A former journalist, I have held senior roles in marketing and public relations in both the public and private sectors, as well as working in television production and running my own communications consultancy.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on health services in Wales and acros... more The outbreak of COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on health services in Wales and across the world. At the same time, coverage of the outbreak is essential, and there is a great demand from media organisations and their audiences to receive information about the outbreak and its frontline. This can put additional pressures on health care organisations and staff and may in certain cases interfere with their operations in dealing with the outbreak. This document has been prepared by Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Cardiff University, to support the work of the Welsh NHS Confederation. It draws on input from leading academics, journalists and PR practitioners (full list of contributors on p. 9). The document provides a number of suggestions for media organisations designed to facilitate coverage in and around healthcare facilities in Wales. The experts involved in preparing this document are independent from the NHS, and the document does not reflect official NHS policy. Here...
Applying Academic Public Relations to Professional Practice;
Do Employers Value Public Relations... more Applying Academic Public Relations to Professional Practice;
Do Employers Value Public Relations Degrees?
In his 2008 conference paper for Power and Place, Australian communications academic Mark Sheehan argues that (p3) “while employers may want the traditional academic traits that a university delivers, they also want graduates with knowledge of current practice.” His argument, reiterated by Tench & Fawkes (2004), sums up the current predominant tension in the teaching of Public Relations at universities; that of the need to produce graduates who already possess practical Public Relations skills for employment, while maintaining sufficient theoretical and analytical programme content to make Public Relations programmes genuinely academic.
This report therefore investigates the attributes of academic Public Relations education and employers attitudes towards PR education at university. Education is a dominant feature of most definitions of what constitutes a profession (L’Etang, 2002), yet the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and other high profile employers are frequently quoted in the press maligning the value of a PR degree. For example, Cartmell’s (2009) article Agency heads unconvinced by PR degrees, Francis (2009) “we don't need PR degrees, we need PR apprenticeships” and Cowlett (1997) “employers are not impressed by PR degrees.” Many state that they view the academic and theoretical framework of a Public Relations university education as irrelevant. At the same time research undertaken by Tench & Fawkes (2004) indicates that 85% of PR graduates from Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) accredited courses obtain employment within six months of leaving university.
Is it therefore the case that employers really do reject Public Relations education at university, or just a case of bad Public Relations from the sector? This report explores this issue by reviewing the published literature dealing with Public Relations education and undertakes primary research into the views of a group of employers, Public Relations educators and current undergraduates to determine the value of Public Relations degrees to the stakeholders involved.
How can the study of semiotics help us to better understand public relations practice?
This p... more How can the study of semiotics help us to better understand public relations practice?
This paper will examine how the study of semiotics can help us to better understand public relations practice. It will define semiotics as a concept then describe the context and processes that the study of semiotics entails, before arguing that the principles and practice of semiotic analysis assist public relations practitioners by making them more aware of receiver perspectives of images and messages transmitted.
It will then demonstrate the process of semiotic approaches applied to public relations practice by analysing a 2007 advertising campaign for Tom Ford Fragrance.
What is the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and how does it relate to the managemen... more What is the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and how does it relate to the management of an organisation’s reputation?
This paper will explore the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and examine how it relates to managing an organisation’s reputation. It will discuss academic definitions of what rhetorical practice entails alongside Heath’s controversial view that all public relations is rhetorical persuasion. Alternative arguments will be examined alongside practical examples of how rhetoric and persuasion are used both positively and counterintuitively to either manage an organisation’s reputation or present it in specific manner.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on health services in Wales and acros... more The outbreak of COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on health services in Wales and across the world. At the same time, coverage of the outbreak is essential, and there is a great demand from media organisations and their audiences to receive information about the outbreak and its frontline. This can put additional pressures on health care organisations and staff and may in certain cases interfere with their operations in dealing with the outbreak. This document has been prepared by Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Cardiff University, to support the work of the Welsh NHS Confederation. It draws on input from leading academics, journalists and PR practitioners (full list of contributors on p. 9). The document provides a number of suggestions for media organisations designed to facilitate coverage in and around healthcare facilities in Wales. The experts involved in preparing this document are independent from the NHS, and the document does not reflect official NHS policy. Here...
