volume 29, Issue 2 of the Journal of Communication Management (JCOM) – the “EUPRERA 2023 – Communicating in Turbulent Times” special issue, guest edited by Wim Elving.

This issue features selected contributions from the EUPRERA 2023 Congress, hosted by Charles University in Prague. Reflecting the event’s academic rigour and collaborative spirit, the papers explore the growing importance of communication and PR in addressing today’s complex and often ethical challenges.

Each EUPRERA Congress leads to a JCOM Special Issue, showcasing high-quality research chosen through a rigorous selection process. Topics in this edition include lobbying, stakeholder narratives, political CSR, digitalisation, issue communication, and employee appreciation.

We’ll spotlight each article on our social media over the coming weeks – stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!

Read the full issue here.

18 May 2025
#EUPRERAtalks: Bridging Research and Practice – Launch of Corporate Communication Review
Bridging Research and Practice – Launch of Corporate Communication Review

Date and Time:
May 28, 2025
15:00-16:00 (CEST)

What to expect from the webinar

This webinar brings together academics and practitioners to explore how knowledge exchange can be effectively facilitated and promoted. It marks the launch of Corporate Communication Review (CCR), a new knowledge transfer journal designed to enhance practitioners’ access to cutting-edge academic research and rigorously reviewed studies with practical relevance. CCR aims to bridge the gap between research and professional practice in corporate communication, strategic communication, and corporate affairs.

CCR is a not-for-profit initiative, launched and funded by the Academic Society for Management and Communication, in collaboration with EUPRERA, EACD, and IPR. The theme of bridging research and practice is also central to this year’s 26th EUPRERA Annual Congress, taking place in Lund, Sweden, from 24–27 September, under the title: “At the Intersection between Academia and Practice in Public Relations and Strategic Communication”.

The first issue of CCR is now published and freely available to all. Read the full issue here.

At this webinar, you’ll hear from the editors, contributors, and partners of CCR, as well as from the organisers of the EUPRERA Congress, on how academic research can support and inspire communication practice.

Speakers

Jesper Falkheimer, Lund University, Sweden

Jesper Falkheimer is Professor of Strategic Communication at Lund University, Sweden, and President of EUPRERA. He has held several senior leadership roles, including Executive Director for Research at Lund University and Rector of Campus Helsingborg. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Communication Management and an Editorial Board Member of Corporate Communication Review. Jesper has published over 150 works on communication management, crisis communication, and disinformation. He also works as a senior advisor at Gullers Group and co-founded two communication-focused startups.

Yan Jin, University of Georgia, USA

Yan Jin is the C. Richard Yarbrough Professor in Crisis Communication Leadership and Professor of Public Relations at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia (UGA). She is Director of both the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) and the Crisis, Risk, and Disaster Communication (CRDC) graduate certificate programme at UGA. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC). Professor Jin is also a contributing author to the inaugural issue of the Corporate Communication Review.

Laurent Turpault, AccorInvest, France

Laurent Turpault is leads communications and public affairs at Essendi, a leading player in hotel investment and operations across Europe. He began his career in marketing at Crédit Agricole, where he quickly recognised the vital role of brand image in fostering long-term consumer relationships. Laurent went on to spend a decade at Heineken France, where he developed the company’s digital strategy and launched an innovative programme to elevate the image of the beer category. He also designed the CSR and communications roadmap, positioning Heineken as a thought leader in the industry. He later served as External Affairs Director for Southern Europe at Bacardi-Martini, followed by his role as Director of Public Affairs, Sustainability, and Communications for France at The Coca-Cola Company. In these positions, he integrated communications into core strategic planning, supported Coca-Cola’s evolution into a total beverage company, and played a key role in major events and public affairs initiatives. In 2021, Laurent earned an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, with a focus on digital transformation. He is also an Editorial Board Member at Corporate Communication Review.

Michelle Wloka, Leipzig University, Germany

Michelle Wloka is the Managing Editor of Corporate Communication Review and a Research Fellow at Leipzig University, Germany. Her research explores emerging trends in corporate communication, with a particular focus on how developments in related fields, such as management, media, and technology, shape the discipline.

Ansgar Zerfass, Leipzig University, Germany

Ansgar Zerfass is Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication at Leipzig University, Germany. He serves the academic community as Consulting Editor of the International Journal of Strategic Communication (USA), a member of the Editorial Board of Corporate Communication Review, and has been the lead researcher of the European Communication Monitor (ECM) since 2007. A former President of EUPRERA, he has published 44 books and nearly 450 articles and studies in multiple languages on corporate communication, communication management, and public relations.

