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5 January 2026
#EUPRERAtalks – Regeneration and Communication: Rethinking the Role of PR in a Changing World
Regeneration and Communication: Rethinking the Role of PR in a Changing World

Date and Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 13:00-14:00 (CET)

What to expect from the webinar

We are almost two months away from the submission deadline (March 15th) for the EUPRERA 2026 Congress taking place in Málaga, Spain. Proposing a timely and challenging theme – Regenerating public relations and strategic communication in the face of the new global order: are we ready for this challenge? – the organising team invites you to a webinar designed to offer insight and reflection for a potential submission for the Congress.

Regeneration is emerging today as a paradigm that transcends the traditional boundaries of sustainability and resilience, offering a deeper, more evolutionary and relational perspective on social, economic and environmental systems. It is not only about maintaining what already exists, but about activating processes of restoration, revitalisation, and evolution that enable living systems, including organisations, to become agents of collective well-being.

In a global scenario marked by climate crisis, persistent inequalities, and political-communicative tensions, this approach opens a necessary discussion on how institutions operate and what kind of communication is required to align with the principles of interdependence, adaptation and mutual care.

In this context, public relations and strategic communication hold significant potential to foster regenerative processes, although they have also historically contributed to reinforcing power narratives, promoting discourses with limited impact or sustaining exclusionary dynamics. Recognising this ambivalence is essential to reorient the discipline towards more conscious, critical and transformative practices.

This webinar proposes exploring how communication can become a force capable of overcoming inertia, broadening our understanding of systemic problems and fostering relationships that generate real positive impact.

Key questions will guide the dialogue:

  • How can we design narratives that support regenerative change?
  • In what ways can communication ethically influence organisational decision-making?
  • What professional responsibilities emerge in a context affected by misinformation, polarisation and declining public trust?

This space invites participants to reflect and build new possibilities for the regenerative role of communication.

Speakers

Evandro Oliveira, CEO & Founder of Gaudere, Spain

A globally active consultant, executive coach and professor working at the intersection of strategy, communication and regenerative management. Founder of Gaudere in Barcelona, collaborating with organisations worldwide. Combines applied research, leadership coaching and executive training, focusing on sustainability, organisational transformation and responsible communication across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

Bel Barroso, University of Malaga, Spain

Social entrepreneur, researcher and visiting professor specialising in strategic communication for sustainability. She co-founded Cronopios and has led projects on education, climate activism and biomimicry. Former Innovation and Communication Director at AlmaNatura, she contributes to Comunidad B Andalucía and B Academics Spain, speaking internationally on transformative communication.

Rune Schanke Eikum, BI Norwegian Business School, Norway

CEO of the innovation consultancy Tinkr (Norway) and a late-stage PhD candidate at BI Norwegian Business School. His work focuses on companies’ sustainability transitions and their journeys towards becoming regenerative businesses, combining academic research with hands-on case work with Norwegian organisations in land-based fish farming and coffee production, and building on his early career experience as a consultant at GK Nordic, the largest PR and communications agency in the Nordic region.

Moderator – Isabel Ruiz-Mora, University of Malaga, Spain

Teaching and researching about PR, sustainability and activism at the University of Malaga. Editor of Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas/International Journal of Public Relations. Member of ECREA, EUPRERA, AIRP. I believe in a better world, we must keep education as a human right! I love to discover new places, new flavours, new people…

30 November 2025
FuturePR 2025 Winners Announced

The second edition of the FuturePR International Student Competition has concluded with a dynamic online finale that highlighted the creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork of communication students from across the world. Organised by EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association) in collaboration with ICCO (International Communications Consultancy Organisation), FuturePR continues to connect university classrooms with the realities of professional public relations practice in an age of mis- and disinformation.

Building on the Media Information and Education Pledge, the 2025 edition moved from raising awareness about misinformation to preventing it before it spreads, focusing on prebunking as a key communication strategy. Students were invited to explore how PR and communication professionals can help audiences recognise manipulative narratives in advance, strengthen media literacy, and support a healthier information environment.

