[csaa-forum] Call for papers: Public relations and power

[Tilley, Elspeth]

CFP: Special edition of PRism: Exploring power and public relations (edited by Jim Mahoney, Marianne Sison & Joy Chia).

Contributors to this special edition of PRism are invited to critically explore the theme "Power and Public Relations." The editors are especially interested in research that examines and theorises public relations that goes beyond its application in the interests of society's so-called power elite. In addition, how are power and public relations interpreted within various global, cultural and political contexts? And how does/can public relations advance the cause of marginalised publics?

These themes might be explored through, but need not be limited to, the following possible topics:


*         What is the nature of power in public relations? How is it exercised? Is it transparent or covert?

*         Is there a difference between "power" and "influence"?

*         Who exercises power in public relations? Where? How? Who legitimises that power?

*         Is public discourse a consequence of the power of public relations?

*         For whom is the power of public relations exercised? Against whom? Can the power of public relations be accessed by everyone in society or is it only the privilege of the wealthy?

*         How does the power of public relations work for marginalised members of society? Does public relations empower them? Does their use of public relations bring them to the mainstream?

*         How do social media empower and give voice to marginalised publics?

*         How do NGOs, community groups and other grassroots organisations access the power of public relations? How do public relations practitioners ensure that all voices are included and heard in public discourses?

*         Do power and public relations have cultural dimensions? How does power play out in global public relations practice? How is power perceived and enacted in different cultural settings? Are practitioners "power brokers" - especially in politics? Are practitioners simply ciphers for powerful dominant coalitions?

*         Is there a conflict between public relations power and corporate social responsibility values? Can public relations' power be used for the common good? Are public relations power and ethics compatible?

*         How do public relations curricula approach issues of power? Do existing curricula focus on public relations' role in pursuing the interests of corporate dominant coalitions at the expense of other groups in society?

Please see http://www.prismjournal.org/powercfp.html for more detail.

*        Submission deadline: 30 November 2011
*        Anticipated publication date: June 2012


Inquiries and submissions for review should be sent to James Mahoney at: james.mahoney at canberra.edu.au<javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('ocknvq,lcogu0ocjqpgaBecpdgttc0gfw0cw');>.



PRism (ISSN 1448-4404) is a free-access, online, peer-refereed public relations and communication research journal.  See http://www.prismjournal.org/homepage.html for more detail.

Follow PRism on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/prism_journal for short timely announcements of postings to the journal site.



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