Applying Academic Public Relations to Professional Practice;
Do Employers Value Public Relations... more Applying Academic Public Relations to Professional Practice;
Do Employers Value Public Relations Degrees?
In his 2008 conference paper for Power and Place, Australian communications academic Mark Sheehan argues that (p3) “while employers may want the traditional academic traits that a university delivers, they also want graduates with knowledge of current practice.” His argument, reiterated by Tench & Fawkes (2004), sums up the current predominant tension in the teaching of Public Relations at universities; that of the need to produce graduates who already possess practical Public Relations skills for employment, while maintaining sufficient theoretical and analytical programme content to make Public Relations programmes genuinely academic.
This report therefore investigates the attributes of academic Public Relations education and employers attitudes towards PR education at university. Education is a dominant feature of most definitions of what constitutes a profession (L’Etang, 2002), yet the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and other high profile employers are frequently quoted in the press maligning the value of a PR degree. For example, Cartmell’s (2009) article Agency heads unconvinced by PR degrees, Francis (2009) “we don't need PR degrees, we need PR apprenticeships” and Cowlett (1997) “employers are not impressed by PR degrees.” Many state that they view the academic and theoretical framework of a Public Relations university education as irrelevant. At the same time research undertaken by Tench & Fawkes (2004) indicates that 85% of PR graduates from Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) accredited courses obtain employment within six months of leaving university.
Is it therefore the case that employers really do reject Public Relations education at university, or just a case of bad Public Relations from the sector? This report explores this issue by reviewing the published literature dealing with Public Relations education and undertakes primary research into the views of a group of employers, Public Relations educators and current undergraduates to determine the value of Public Relations degrees to the stakeholders involved.
How can the study of semiotics help us to better understand public relations practice?
This p... more How can the study of semiotics help us to better understand public relations practice?
This paper will examine how the study of semiotics can help us to better understand public relations practice. It will define semiotics as a concept then describe the context and processes that the study of semiotics entails, before arguing that the principles and practice of semiotic analysis assist public relations practitioners by making them more aware of receiver perspectives of images and messages transmitted.
It will then demonstrate the process of semiotic approaches applied to public relations practice by analysing a 2007 advertising campaign for Tom Ford Fragrance.
What is the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and how does it relate to the managemen... more What is the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and how does it relate to the management of an organisation’s reputation?
This paper will explore the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and examine how it relates to managing an organisation’s reputation. It will discuss academic definitions of what rhetorical practice entails alongside Heath’s controversial view that all public relations is rhetorical persuasion. Alternative arguments will be examined alongside practical examples of how rhetoric and persuasion are used both positively and counterintuitively to either manage an organisation’s reputation or present it in specific manner.
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Do Employers Value Public Relations Degrees?
In his 2008 conference paper for Power and Place, Australian communications academic Mark Sheehan argues that (p3) “while employers may want the traditional academic traits that a university delivers, they also want graduates with knowledge of current practice.” His argument, reiterated by Tench & Fawkes (2004), sums up the current predominant tension in the teaching of Public Relations at universities; that of the need to produce graduates who already possess practical Public Relations skills for employment, while maintaining sufficient theoretical and analytical programme content to make Public Relations programmes genuinely academic.
This report therefore investigates the attributes of academic Public Relations education and employers attitudes towards PR education at university. Education is a dominant feature of most definitions of what constitutes a profession (L’Etang, 2002), yet the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and other high profile employers are frequently quoted in the press maligning the value of a PR degree. For example, Cartmell’s (2009) article Agency heads unconvinced by PR degrees, Francis (2009) “we don't need PR degrees, we need PR apprenticeships” and Cowlett (1997) “employers are not impressed by PR degrees.” Many state that they view the academic and theoretical framework of a Public Relations university education as irrelevant. At the same time research undertaken by Tench & Fawkes (2004) indicates that 85% of PR graduates from Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) accredited courses obtain employment within six months of leaving university.