Moderator: Sabine Einwiller, University of Vienna, Austria

Sabine Einwiller is Professor of Public Relations Research and Head of the Department of Communication at the University of Vienna, Austria, where she leads the Corporate Communication Research Group. Sabine is on the editorial board of Corporate Communication Review and on the board of the Academic Society for Management and Communication. She is currently President Elect of EUPRERA. Her research focuses on employee communication, the management of controversial issues, consumer complaining and crisis communication.

Duration

1 hour

30 April 2025
#EUPRERAtalks – Responsibility in Strategic Communication: Truth or Trap?
Responsibility in Strategic Communication: Truth or Trap?

Date and Time:
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
2:00 PM (CEST)

What to expect from the webinar

In this webinar, Petra Koudelková discusses with Ganga Dhanesh, Wim Elving, Denisa Hejlová, and Samira Rahimi Mavi, scholars with expertise in strategic communication and the multiple facets of responsibility. The webinar reflects on their research recently published in the new EUPRERA book, Responsibility in Strategic Communication: Truth or Trap?, the latest volume in the Advances in Public Relations and Communication Management (APCRM) series, published by Emerald.

The webinar thus provides a unique forum for discussing not only the insights related to contributions presented at the EUPRERA Congress held in Prague, 2023, but it also offers a view on how experts perceive current legal and political development in corporate social responsibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and ESG. Government authorities in the USA have started to change their discursive practices, and EU regulatory bodies are talking about a redefinition of plans for extensive ESG reporting. Based on their previous findings, the EUPRERA experts share their view on how this structural change will contribute to differentiating genuine commitment from mere promises of responsibility.

Speakers

 

Ganga Dhanesh, University of Maryland, USA

Ganga Dhanesh (PhD, National University of Singapore) is an Associate Professor of Public Relations in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. Her experience in the corporate sector has informed her extensive research on corporate social responsibility communication, internal communication, and strategic public relations across global contexts, published in multiple top journals. Dr. Dhanesh serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Communication Management and is on the editorial board of Business Horizons, Journal of Public Relations Research, and Public Relations Review. A recipient of several research awards, Dhanesh consults for various national and multinational organizations.

Wim J.L. Elving, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Wim J.L. Elving is a Professor of Sustainable Communication at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (HUAS), Groningen, the Netherlands. He is part of EnTranCe, Centre of Expertise: Energy of the HUAS, that focusses on the Energy Transition and the Sustainable Society. Elving’s current research is involved with communicative and behavioral interventions to create this sustainable future. Elving has contributed more than 250 articles, book chapters, books, editorials, blogs, etcetera. His research expertise is in sustainable communications, corporate communication, internal and change communication, CSR communication and branding. He was (2022) awarded the EUPRERA distinguished scholar award and is a member of the A.W. Page Society, and EUPRERA.

Denisa Hejlová, Charles University, Czech Republic

Denisa Hejlová is an Associate Professor at Charles University in Prague and a leading Czech expert in strategic communication, public relations, and political communication. She served as Head of the Department of Marketing Communication and Public Relations from 2011 to 2023 and currently directs the university’s Research Centre for Strategic Communication. A Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Columbia University in 2014, Dr. Hejlová also studied intercultural communication at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. In 2020, she launched the first Czech MA programme in Strategic Communication. Her research spans government communication, propaganda, influencer ethics, and trust management. She is a member of EUPRERA and a contributor to the European Communication Monitor.

Samira Rahimi Mavi, University of Vienna, Austria

Samira Rahimi Mavi studied journalism at Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran and earned her PhD in communication from the University of Vienna, where she worked under the guidance of Prof. Sabine Einwiller. Her research explores corporate communication, with a focus on media coverage, consumer criticism, diversity and inclusion, and ethical communication strategies on controversial issues.

Moderator: Petra Koudelková, Charles University, Czech Republic

Dr Petra Koudelková is the Head of the Department of Marketing Communication and PR, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in Prague. Her field of study is sustainable marketing, social marketing, and marketing of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She is very interested in government communication. She leads the working group for implementing a sustainability program for the whole Faculty of Social Sciences. She is an expert in the communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and maps the phenomenon of greenwashing in rapidly changing market conditions.

Duration

1 hour

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