This year’s competition brought together 85 students from 19 universities in 14 countries (Brazil, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Thailand, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America), nominated by institutional and individual members of EUPRERA and ICCO:

  • Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
  • Bahçeşehir University, Türkiye
  • Budapest University of Economics and Business, Hungary
  • Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  • Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil
  • Friedrich Schiller University, Germany
  • Istanbul Aydin University, Türkiye
  • Leeds Beckett University, UK
  • Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain
  • Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
  • Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Portugal
  • St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, India
  • The University of Alabama, USA
  • The University of Georgia, Georgia
  • University of Beira Interior, Portugal
  • University of Bucharest, Romania
  • University of Jyväskylä, Finland
  • University of Málaga, Spain
  • VERN’ University, Croatia

Winners of the 2025 edition

After an intensive final round, the international jury selected three winning teams from among the finalists, while the Best Individual Assignment was determined separately by the academic evaluators based on the first-stage submissions.

First place: Team The Last Prebunkers, under the mentorship of Suzy Giles, Managing Director, Giles Global Ltd (New Zealand) – Pornravin Apinyakorn – Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Azra Khan – St Joseph’s University (India), Ali Furkan Ören – Bahçeşehir University (Türkiye)

Second place: Team The Guardians, under the mentorship of Nicoleta Iancu, Communications Director, GRF+ (Romania) – Jade Wilcox – Leeds Beckett University (UK), Salome Turmanidze – The University of Georgia (Georgia), María Fernanda Almeida Joo – Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain)

Third place: Team VOV Values over Viral, under the mentorship of Iva Grigorova, President, BAPRA (Bulgaria) – Plamena Gospodinova – University of Málaga (Spain), Wairimu Gikenye – UK – Leeds Beckett University (UK), Nina Vresnik – VERN’ University (Croatia)

A Special mention for Best Individual Assignment was awarded to Ina Liklikadze (The University of Georgia, Georgia).

Through the partnership with ICCO, these top-performing students will be offered career development opportunities within the ICCO network, helping them translate their competition experience into real-world practice in agencies and organisations around the globe.

How the 2025 competition worked

The FuturePR 2025 format was designed to test both individual analytical skills and international teamwork, without turning the competition into a purely theoretical exercise.

Step 1 – Individual assignment

In the first phase, the nominated students were given an individual video assignment. In a short 5-minute presentation, students were asked to look at the mis/disinformation landscape in their own country and to reflect on how prebunking is (or could be) part of the response. This encouraged them to:

  • Connect the global theme of prebunking with local media, political, or social contexts,
  • Bring together academic sources, policy initiatives, and practical examples,
  • Consider the role of communication professionals, institutions, and civil society in preparing audiences before false narratives spread.

The video assignments were evaluated by members of the EUPRERA Education Network, with each submission reviewed independently by two academics from different institutions and countries:

  • Aurélie Laborde – Université Bordeaux Montaigne, France
  • Gabriel Sadi – Huddersfield University, UK
  • Ileana Zeler – Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
  • João Ferreira – Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Portugal
  • Leli Bibilashvili – The University of Georgia, Georgia
  • Mariana Pereira – Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Portugal
  • Michal Chmiel – Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
  • Monique Abbenbroek – Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
  • Noelia Zurro – Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain
  • Rudiger Theilmann – Leeds Beckett University, UK
  • Tatiana Nunes – Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Portugal
  • Teela Clayton – Leeds Beckett University, UK

Step 2 – International team challenge

Based on the evaluation of the individual work, 30 finalists from 15 universities in 12 countries were selected and placed into mixed international teams, each bringing together students from different universities and countries. In the collaborative phase of the competition, each team was joined by a mentor from the ICCO network, bringing agency and in-house experience from different markets and helping students sharpen their strategies and pitches:

  • Abrar Mikkawi – Director of Communications & Community Outreach, Sharjah Maritime Academy, UAE
  • Iva Grigorova – President, BAPRA, Bulgaria
  • Girish Balachandran – Founder, ON PURPOSE, India
  • Loreley Maldonado – Founder and president, Eje Comunicación, Mexico
  • Marius Doroftei – Senior PR Specialist, Public Advisors, Romania
  • Nicoleta Iancu – Communications Director, GRF+, Romania
  • Paul Mottram – Independent communications consultant, Hong Kong
  • Stephen King – Senior Fellow HEA, UK
  • Suzy Giles – Managing Director, Giles Global Ltd, New Zealand

