
Power, Diversity and Public Relations
Lee Edwards(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 23. September 2014
Book
Hardback
146 pages
978-0-415-81195-8 (ISBN)
Description
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.
This insightful text will be essential reading for researchers and students in Public Relations, Communications, Media Studies, Promotional Industries, as well as all scholars interested in the sociology of race and work relations.
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.
This insightful text will be essential reading for researchers and students in Public Relations, Communications, Media Studies, Promotional Industries, as well as all scholars interested in the sociology of race and work relations.
Reviews / Votes
'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
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
4 s/w Abbildungen, 4 s/w Zeichnungen, 3 s/w Tabellen
3 Tables, black and white; 4 Line drawings, black and white; 4 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-81195-8 (9780415811958)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Lee Edwards
Power, Diversity and Public Relations
Book
12/2019
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.79
Shipment within 15-20 days

Lee Edwards
Power, Diversity and Public Relations
E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€59.49
Available for download

Lee Edwards
Power, Diversity and Public Relations
E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€59.49
Available for download
Person
Lee Edwards is Associate Professor at the School of Media and Communication, University of Leeds, UK
Content
1: Introduction 2: Historical Context: Empire, Racism and Public Relations 3: Constructing PR Practice: Legitimacy, Jurisdiction and the Erasure of Social Inequity 4: Constructing Competence: Client, Capital and Embodiment 5: Strategies of Resistance: Intersectional Identities as a Source of Critique 6: Successful Marginality: Managing Occupational Identity 7: Occupational Power, Diversity and Public Relations