The Institute for Public Relations announced the launch of the IPR Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CDEI) to help conduct, share, and promote research and best practices in core areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the PR industry. The IPR Board of Trustees elected two IPR Trustees Emily Graham, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Global Practice Lead at FleishmanHillard, and Natalie Tindall, Ph.D., APR, Chair and Professor at Lamar University, to co-lead the CDEI.
“It is an honor to co-lead the CDEI and work with the Institute for Public Relations on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Dr. Natalie Tindall. “The time has come for this critical and necessary work to how we can better serve our clients, understand our nuanced stakeholders, and create more equitable and accessible workspaces.”
“Now is a pivotal time in society and PR,” said Emily Graham. “Being more equitable, inclusive, and diverse is requisite to combat systemic issues of racial and social injustice. IPR, through the new CDEI, will accelerate the rigor and relentless focus needed to act with intent and impact, empowering communicators to lead the charge. I am truly honored to co-lead this essential work that will transform the PR industry.”
The CDEI features academic and industry research in multiple disciplines and offers resources for best practices. The CDEI plans to conduct more research relating to DE&I, including an annual survey of the PR profession.
The CDEI research areas include topics relating to PR professionals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; women; LGBTQ+; and those with disabilities. Additional topics include mental health and intersectionality (interconnectedness of identities, such as race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, etc.). Nearly 100 research articles have been added to the CDEI library. IPR plans to continuously update this resource and feature articles from the CDEI in its free weekly IPR Research Letter.
The CDEI site also features free on-demand webinars as well as past and upcoming sessions of “Race in the PR Classroom,” a series IPR co-hosts with the PRSA Educators Academy. IPR is also a key partner on a number of industry initiatives, including The Dialogue Project and the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA). IPR is leading the measurement charge of the DAA.
“IPR is committed to helping people understand more about the DE&I landscape through our fifth Center of Excellence,” said Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR, President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations. “We have an important duty to ensure PR practitioners have access to research and resources they can use to help strengthen the workplace through diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
IPR welcomes research-based studies to add to the site. If you would like to submit articles, visit the CDEI website.
