Public Affairs and Lobbying

Public affairs is a clearly identified communication specialism practiced by increasing numbers of professionals across Europe. It is frequently associated with lobbying, which is an important sub-function of public affairs. But modern public affairs is centred on the wider management of relationships, organising campaigns and the building of discursive communities across a range of stakeholder networks in order to influence any issue that may have legislative or regulatory policy implications. As such EUPRERA is a natural home for building this network. However, academic PR has failed to fully assert a leading role in public affairs research, and many studies of PA and lobbying in Europe are often produced by scholars from other fields who have not sought to build theory or draw out implications specifically for PR in their work. None the less, there are a good number of scholars across Europe who have been working on projects relevant to this field. The aim is to build the first active academic network of PR scholars interested in public affairs in Europe.

Network leader

Dr Scott Davidson
University of Leicester, UK
sd310@leicester.ac.uk

How can EUPRERA members join the network?

Any member of EUPRERA with a research interest in public affairs and lobbying. The network welcomes and encourages scholars from diverse methodological backgrounds to participate. To join the network, please contact the network leader Dr Scott Davidson (sd310@leicester.ac.uk).