The Paradox of Public Relations/Communications Management Education in Canada: Taught But Not Studied

Abstract

The authors describe the history of the study of public relations/ communication management in Canada. Focus is placed on the lack of empirical research concerning the function and practice of professional communication in Canada. The authors also discuss the dangers this lack of evidence poses to the constructing of an effective critical literature surrounding the social, cultural and economic impact that public relations/communication management is having in Canada. The authors draw comparisons to three other fields: journalism, communication studies and cultural studies, all of which have faced a similar evolution emerging from practice to theory. Finally, the authors discuss innovative new undergraduate and graduate programs developed at McMaster to address the dearth of empirical investigation of public relations/communication management in Canada.