[ecrea] Defence, Diplomacy & Development - (Re)Shaping Societies: Global Tasks,for Public Relations in the 21st Century

*Defence, Diplomacy & Development - (Re)Shaping Societies: Global Tasks
for Public Relations in the 21st Century*

*Monday 4th July, 2016*

*London College of Communication, University of the Arts London*

The aim of this conference is to bring together strategic communicators
working in civil society and academics to explore and discuss the role
of public relations theory and practice in shaping emerging and existing
societies. In recent years some public relations scholars have adopted a
sociological perspective on strategic communication. This view sees the
discipline as actively constructing and structuring the world in
alignment with a number of structural forces - often corporate,
governmental or state-based.

Such theories draw on a socially constructed epistemology (Heide, 2009;
Ihlen and van Ruler, 2009) through which strategic communications
practice “produce[s] a common social reality” (Heide, 2009: 43).
Applications of these sociological analyses have tended to operate
either at a theoretical level (Ihlen et al, 2009) or from a distinct
critical perspective, employing concepts such as discourse theory or
adopting readings of public relations as a cultural intermediary
(Hodges, 2006).

The aim of this conference is to move beyond studies of what could be
considered meso-level activities, such as marketing or corporate
communication campaigns (Ihlen and van Ruler, 2009: 3) to focus
scholarly attention on, arguably, macro-level communications activity
and the ways it is responsible for shaping the values and norms of
societies.  In particular we are interested in understanding how the
increasingly professionalised and globalised discipline of public
relations (Freitag and Stokes, 2009; Gannon and Pillai, 2013) shapes
emerging societies in post-conflict or transitional environments. To
advance such interests we have devised three thematic strands for the
conference:

•             Defence: how are the military and intelligence agencies
using communication strategically to prepare for, manage and embed
specific state-focused or governmental aims? For example, how are
'information ops' deployed to destabilise hostile regimes; how is public
relations used to communicate with civilians in conflict or
post-conflict zones; how can strategic communications be used for
coalition-building among local stakeholders (politicians, tribal elders,
aid agencies, etc)?

•             Diplomacy - what communication strategies adopted by
governments or inter-governmental organisations, such as the UN or NATO,
are used to achieve opinion or behaviour change? This could include
studies of inter-governmental lobbying for policy or regime change; the
role of social media in engaging civilians as part of 'public diplomacy'
campaigns; how can strategic communication - both interpersonal and
external – be used in negotiation situations, e.g. terrorism,
back-channel diplomacy, peace negotiations, etc?

•             Development - how is public relations used by stakeholders
in supporting social development? This could include direct
public-facing activity by NGOs and aid agencies, such as in-region
public health awareness campaigns, the use of public relations in
lobbying for aid budgets and aid programmes. Also, what role does PR
play in higher ideas around progress, social integration, peace and
social justice.

Although these themes lend themselves to the 'global tasks' facing
public relations, we are also interested in receiving submissions about
public relations' role in shaping established societal frameworks -
providing they cover some of the main issues raised above.

*Call for papers*

We welcome submissions that adopt a critical as well as functional
account of public relations in the above contexts. The overarching aim
of the conference is to encourage collaboration and partnership between
practitioners and academics to develop new thinking across the field. We
encourage challenging and thought-provoking proposals from individuals,
groups or organisations. The best papers will be selected to go for
review by the Journal of Communication Management who will publish a
Special Issue in support of the Conference.  To submit a paper for
presentation at the conference, please email abstracts (300-500 words)
to (prglobaltasks /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(prglobaltasks /at/ gmail.com)>.

The deadline for abstract submission is 15th February 2016.

Full details are available at http://www.networkforprandsociety.com.

Gloria Walker, ABC, FRSA,CertGA

Consultant in Strategic Communication

52 Melbury Avenue

Southall, Middlesex  UB2 4HT

United Kingdom

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