CIPR

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has established a Research and Development Unit to create a hub for industry and academic research.

The hub will contribute to the development of public relations practice by providing links and access to research for practitioners, students and academics. This will support members who are seeking to contribute to academic and industry research and help to identify and match research needs with funders and providers of research. By bringing together the work of those that practise, teach and research, the Unit will help to build a rich knowledge base.

Commenting on the launch of the Unit, Jay O'Connor, Immediate Past President of the CIPR, says:

As the Chartered body for public relations, the CIPR has a clear and unequivocal commitment to the promotion of study, research and the development of public relations practice. The Unit, supported by a network of volunteers active in research, practice and teaching, will work with the profession to bring together what is a significant body of knowledge about PR practice.

Future plans for the Unit include helping to identify research needs, to match researchers with funds and commissioners of research and to provide a source of support to CIPR members who are considering applying for post-Diploma PR research programmes.

Dr Reginald Watts, Chair of the Unit, says:

Together with those practitioners, consultancies and research organisations that are active in PR research, there are many practitioners and researchers with PhDs in subjects directly related to communications. My hope is that we can mobilise such members, along with others, to shape future practice and to help us to understand the changing communications environment. This is an exciting and timely undertaking by the CIPR. We are committed to bridging the gap between professional and academic research in a way that will be both creative and highly relevant to practice.

The CIPR Research and Development Unit will hold an open meeting in early May for those interested in engaging with or finding out more about its work. Details to be announced.

ENDS

For further information, contact Claire Wheatcroft on 020 7631 6920 or clairew@cipr.co.uk.

About the CIPR Research and Development Unit Working Party

Members include: Dr Sandra Oliver (Emeritus Professor), Dr Jon White (Visiting Professor), Dr Reginald Watts (Business Consultant) and Jay O'Connor (CIPR Immediate Past President).

About the CIPR

The CIPR is the professional body for PR practitioners in the UK. With 9,500 members involved in all aspects of PR, it is the largest body of its type in Europe. The CIPR advances the PR profession in the UK by making its members accountable through a code of conduct, developing policies, representing its members and raising standards through education and training.