[ecrea] CFP ICA pre-conference: Theories of Public Relations

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION
2018 PRECONFERENCE

Theories in Public Relations: Reflections and Future Directions

May 24, 2018, 08:30-16:30, Malá Aula room, Karolinum, Charles University
Ovocný trh 3, Praha 1 - Staré Město, 110 00  Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract Deadline: December 15, 2017

Theme and rationale

The field of public relations has grown in the last thirty years both 
academically and professionally, and is now a specialised, applied 
communication discipline. Most scholars and practitioners would agree 
that public relations is primarily a strategic organizational function 
that nurtures positive relationships with publics and stakeholders for 
organizations of all kinds: private, public, non-profit, activist, 
advocacy etc. However, some have taken a broader view of both public 
relations and the organizations it works for, focusing on their role as 
a source of interventions in social, cultural and political 
environments. As a result, the theoretical landscape of public relations 
has expanded beyond its organizational origins.
Despite increasing theoretical depth, however, recognition of public 
relations as an academic discipline and the quality and significance of 
its theoretical contributions are disputed within and beyond the public 
relations field. Its discrete body of knowledge and stock of theories 
have received little recognition outside the specific disciplinary 
domain. This may be because a universal understanding of the theoretical 
pillars on which the field is grounded is far from achieved.
Public relations scholars tend to agree that this is an 
interdisciplinary field and that many studies in public relations are 
rooted in diverse communication, sociological, cultural, managerial, and 
organizational forms of knowledge. Almost all public relations' 
established theories come from a wider field and/or have borrowed 
concepts and understandings and adapted them to public relations 
questions. Yet, to enjoy greater recognition and academic legitmacy, the 
theoretical contributions of public relations as a field in its own 
right must be able to both stand alone and contribute to fields beyond 
disciplinary boundaries.
In this pre-conference, we propose an  in-depth reflection on the 
quality and significance of theoretical development in public relations 
scholarship. The aim is to discuss and reflect on what might be 
considered current theories of public relations and theories for public 
relations, as well as emerging bodies of work that are changing the 
shape of the field.  We will consider their use, their ability to answer 
research questions of fundamental importance for the profession, their 
relevance to today's global problems, and the exploratory avenues of 
scholarship that could form the basis of new theorizing. Examples of 
questions relevant to this pre-conference are:

. What can be considered a classical or emergent public relations 
theory? . What are the field's grand theories and middle-range theories? 
How do they shape our thinking? . What are the emergent theories that 
can (re)define public relations? . What types of problems has public 
relations addressed and through which theoretical lenses has it 
addressed them? Do these approaches remain adequate? How might they evolve?
. What should be the fundamental research questions which are capable of 
yielding theoretic development?
. Why do public relations theories have limited impact beyond the field? 
. How does public relations theory need to evolve in order to become 
more widely recognized in organizational, media and communication 
scholarship?

At the pre-conference, conceptual and theoretical papers will contribute 
to building a 'big picture' of theory in the public relations field, and 
to discussions about the impact of established and/or emergent theories 
on thinking about public relations problems. Insights based on empirical 
data are welcome if they provide a basis for theoretical and conceptual 
discussions. We welcome a wide range of theoretical perspectives, and we 
aim to ensure a vibrant program that includes both senior and junior 
scholars, representing the whole spectrum of opinions and perspectives 
in the field.
Submission and selection procedure
Submitters should send a two-page abstract, excluding references 
(double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt) in which they clearly state 
their theoretical position related to the preconference theme, as well 
as a clear statement of how the work contributes to the questions posed 
in the call for proposals. Each submission should include a third page 
with a short bio of the author(s). Abstract submission is due by 
December 15, 2017, to Lee Edwards, at (l.edwards2 /at/ lse.ac.uk).
 Acceptance/rejection letters will be sent by January 12, 2018. Authors 
of accepted proposals are required to submit a full paper and a 
presentation prior to the preconference which will be shared with the 
other authors. Authors are expected to attend the pre-conference, 
present in person and prepare some questions for other panellists.
All participants, speakers or not, must register and pay fees. 
Participation fee (including coffee breaks and lunch buffet) is 45 USD 
for presenters and non-presenters. Special hotel rates are available for 
registered participants. To register to this pre-conference, 
participants need to go to www.icahdq.org and register online as part of 
their main ICA conference registration, or as a stand-alone registration.
Following the pre-conference, selected authors and participants will be 
invited to contribute to a peer-reviewed Special Issue of Public 
Relations Inquiry, titled "Theories in Public Relations: Reflections and 
Future Directions" to be published in 2019.
Timeline
. Deadline for abstract submission December 15, 2017
. Acceptance provided by January 12, 2018
. Deadline for submission of full papers and presentations April 22, 2018
. Preconference in Prague, CZ, May 24, 2018
. Invitation for Special Issue in Public Relations Inquiry, July 30, 2018

Location/venue:  Malá Aula room, Karolinum, Charles University, Prague, 
Czech Republic

Division affiliation: Public Relations Division

Pre-conference organizers: Chiara Valentini
Department of Management, BSS, Aarhus University, Denmark
Email: (c.valentini /at/ mgmt.au.dk)

Lee Edwards
Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and 
Political Science, United Kingdom
Email: (l.edwards2 /at/ lse.ac.uk)

Sponsor: The pre-conference is generously sponsored by Public Relations 
Inquiry, a Sage journal. Public Relations Inquiry is an international, 
peer-reviewed forum for conceptual, reflexive and critical discussion on 
public relations. The journal aims to stimulate new research agendas in 
the field of public relations through interdisciplinary engagement and 
to encompass a broad range of theoretical, empirical and methodological 
issues in public and organizational communications in diverse cultural 
contexts.

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