Dear all:
IPR needs a lead researcher on diversity and PR...I would be interested
in collaborating with someone on this, or someone can do this alone if
time and interests permit.

>>> From: Frank Ovaitt [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 6:12 PM
>>> To: Stacks, Don Winslow
>>> Cc: Michelle Hinson; [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Urgent research opportunity with stipend
>>> Importance: High
>>> Don:
>>>
>>> I'd like to ask you to share this with the academics and doctoral
>>> students
>>> who have attended IPRRC in recent years.  It's a special research
>>> opportunity that would have high visibility throughout the
>>> profession.  But
>>> it needs an expert researcher who has time available for a major
>>> project
>>> this summer.
>>>
>>> The Public Relations Coalition, which includes a variety of public
>>> relations
>>> organizations and associations that collectively have more than
>>> 50,000
>>> members, is planning a leadership summit focused on diversity in our
>>> profession.  That event is scheduled for January 2005.
>>>
>>> The problem is that while everyone talks about the need for
>>> diversity, and
>>> bemoans the lack of it, there is very little real data to help
>>> define the
>>> problem, know how to attack it, and measure progress.
>>>
>>> So the Institute for Public Relations has volunteered to take the
>>> lead in
>>> commissioning some robust research that, ideally, can be repeated at
>>> specified intervals in future years.
>>>
>>> This may involve elements of a broad survey of public relations
>>> professionals (which could be done by reaching out to the members of
>>> the
>>> organizations that make up the coalition); working with a select
>>> group of
>>> agencies and corporate PR departments willing to share diversity
>>> data on a
>>> confidential basis; and working with PR Week, which did produce real
>>> data
>>> for its Diversity Survey 2003 and might consider overtures to expand
>>> that
>>> for 2004 in partnership with the institute for Public Relations.
>>>
>>> This high-profile research opportunity will include a negotiated
>>> stipend,
>>> along with future opportunities to continue providing this valuable
>>> study to
>>> the profession on a regular basis.  But methodology, implementation,
>>> data
>>> and analysis essentially must be completed by end of summer.
>>>
>>> If any of the IPRRC participants would like to discuss this
>>> opportunity, I
>>> would welcome a call or email from them.  I can tell them what more I
>>> know -- but clearly, this job requires a talent who can lead us
>>> through what
>>> we don't know.
>>>
>>> Many thanks, Don.
>>>
>>> Frank Ovaitt
>>> President and CEO-Elect, Institute for Public Relations
>>> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> 703 568-5611


Meta G. Carstarphen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Oklahoma
860 Van Vleet Oval--Rm. 101
Norman, OK   73019-2051
PHONE: (405) 325-5227
FAX: (405) 325-7565
E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]