The Role of Leadership in Building Inclusive Diversity in Public Relations

This book focuses on the relationship between leadership and diversity, inclusion and equity within the US public relations industry.
The authors argue that there is ample research evidence that diversity and inclusion efforts cannot succeed without leadership support that commits to and assumes responsibility and accountability for the structural and cultural changes required. Drawing on literature from three different areas – public relations, diversity and inclusion/equity in US societal and organizational contexts and leadership – the authors build a conceptual framework and model for inclusive leadership in public relations that addresses industry dynamics.
The book is timely as a resource for public relations scholars and as a supplementary text for advanced courses in public relations principles, theory, management, leadership and diversity. It also provides practitioners theoretical guidance on how to improve diversity, inclusion and equity in their organizations.

Nilanjana Bardhan is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, USA.

Karla Gower is a Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, USA.