Is it therefore the case that employers really do reject Public Relations education at university, or just a case of bad Public Relations from the sector? This report explores this issue by reviewing the published literature dealing with Public Relations education and undertakes primary research into the views of a group of employers, Public Relations educators and current undergraduates to determine the value of Public Relations degrees to the stakeholders involved.
http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/policy-resources/students/studyhub/diploma/specimen-assignment-answers
as an example of best practice in Public Relations
This paper will examine how the study of semiotics can help us to better understand public relations practice. It will define semiotics as a concept then describe the context and processes that the study of semiotics entails, before arguing that the principles and practice of semiotic analysis assist public relations practitioners by making them more aware of receiver perspectives of images and messages transmitted.
It will then demonstrate the process of semiotic approaches applied to public relations practice by analysing a 2007 advertising campaign for Tom Ford Fragrance.
This paper will explore the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and examine how it relates to managing an organisation’s reputation. It will discuss academic definitions of what rhetorical practice entails alongside Heath’s controversial view that all public relations is rhetorical persuasion. Alternative arguments will be examined alongside practical examples of how rhetoric and persuasion are used both positively and counterintuitively to either manage an organisation’s reputation or present it in specific manner.
Do Employers Value Public Relations Degrees?
In his 2008 conference paper for Power and Place, Australian communications academic Mark Sheehan argues that (p3) “while employers may want the traditional academic traits that a university delivers, they also want graduates with knowledge of current practice.” His argument, reiterated by Tench & Fawkes (2004), sums up the current predominant tension in the teaching of Public Relations at universities; that of the need to produce graduates who already possess practical Public Relations skills for employment, while maintaining sufficient theoretical and analytical programme content to make Public Relations programmes genuinely academic.
This report therefore investigates the attributes of academic Public Relations education and employers attitudes towards PR education at university. Education is a dominant feature of most definitions of what constitutes a profession (L’Etang, 2002), yet the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and other high profile employers are frequently quoted in the press maligning the value of a PR degree. For example, Cartmell’s (2009) article Agency heads unconvinced by PR degrees, Francis (2009) “we don't need PR degrees, we need PR apprenticeships” and Cowlett (1997) “employers are not impressed by PR degrees.” Many state that they view the academic and theoretical framework of a Public Relations university education as irrelevant. At the same time research undertaken by Tench & Fawkes (2004) indicates that 85% of PR graduates from Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) accredited courses obtain employment within six months of leaving university.
Is it therefore the case that employers really do reject Public Relations education at university, or just a case of bad Public Relations from the sector? This report explores this issue by reviewing the published literature dealing with Public Relations education and undertakes primary research into the views of a group of employers, Public Relations educators and current undergraduates to determine the value of Public Relations degrees to the stakeholders involved.
http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/policy-resources/students/studyhub/diploma/specimen-assignment-answers
as an example of best practice in Public Relations
This paper will examine how the study of semiotics can help us to better understand public relations practice. It will define semiotics as a concept then describe the context and processes that the study of semiotics entails, before arguing that the principles and practice of semiotic analysis assist public relations practitioners by making them more aware of receiver perspectives of images and messages transmitted.
It will then demonstrate the process of semiotic approaches applied to public relations practice by analysing a 2007 advertising campaign for Tom Ford Fragrance.
This paper will explore the role of rhetoric in public relations practice and examine how it relates to managing an organisation’s reputation. It will discuss academic definitions of what rhetorical practice entails alongside Heath’s controversial view that all public relations is rhetorical persuasion. Alternative arguments will be examined alongside practical examples of how rhetoric and persuasion are used both positively and counterintuitively to either manage an organisation’s reputation or present it in specific manner.