Strategic Planning for Public Relations has been a staple in the campaigns textbook carousel through six editions over more than 20 years. This seventh edition has grown substantially from the 344-page premier edition to an extensive 565 pages.
This textbook pitches itself as a choice for upper-level undergraduates and professional master’s degree students in public relations and other strategic communication fields. It meets its intended audience where they are, which is thinking more about how a research methods course relates to the workplace than the maze of philosophical and statistical issues that sometimes predominate this subject.
Adrienne A. Wallace Grand Valley State University Editor-in-Chief Journal of Public Relations Education Email: wallacad@gvsu.edu
As we present the latest issue of the Journal of Public Relations Educator, a common theme emerges across the contributions: the critical role of evolving pedagogical practices in equipping public relations students to meet contemporary challenges. This issue underscores the field’s pressing need to adapt and innovate in response to societal, technological, and ethical transformations often, and lately, in a highly charged political environment.
Several articles emphasize the importance of experiential learning as a cornerstone of public relations education. The study on the PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition explores how such initiatives can provide students with practical, hands-on experiences that align with industry expectations while integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considerations. Similarly, the teaching brief on group work in research methods courses addresses the persistent challenges of collaboration in post-pandemic classrooms, offering motivational strategies to foster engagement and equitable participation.
The themes of ethics and critical thinking are equally prominent. One article delves into the skillsets required for managing (mis/dis)information, stressing the ethical responsibilities of PR professionals in navigating the post-truth era. This contribution highlights the importance of incorporating ethics into curricula and suggests practical strategies for combating disinformation through transparency and proactive communication. Another piece introduces moral entrepreneurship as a pedagogical framework, encouraging educators to integrate activism and ethical leadership into the curriculum to prepare students for roles as change agents in a rapidly evolving field.
Finally, this issue addresses student autonomy and privacy, exploring how educators can respect privacy boundaries while leveraging digital tools for learning. This teaching brief reflects on the balance between fostering critical digital literacy and maintaining ethical standards in the classroom, showcasing innovative assignments that empower students to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
Through these diverse yet interconnected discussions, this issue reaffirms the transformative potential of public relations education when it embraces innovation, ethical rigor, and inclusivity. As educators, researchers, and practitioners, we have a shared responsibility to continue evolving our practices to better serve our students and society. Our educators in this issue once again have effectively transformed wicked problems into practical and professional solutions. I’m so proud of our work at JPRE, and I hope these scholars inspire your practice.
Thank you for a great first year working with an incredible volunteer team to elevate PR pedagogy research to its deserved prominence. Our appreciation goes out to the Editorial Review Board, the Past Editors Council, as well as our beloved sponsors, the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication and the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations – Moody College at the University of Texas at Austin.
I hope a restful break is upon you and the new year brings you joy.
Laura E. Willis, Ph.D., School of Communications, Quinnipiac University
Author: Patricia Swann Publisher: Routledge, 2021 ISBN (Hardback): 9781138605114 ISBN (Hardback): 9781138605114ISBN
(eBook): 9781138605121 Number of pages: 185
The Illustrated Guide to the Content Analysis Research Project introduces novice communication researchers to the fundamentals of social scientific research, with quantitative content analysis as the primary research method discussed, in a playful, approachable tone. Swann clearly demonstrates the value of research within the communication field and for communication students’ career development. The textbook meets undergraduate students where they are, recognizing the apprehension that students bring with them to their first research methods course and providing them with the resources and support necessary to help them develop a research mindset. The book also provides examples from peer-reviewed content analysis studies to demonstrate what type of information belongs in each section of a research paper and how published authors present their research.
