My program of research has focused on analyzing the impact of culture on public relations/corporate communication. In addition, I have also extended my research focus to include the impact of culture on crisis communication. I have done this by studying public relations practices in different parts of the world of not just corporations, a popular trend in our field, but also non-profits and government agencies and IGOs. The outcome of this line of research is represented by many peer-reviewed publications including three edited books that have covered public relations practice in over 60 countries across all continents with collaboration from authors who are scholars as well as practitioners. My program of research has resulted in my being invited to serve as a member of the editorial board of prestigious journals. The Public Relations Review (a premier journal in our field) published an article in January 2021 that reviewed all published research in international public relations between 1983 - 2020 and listed me among the tip five scholars of international public relations. In December, I submitted the manuscript for a book titled: Culture and Crisis Communication: Case Studies from Asia that is under contract with Routledge, New York. I also applied for a Fulbright grant for conducting this research.
keywords
Intercultural Communication, Communication and relationship management, Communication for Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Risk and Crisis communication
APRD 3103 - Public Relations Writing
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Emphasizes communication tactics: How to plan, write, and produce public relations tools; select audience and media; utilize print and electronic media. Focuses on Associated Press style and advanced writing techniques.
APRD 3112 - International Public Relations
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Introduces students to the cultural, social and economic issues relevant to strategic communication in the global arena. Provides students with the foundational tools necessary to both understand and effectively navigate the often complex world of strategic intercultural communication. Specific topics will include exploration of the contextual factors that influence public relations practice in different nations/regions, discussion of the various theoretical models that govern global PR practice and critical evaluation of international PR case studies/campaigns.
APRD 3300 - Crisis Communication in Public Relations
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Explores theories and research related to public relations communication before, during and after a crisis; examines the fundamentals of organizational communication, crisis management and strategic planning.
APRD 3302 - Case Studies in Public Relations
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Designed to help develop and refine critical thinking in selecting, creating and applying tools, techniques and principles of public relations to a variety of managerial cases and problem situations.
APRD 4405 - Strategic Communication Capstone
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Puts into practice knowledge from previous coursework to plan and execute a strategic communication campaign. Students work with others, operating as an agency. Students will develop one or more strategic communication campaigns. In addition, students will practice organizational and leadership skills; design and layout skills; produce a plans book; and pitch the proposed campaigns to the class and the client.
APRD 7001 - ProSeminar in Mass Communication Theory 1
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
Discusses prominent theoretical and methodological points of view in journalism studies and strategic communication that range from social science to critical studies to the humanities. The premise is that methods are driven by research questions, so there is no best way to conduct research. You should leave this course with an understanding of how to address various mass communication phenomena. Same as JRNL 7001.
APRD 7011 - Seminar in Strategic Public Relations
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
Analyzes the various dimensions of public relations based on scholarship. The seminar seeks to expose students to key public relations specialties such as issues management, risk and crisis communication, corporate social responsibility, communication campaigns, public diplomacy. It also aims to train students to recognize public relations as a strategic practice that can contribute significantly to organizational effectiveness and social good. Same as JRNL 7011.
JRNL 7001 - ProSeminar in Mass Communication Theory 1
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
Discusses prominent theoretical and methodological points of view in journalism studies and strategic communication that range from social science to critical studies to the humanities. The premise is that methods are driven by research questions, so there is no best way to conduct research. You should leave this course with an understanding of how to address various mass communication phenomena. Same as APRD 7001.
JRNL 7011 - Seminar in Strategic Public Relations
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020
Analyzes the various dimensions of public relations based on scholarship. The seminar seeks to expose students to key public relations specialties such as issues management, risk and crisis communication, corporate social responsibility, communication campaigns, public diplomacy. It also aims to train students to recognize public relations as a strategic practice that can contribute significantly to organizational effectiveness and social good. Same as APRD 7011.
