London,
27
August
2015
|
14:51
Europe/London

New ‘community of practice’ launched with goal of bringing public relations academia and practice closer together

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has launched a new community of practice in public relations with the aim of exploring the ways that public relations practitioners and academics can work better together.

Stephen Waddington, CIPR Past President, whose role as Chief Engagement Officer and Partner at Ketchum, and Visiting Professor in Public Relations at the University of Newcastle, offers a unique perspective, is leading the project, and has launched an open Facebook community to explore the lack of collaboration and co-operation between practitioners, teachers and academics.

Stephen will present the results of the discussion at the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) Congress in October 2015 in Oslo, Norway.

Stephen Waddington Chart. PR FCIPR, Chief Engagement Officer at Ketchum & CIPR Past President
A close working relationship between academia and practice is a hallmark of any professional discipline – enhancing real-world practice with research, reflection and theory.

In public relations this relationship is limited, and without the historical perspective and insight provided for by academics, practitioners lack rigour and are limited to trading in simple crafts and tactics.

As a business in the midst of rapid fundamental change, bringing these two communities closer together will be crucial to us realising our future potential.
Stephen Waddington Chart. PR FCIPR, Chief Engagement Officer at Ketchum & CIPR Past President
Notes to editors

Notes to editors

About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).