Working entirely online over several days, the teams created a strategic communication concept centred on prebunking and the Media Information and Education Pledge, and prepared a concise presentation for the grand finale. Each team then presented its concept live in the grand finale to an international jury representing EUPRERA and ICCO:

  • Çınar Ergin – Founder, Aristo Communications, Türkiye
  • Ieva Naujalyte – Founder and managing partner, Adverum, Lithuania
  • Mary Njoki – CEO & Founder, GlassHouse PR, Kenia
  • Peggy Simcic Brønn – 2023 winner of the EUPRERA Distinguished Scholar Award, professor emerita, BI Norwegian Business, Norway
  • Sabine Einwiller – University of Vienna, Austria / President Elect, EUPRERA

The jury’s role was to evaluate the team concepts and presentations and to select the three winning teams.

 

Student experience and impact

Participants in FuturePR 2025 emphasised three aspects of the experience in particular:

  • International collaboration – working closely with peers from other countries, time zones, and cultures on a shared communication challenge.
  • Mentor guidance – receiving feedback and practical advice from senior professionals in the ICCO network, which helped them refine their ideas and understand how a real brief would be handled in an agency context.
  • Applied learning – moving beyond classroom assignments to tackle a complex, socially relevant topic with real stakeholders and constraints.

The competition showed how students can be strong partners in rethinking the role of public relations in countering misinformation, not only by correcting falsehoods but also by building resilience and critical thinking before falsehoods spread.

FuturePR will return in 2026 with a new edition!

 

For more information, visit www.euprera.org/futurepr or contact education@euprera.org.

About FuturePR, EUPRERA and ICCO

FuturePR is an international student competition created to foster a long-term dialogue on the critical issues facing the public relations profession, with a particular focus on how current and future communication professionals can contribute to a more informed, less polarised public sphere.

EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association) is an academic organisation that has been advancing public relations education and research since 1959. With over 500 members from more than 40 countries, EUPRERA supports cross-national research and education projects and hosts an annual congress to disseminate knowledge and innovation in public relations and strategic communication. The EUPRERA Education Network coordinates initiatives such as FuturePR to support innovative teaching and the integration of research into education.

ICCO (International Communications Consultancy Organisation) represents 41 PR associations across 82 countries, encompassing over 3,000 PR firms. ICCO is dedicated to raising standards in the PR industry and fostering innovation. Through events, educational opportunities, and global summits, ICCO connects professionals and nurtures talent at every stage of their careers.

 

Press release_FuturePR_2025_winners and summary

FuturePR 2025 Instagram / FuturePR 2025 Facebook

24 November 2025
#EUPRERAtalks – Behind the Editorial Desk: Publishing Interdisciplinary Research for Emerging Scholars
Behind the Editorial Desk: Publishing Interdisciplinary Research for Emerging Scholars

Date and Time: December 11, 2025, 10:00 (CET)

What to expect from the webinar

What happens to your paper once you submit it to an interdisciplinary journal? This #EUPRERAtalks webinar, part of the #EUNES (European Network of Emerging Scholars) series, invites emerging scholars to go behind the scenes of the editorial process and discover how interdisciplinary manuscripts are reviewed, discussed, and ultimately decided upon.

By welcoming Prof. Dr. Yijing Wang, Professor of Strategic Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the session will combine insights from the editor’s side with open discussion and audience participation.

Together, we’ll explore:

  • What editors look for in submissions
  • How to position your work effectively across disciplinary boundaries
  • What makes a paper stand out in a crowded field

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions, share your own experiences with publishing, and gain feedback on common challenges, such as choosing the right journal, dealing with reviewer comments, and shaping a long-term publishing strategy.

By the end of the webinar, you’ll walk away with practical guidance, new perspectives on the publication process, and a clearer sense of how to strengthen your scholarly impact across disciplines.

About EUNES: EUNES is a EUPRERA thematic network supporting early- and mid-career public relations and strategic communication researchers through skills development, networking opportunities, workshops, and events. Learn more here.

Come get ready for your next submission. We look forward to seeing you!

