The Seminar provides an international setting where doctoral students in corporate communications and public relations can present their ongoing work, get feedback from experts and peers and establish a valuable network for the future. The Seminar will benefit from the impact of the Congress and the main focus will be on participants' work-in-progress - specifically on the variety of subjects, approaches and methods found at different universities. A variety of working formats will make it dynamic and inspiring, including small lectures and general discussion on research methods and philosopy of science. Delegate numbers will be limited to 18: provided the requirements below have been met, acceptance will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
Requirements
Before registration, potential delegates must submit a one-page abstract of the PhD project, together with evidence of their enrolment as a PhD student. The subject matter must be public relations related. These must be submitted direct to Prof Inger Jensen - inger@ruc.dk and not to the Congress organisers. Professor Jensen will contact authors direct regarding confirmation of acceptance. By 10 August, delegates must submit a 10-page paper on their PhD project; it is recommended this is problem-focused rather than conclusive. It should be a description of the subject and the theoretical and methodological approach, and indicating the type of feedback required. The phasing of the PhD project must also be indicated, to ensure stimulating and appropriate feedback. Again, this paper must be submitted direct to Professor Jensen.
The Venue
The 2011 PhD Seminar takes place at the University of York, 30 miles (45km) from Leeds, during its summer recess. The University campus lies 3 miles (5km) outside the centre of York and surrounds its own lake, with a lakeside common room for the sole use of Seminar delegates and grounds to stroll in. Overnight accommodation will be in en-suite study bedrooms and meals served in the college restaurant, all on the campus. Internet access is available in bedrooms (delegates need to bring their own cables and laptops) and all main areas have wi-fi. Banks, a post office and shop are within 10 minutes' walk.
Return transport will be provided for delegates between Leeds and York but, for those wishing to make their own arrangements, York has a direct train service from London, Manchester and Scotland. There is also a National Express coach service. The ancient city of York, with medieval walls, a Gothic 13th century Minster, museums and narrow alleyways to explore, blends with a vibrant modern culture. The Visit York website has further information and pictures.
The Schedule
A bus will take delegates from Leeds city centre to the Seminar venue on the afternoon of Saturday, 10 September. The seminar will end at 12.00 on Tuesday 13 September, when a bus will return delegates to Leeds. Overnight accommodation is provided on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday along with all meals. Please note that delegates who are also attending the Congress will need to make their own hotel arrangements during the Congress.
Registration and Fees
For online Seminar and Congress registration and fee details visit the Registration page. There is a special Congress & Seminar package rate for PhD students and attendance at both events is highly recommended.
The Experts
Dr 
Inger Jensen is Associate Professor in Social Sciences at Roskilde University, where she is one of the initiators of the master's degree program in public relations. Research and teaching areas include Strategic Processes, Business Ethics, Organisational Legitimacy, Social Responsibility, Human Resources, Competence and Public Relations. Inger is a member of research network on Agents and Institutions - on opening the borderlines between economics and sociology. She is also Past President of EUPRERA and Chairman of the Research Committee, a member of the jury of EUPRERA-students award and Supervisor of PhD students in public relations. From December 2000 - April 2007 Inger was vice rector of Roskilde University. She was also Co-ordinator of EUA project on Creativity in Teaching and Learning.
Dr Nilam Ashra-McGrath is a writer and researcher for the non-profit sector. She attended the inaugural PhD seminar in Roskilde (2007) which was invaluable in shaping her thesis. Thanks to that meeting of minds, she now has a PhD in Corporate Communications and delivers workshops on the Ups and Downs of PhD Research (very well received at the 2010 Jyvaskyla PhD seminar), How to Talk About Your Research Like A Human Being, Using Diaries in Research and Analysing Qualitative Data. She has 18 years experience in various communication and training roles for the NGO sector in the UK, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, India and The Maldives. She has delivered modules in Creative Work in Cultural Industries, Public Relations, Corporate Communications and NGO Management, for The University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University and Rouen Business School. Her research interests are media representations of development issues, using diaries in research, and the sociology of communications work.
Feedback from 2010's Seminar delegates
2010 delegates, from seven countries, provided feedback on their experience. Comments included: "... a very good way to update my knowledge and learn what the main interests in the field are right now ..."; " ... a machete for my inner intellectual jungle..."; "great experience!"; "stimulating"; "eye opening"; "motivating". All delegates rated peer feedback and discussion, as well as facilitator feedback as Valuable or Highly Valuable, and several commented on the stimulus and motivation to complete their work.
Congress:
8-10 September 2011
PhD Seminar:
10 - 13 September 2011
