[ecrea] new book: Power, Diversity and Public Relations

Members may be interested in Power, Diversity and Public Relations, just 
published by Routledge and available to order here: 
http://www.routledge.com/u/PDPR/.

Power, Diversity and Public Relations addresses the lack of diversity in 
PR by revealing the ways in which power operates within the occupation 
to construct archetypal practitioner identities, occupational belonging 
and exclusion. It explores the ways in which the field is normatively 
constructed through discourse, and examines how the experiences of 
practitioners whose ethnicity and class differ from the ‘typical’ PR 
background, shape alternative understandings of the occupation and their 
place within it.

The book applies theoretical perspectives ranging from Bourdieuvian and 
occupational sociology to postcolonial and critical race theory, to a 
variety of empirical data from the UK PR industry. Diversity emerges as 
a product of the dialectics between occupational structures, norms and 
practitioners’ reactions to those constraints; it follows that improving 
diversity is best understood as an exercise in democracy, where all 
practitioner voices are heard, valued, and encompass the potential for 
change.

The text will be essential reading for researchers and advanced-level 
students in Public Relations, Communications, Media Studies, Promotional 
Industries, as well as all scholars interested in the sociology of race 
and work relations.

'In this fascinating study, Edwards ventures far and wide, drawing on a 
sophisticated array of social and cultural theorists to critically 
dissect the PR profession. She thus pushes PR scholarship far beyond its 
comfort zone and into exciting and challenging new directions.' - Aeron 
Davis, Professor, Goldsmiths University of London, UK

'Lee Edwards makes a mark as a major sociologist of public relations 
with this stimulating and challenging book on diversity (or the lack of 
it) in the profession. Skilfully integrating theory and practice, she 
offers an incisive analysis of race, racism, and identity politics in a 
field where such issues are usually hidden away in the margins.' - 
Debashish Munshi, Professor, The University of Waikato, New Zealand

'Dr Edwards' book makes a series of important contributions and provides 
a cultural and institutional history of the development of public 
relations as an emblematic profession for our times. It engages in a 
sophisticated and personal way with leading gender, critical race and 
diversity theories, locating these debates in the contemporary 
reorganization of professional occupations, and of the political economy 
more broadly. And all of this is delivered through a clear and very 
compelling narrative.' - Daniel Muzio, Professor, Newcastle University, UK



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