Speakers

Prof. Dr. Yijing Wang, Professor of Strategic Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Prof. Dr. Yijing Wang is Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She serves as Chair of the ECREA Crisis Communication Section and PI of the Horizon Europe project “CUES – Consumers’ Understanding of Eating Sustainably.” Her research focuses on strategic communication for responsible and sustainable organizations, integrating insights from crisis communication, sustainability transitions, and digital transformation. Prof. Wang is the Editor-in-Chief of the Corporate Reputation Review, and serves on the Editorial Boards of Public Relations Review and Business Horizons.

Dr. Denis Šimunović, Academic Associate at the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and a Research Fellow at CECOMS – the Center for Strategic Communication, IULM University (Italy

Dr. Denis Šimunović is an Academic Associate at the University of Zurich, Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), and a Research Fellow at CECOMS – the Center for Strategic Communication, IULM University, Milan. He holds a PhD in Communication, Markets & Society from IULM University. His research examines the role of strategic communication in addressing pressing global challenges, with a particular focus on climate change, science and research communication, and inequality. Denis’s recent projects co-investigate corporate lobbying and environmental journalism, supported by the Climate Social Science Network (Brown University). He co-leads the European Network of Emerging Scholars (EUNES) within EUPRERA and is actively engaged in strengthening academic impact and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between research and practice.

Duration

1 hour

19 November 2025
#EUPRERAtalks – Gender, Freelancing and Flexible Working Schemes in Communication Industries
Gender, Freelancing and Flexible Working Schemes in Communication Industries

Date and Time: Thursday, 4 December 2025, 15:00 CET

What to expect from the webinar

This edition of #EUPRERAtalks highlights two recent contributions that revisit and expand research on gender, labour, and the evolving nature of communication work: the Emerald edited book Gender and Freelancing in the Communication Industries: Experiences, Practices, and Discourses (Anton & Moise, 2025), and the Corporate Communications: An International Journal (CCIJ) Special Issue on Flexible Working Schemes in Media and Communication Industries: A Shifting Landscape (forthcoming, 2026).

The webinar explores the changing realities of freelance and flexible work in communication, in light of intensified post-pandemic debates on precarity, gender inequalities, autonomy, and hybrid labour. Drawing on research that spans almost 25 years, from early examinations of gendered labour in communication work to the latest debates shaped by platformisation and flexible work regimes, the session revisits existing knowledge and extends it with new empirical and theoretical contributions from the Emerald book and the CCIJ special issue.

Some of the topics that will be addressed are:

  • How freelancing and flexible work have been theorised over two distinct waves of communication research (2000s vs 2020s)
  • Why gender’s influence on autonomy, visibility, and career mobility remains structurally persistent
  • How flexible work is both opportunity and trap: a pathway to independence and a site of intensified precarity
  • The implications for organisational policy, public relations education, feminist labour studies, and professional identity formation
  • Insights from longitudinal and comparative research from Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye, UK, USA.

Speakers

 

Ralph Tench, Director of Research, Leeds Business School, United Kingdom

Ralph Tench is Director of Research at Leeds Business School in the United Kingdom and a former President of EUPRERA. His research involves internationally funded projects from the private sector, the European Union, and research councils. He is author of Europe’s best-selling textbook on strategic communication, “Exploring Public Relations and Management Communication” (5th ed., Pearson).

Anca Anton, Associate Professor, University of Bucharest, Romania

Anca Anton is Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest (Romania), where she teaches public relations, marketing and corporate communication, and sustainability communication. Her research focuses on professional well-being, AI-mediated communication, PR education, freelancing, and media CSR. She organises the FuturePR International Student Competition, co-leads the EUPRERA Education Network and serves as EUPRERA Director of Public Relations and Administration.

Kailey Thompson, doctoral researcher in Communication, University of Alabama, USA

Kailey Thompson is a doctoral researcher in Communication at the University of Alabama (USA). Her work explores gender, leadership, and empowerment in the public relations profession, with a focus on how women navigate and challenge structural barriers within academia and industry.

