Organisations more cautious about taking public positions compared to five years ago CIPR's 2026 State of the Profession report reveals

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:25:00 +0100

New research published in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations' (CIPR) State of the Profession report finds that just under half of professionals (48%) say the risks of taking public stances outweigh the benefits while a similar number say their organisation faces more pressure to comment on controversial topics than previously (47%). Just shy of two-fifths say taking a clear public position has strengthened their organisation’s reputation.

Private sector practitioners (63%) are the most likely to report that their organisations are more cautious on taking public positions on issues, while not for profit practitioners (39%) are the least and are more likely to say taking positions has strengthened reputation. Fewer than half of respondents work in organisations with any form of policy or guidance on handling controversial or polarising issues.

The report provides industry-leading insights into the public relations profession following a survey of 738 PR professionals on a range of topics including working hours, industry challenges, activities most commonly undertaken, the use of AI, and the impact of polarisation and controversial topics on the profession.

Other key findings include:

Average full-time income has risen to £64,817, the highest recorded in the State of the Profession series and 22% above the 2024 figure. However, the reported gender pay gap has also risen to £5,539, up from £3,894 in 2024.
A quarter of PR practitioners use AI professionally without any formal AI policy or guidance. 81% believing the skills that make PR professionals valuable cannot be replicated by AI while 76% believe AI-generated content risks damaging trust in public relations.
The biggest identified challenge facing the profession is, for the first time, fake news and disinformation. AI, which ranked top in 2024, is now second.
The majority of professionals say their workplaces are very or extremely inclusive. However, White practitioners are more likely to say this is the case compared to non-White colleagues (72% vs 57%).

Download State of the Profession 2026
Find out more about other CIPR Research

CIPR launches first neuroinclusion training course for managers alongside new neuroinclusion in PR community

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:53:36 +0000

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has today launched a first-of-its-kind neuroinclusion training course designed specifically for PR leaders and managers, alongside a new Neuroinclusion in PR Group on LinkedIn.

The one-day 'Neuroinclusion for Managers' course has been designed to help public relations managers create neuroinclusive teams, manage disclosure conversations and reasonable adjustments, and harness the strengths neurodivergent colleagues bring to strategic thinking and creative problem-solving. The course will equip participants with evidence-based insights, practical management tools, and strategies to build psychologically safe environments where both different thinking and working styles can thrive.

Alongside the training, the Institute’s new Neurodiversity in PR LinkedIn Group provides a supportive space for neurodivergent professionals and allies to connect, share experiences, and discuss how the industry can build more neuroinclusive workplaces and campaigns. The group serves as a companion to the course, offering ongoing peer support and a platform to exchange resources and perspectives that can help normalise and encourage neurodiversity across the profession.

Join the CIPR's Neuroinclusion in PR LinkedIn Group
Learn more about the CIPR Neuroinclusion for Managers training

CIPR Newsroom

Organisations more cautious about taking public positions compared to five years ago CIPR's 2026 State of the Profession report reveals

CIPR launches first neuroinclusion training course for managers alongside new neuroinclusion in PR community