Moderator – Martina Topić-Rutherford, Associate Professor of Public Relations Leadership, University of Alabama, USA

Martina Topić-Rutherford is Associate Professor of Public Relations Leadership at the University of Alabama (USA) and a leading scholar in behavioural sociology and mass communication. She is Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Communications: An International Journal and the Northern Lights journal, and leads the EUPRERA network Women in PR. Her recent books include Workplace Culture in Mass Communication Industries (Routledge, 2023) and Women in the Media in Capitalism and Socialism: An Ecofeminist Inquiry (Emerald, 2023).

Duration

1 hour

17 November 2025
European Communication Monitor 2025/26 Report now available!

The European Communication Monitor (ECM) is the world’s longest-running and largest academic study on corporate communications.

In its 2025/26 edition, the study once again applies its innovative research design: interviewing a random sample of 30 chief communication officers (CCOs) from the 300 largest companies headquartered in Europe – among them Allianz, Bayer, DHL, Carrefour, Heineken, Ferrero, Generali, Henkel, L’Oréal, Novo Nordisk, BBVA, Orange, and WPP.

The experiences and perspectives of these top leaders provide unique insights into three pressing challenges in strategic communication, all examined through the lens of intergenerational diversity:

  1. Values-based corporate positioning

  2. Strategic talent management in communication departments

  3. Coaching as a leadership imperative for CCOs

The study is conducted by six renowned professors from universities across Europe and supported by leading industry associations. It meets the highest standards of scientific independence and rigour.

The full ECM 2025/26 Report (PDF, 44 pp.) is available free of charge at www.communicationmonitor.eu
Communication in times of generational diversity

Business and society are being reshaped by demographic change, digitalisation, and new social expectations. Five different generations now coexist in many workplaces, each with its own values, working styles, and expectations. This diversity creates both opportunities and challenges for business and communication leaders.

The European Communication Monitor 2025/26 explores how CCOs respond to these dynamics, offering practical guidance for navigating today’s volatile environment. The study highlights that corporate communications must go beyond traditional message control and instead embrace intergenerational diversity as a resource. Leaders are encouraged to co-create strategies with employees and stakeholders across age groups, fostering alignment and trust in increasingly fragmented environments.

Three areas where CCOs face intergenerational challenges

The ECM 2025/26 study identifies three areas that will shape the future of strategic communication and require specific attention. These areas produce considerable intergenerational challenges which CCOs have to navigate. The topics investigated in each annual edition of the ECM are rooted in interdisciplinary debates, scientific research, and the results of rigorous pretests.

1) Positioning organisations through values

“Values are no longer static statements in mission documents. We found CCOs increasingly treat values as ‘living constructs’ which are adaptable, negotiated, and continuously reinterpreted across contexts” says Professor Stefania Romeni from IULM University, Milan. Values-based positioning is becoming a critical tool for maintaining trust and cohesion across generational divides. The study recommends five priorities for CCOs:

  • Ensuring performativity of values
  • Aligning internal and external narratives
  • Designing flexible messaging frameworks
  • Integrating listening tools
  • Leveraging generational diversity as a strategic resource
2) Managing and retaining top talent

“Attracting and retaining ‘A-communicators’ – those who are high-potential communication professionals – is a growing challenge, especially with millennials and Generation Z,” says Professor Ángeles Moreno, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid. “Effective talent strategies go beyond recruitment to building inclusive cultures that reflect corporate values and create visible business impact.” The report outlines how CCOs emphasise development programmes, cross-functional experiences, and personalised career paths to meet diverse generational expectations. The study recommends five aspects to consider:

  • Combine people-centric and position-based approaches to align talent and function with business goals
  • Promote internal talent as a competitive advantage by offering opportunities and visibility to top performers
  • Encourage hybrid profiles that blend creativity and business acumen, and foster adaptable leadership across generations
  • Tailor Employer Value Propositions (EVPs) and career paths to meet diverse generational expectations
  • Reinforce communication as a strategic, cross-functional career path linked to measurable results
3) Coaching as a strategic imperative

“Coaching is no longer seen as a tool for performance enhancement alone, but as a central leadership philosophy.” says Professor Ralph Tench, Leeds Beckett University. “Our study shows how CCOs act as strategic coaches – for their teams, peers, and even CEOs – to nurture leadership capacity and organisational resilience.” Inclusive, situational coaching styles that reject generational stereotypes prove most effective. Key success factors discussed in the report include:

  • Treating coaching as a long-term strategy to build future leadership capacity
  • Adapting coaching styles to individual needs and contexts, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches
  • Using peer and reverse coaching to foster cross-generational learning and innovation
  • Leveraging coaching to reinforce organisational values and align leadership behaviours
  • Demonstrating the value of coaching with robust evaluation and impact metrics
A unique study with robust scientific design

Unlike industry surveys, the ECM is based on an elite sample of CCOs from the Top 300 companies in Europe. It applies a rigorous mix of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, conducted by six independent professors: Ralph Tench (UK), Ángeles Moreno (Spain), Stefania Romeni (Italy), Alexander Buhmann (Norway), Aurélie Laborde (France), and Ansgar Zerfass (Germany).

The ECM is in its 19th year and is organised by EUPRERA and supported by leading networks of communication leaders including the Academic Society for Management & Communication, CECOMS (Italy), #NORA – The Nordic Alliance for Communication & Management, Dircom (Spain), Entreprises et Médias (France), with Fink & Fuchs designing the report and website.

Looking ahead

The ECM 2025/26 provides unique insights into how Europe’s communication leaders address intergenerational challenges in positioning, talent, and coaching. By exploring challenges faced at the organisational, departmental, and individual levels, the study shows pathways to strengthen communication as a driver of corporate and societal transformation.

About the European Communication Monitor

The European Communication Monitor (ECM), launched in 2007, has over the past decades grown into the largest and longest-running collaborative research project in the field of corporate communications globally. It is organised by a group of professors who are world-renowned researchers in the discipline. Past study reports have been downloaded more than 230,000 times, and peer-reviewed journal articles based on the study have received multiple awards worldwide. A book highlighting the pillars of communication excellence derived from the findings is available in several languages, including English, Chinese, and Spanish.

In 2024, the ECM entered a new phase. The study design has been refined to focus exclusively on corporate communications and to interview an elite sample of communication leaders representing the 300 top companies across Europe. The quality and neutrality of the study are guaranteed by a strong team of partners. A research team of six professors from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Nordic countries covers different business cultures and languages across key markets.

The non-commercial study is organised within the framework of the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA). It is supported by five initiatives representing communication directors of major businesses across Europe: the Academic Society for Management & Communication (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), CECOMS (Italy), #NORA (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark), Dircom (Spain), and Entreprises & Médias (France).

About the survey organiser

The European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) is an autonomous organisation with nearly 500 members from 40 countries. Its mission is to enhance and promote innovation in the knowledge, research, education and practice of public relations and strategic communication. Through its membership of universities and other research associations and bodies, EUPRERA is a global leader on high-profile transnational research projects and networks. More than 200,000 scholars and practitioners can potentially be reached through its extended communication channels and partnership arrangements.

Download the Report / Download the Press release
15 November 2025
EUPRERA webinar (members-only) – Using AI in Research: From Boundary Spanner to Co-Researcher
Using AI in Research: From Boundary Spanner to Co-Researcher

Date and Time: Thursday, November 20, 13:00-14:30 CET

What to expect from the webinar

This members-only webinar introduces practical approaches to integrating AI into academic research workflows: from conceptual framing and literature structuring to tool-enabled data exploration and writing support. The session considers how AI can function both as a boundary spanner (connecting perspectives, methods, and literatures) and as a co-researcher (contributing to ideation, design, and refinement).

Alongside live demonstrations of workflows and tools (including ChatGPT and complementary platforms), the session will open up questions of reproducibility, tool selection, and researcher responsibility. Participant testing is encouraged.

The webinar link has been sent to members via the newsletter.

Speakers

Dr. Ana Adi, Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Quadriga University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Dr. Ana Adi is a Professor of Public Relations/Corporate Communication at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, the chair of the Digital Communication Awards, and the host of the Women in PR podcast (on SoundCloud, iTunes, and more). Dr. Adi’s research focuses on identifying solutions for the professionalisation and future-proofing of PR/Comms, including identifying their social impact and social value. She also speaks about artificial intelligence in PR workflows and research, measurement and evaluation of communication, and storytelling. Originally from Romania, Dr. Adi obtained her doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland (UK) and has studied and worked and taught in the USA, UK, Belgium, Thailand and Bahrain. Learn more about Dr. Adi’s work here: www.anaadi.net

Dr. Melanie Baier, Professor of Data Science in Business Economics, Quadriga University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Melanie Baier studied economics at TU Dresden, specialising in innovation economics, game theory, and managerial economics, where she also earned her doctorate. In addition to her teaching activities, Melanie worked for several years in the field of applied innovation research and product development as part of strategic innovation projects. She is a professor of data science in business economics at Quadriga University Berlin. Her research interests focus on recent data analysis methods for economic and business applications and, in particular, on how explainable AI (XAI) can help overcome reservations about AI solutions in business functional areas and promote the responsible and informed use of AI solutions through better data and AI literacy.

Duration

90 minutes

30 October 2025
#EUPRERAtalks – Beyond the Divide: Co-Evolving Academia and Practice in the Age of Digital Transformation
Beyond the Divide: Co-Evolving Academia and Practice in the Age of Digital Transformation

Date and Time: November 14, 2025, 13:00 (CET)

What to expect from the webinar

In a rapidly changing communication landscape, professionals and academics alike face the challenge of staying relevant, adaptive, and reflective. The boundaries between theory and practice are increasingly blurred: digital transformation, new technologies, and evolving stakeholder expectations demand that both scholars and practitioners engage in a continuous dialogue.

This webinar invites participants to explore how academic research can better address the real challenges practitioners encounter, and how professional environments can, in turn, inform, enrich, and transform academic work.

Through an open discussion guided by three core questions, 1) how to integrate professional challenges into teaching and research, 2) what academia can learn from organisations undergoing transformation, and 3) what mutual benefits arise from stronger academia-practice ties, this session aims to foster a deeper understanding of collaboration as a source of innovation.

The conversation will highlight examples of co-created research, practice-based learning, and partnerships that have generated meaningful impact on both sides. It will also reflect on the structural and cultural conditions that can enable or hinder such collaborations, from institutional incentives to shared methodological languages.

Ultimately, the webinar seeks to encourage a regenerative relationship between academia and practice, one that moves beyond knowledge transfer to embrace co-creation, mutual learning, and the development of transformative capabilities for the future of public relations and strategic communication.

This webinar is also part of the new Digital Transformations subseries within #EUPRERAtalks, initiated by Grazia Murtarelli, who leads the Digital Transformation and Public Relations thematic network of EUPRERA.

Speakers

Ana Adi, Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Quadriga University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Dr Ana Adi is a Professor of Public Relations/Corporate Communication at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, the chair of the Digital Communication Awards, and the host of the Women in PR podcast (on SoundCloud, iTunes, and more). Dr Adi’s research focuses on identifying solutions for the professionalisation and future-proofing of PR/Comms, including identifying their social impact and social value. She also speaks about artificial intelligence in PR workflows and research, measurement and evaluation of communication, and storytelling. Originally from Romania, Dr Adi obtained her doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland (UK) and has studied and worked and taught in the USA, UK, Belgium, Thailand and Bahrain. Learn more about Dr Adi’s work here: www.anaadi.net

Isabella Brusati, Organizational Change Management Consultant and Strategist, Isabella Brusati & Associates, Italy

Isabella Brusati is an organisational change management consultant and strategist. She is an accredited executive coach (EMCC senior practitioner) and systemic team coach. With 20+ years working across complex transformations—digital, ERP, AI, culture, M&A—she supports CXOs, CHROs, PMOs, and Heads of Transformation to get people on board twice as fast, with less resistance and fewer delays. Isabella supports clients:
• Building a rock-solid case for change
• Turning resistant employees into engaged participants
• Coaching senior leaders to lead from the front
• Aligning change strategy with measurable business outcomes
• Protecting ROI, whilst accelerating the pace of change
She has led change programs in global companies, and clients include Google, L’Oréal, Unilever, ABB and Amadeus. She is a Prosci-certified instructor, guest lecturer and keynote speaker. Isabella is ranked among the top 15 coaches in Milan.

Moderator: Grazia Murtarelli, Associate Professor in Strategic Communication, IULM University, Italy

Grazia Murtarelli, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Corporate Communication at IULM University in Milan, where she has coordinated the Master’s Degree Program in Strategic Communication since 2024. From 2018 to 2024, she served as Rector’s Delegate for Sport, overseeing the university’s strategic sports development. Her research focuses on digital communication, corporate public relations, and strategic communication management, with particular expertise in the intersections of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and corporate reputation. She has contributed to international research projects on AI ethics, organisational legitimacy, and digital transformation as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Huddersfield and a Visiting Fellow at Leeds Beckett University. She teaches Digital Communication Management and Public Relations at undergraduate and graduate levels, with a focus on AI-powered communication, data-driven storytelling, and digital content governance. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the International University of Monaco (IUM) in the Master’s Program in Luxury Management. In addition to her academic work, she collaborates with organisations on social media governance, API-based intelligence frameworks, sentiment analysis models, and corporate digital positioning. Her research has been published in leading academic journals and recognised with several awards for contributions to AI ethics, strategic communication, and digital reputation management. She is an active member of several professional associations, including EUPRERA (where she leads the Digital Transformation and PR network), ICA, SIM, and SIMA.

Duration

1 hour

29 October 2025
Call for Papers – The International History of Public Relations Conference (IHPRC 2026)

The 14th International History of Public Relations Conference (IHPRC 2026) will be held on 22–23 June 2026 at Bournemouth University, UK, hosted by the Faculty of Media & Communication.

Since its launch in 2010, IHPRC has established itself as the leading international event dedicated to exploring the history of public relations and related disciplines. The conference has brought together scholars from around the world and has played a key role in advancing academic publishing in PR history through journals and research books.

Conference themes

Academics, practitioners, and research students are invited to submit competitive abstracts (maximum two pages) for presentation. IHPRC 2026 welcomes contributions addressing historical and theoretical dimensions of public relations, including but not limited to:

  • The history of public relations and its developing or diverging relationships with other disciplines such as marketing, HR, legal and corporate governance
  • The historiography of public relations and the application of historical theories and interpretations to the history of PR; alternative and unheard histories and herstories; archaeological methodologies and theoretical analyses
  • History of the PR/Communication departments of organisations
  • Alternative approaches to the history of public relations, e.g. on the basis of culture or via definitions of public relations
  • The public relations of dissent and activism; historical analysis of public relations in activist and non-profit campaigns
  • The evolution of public relations theory(ies) over time; the history of schools of thinking in public relations
  • The formation of industry and professional bodies and their impact on public relations practice and education; professionalisation of public relations
  • The ethics of public relations and its discussion over time
Submission deadline: 16 February 2026

More information: https://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/historyofpr/

 

28 October 2025
Call for Papers – BledCom 2026: Disaster, Health, and Organizational Crisis Communication

The 33rd International Public Relations Research Symposium, BledCom 2026, will take place on 26-27 June 2026 in Bled, Slovenia.

The BledCom symposium is an annual gathering of scholars and practitioners in public relations and related disciplines to discuss contemporary communication and management challenges.

The keynote speaker for this symposium will be W. Timothy Coombs, an adviser to the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications, Canada, and a leading global authority on crisis communication.

This year’s theme, “Disaster, Health, and Organizational Crisis Communication”, invites scholars and practitioners to explore how communication shapes understanding, trust, and resilience in times of crisis.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Communication in disasters and public health emergencies
  • Crisis leadership, trust, and reputation
  • Organisational preparedness and resilience
  • Ethics, transparency, and global collaboration
  • Stakeholder activism and cancel culture
  • Misinformation and disinformation challenges
  • The influence of culture on crisis communication
  • Emotional, moral, and rational dimensions of stakeholder response
Deadlines and Dates
  • Submit abstracts (500-800 words) or panel proposals by 3 February 2026. Abstracts may align with the theme or address any topic relevant to public relations and communication management.
  • Notification of acceptance after peer review: March 3, 2026 
  • Full papers (up to 6,000 words): due September 15, 2026, for inclusion in conference proceedings

More information: https://www.bledcom.com/bledcom-2026-call-for-papers

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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