Dr Weaver's research focuses on the social-cultural role and impacts of public relations and strategic communication in its many forms, from corporate for-profit and government, to non-profit, non-government, charity and activist communication. A qualitative researcher, she explores how public communication leverages political and social interests, discourses and actions. Over her research career, she has had an additional focus on how violence, and especially violence against women, is represented in the media and in strategic communication campaigns. Having gained over US$3 million in external award funding as, variously, principal investigator and a member of grant-winning teams, she is co-author of Cameras in the Commons (1990), Women Viewing Violence (1992), and Violence and the Media (2003), and is co-editor of Critical Readings: Violence and the Media (2006), Public Relations in Global Contexts (2011), and The Routledge Companion to Public Relations (2023). She has published numerous book chapters as well as articles in Public Relations Review, Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Inquiry, International Journal of Advertising, Media Culture & Society, New Media and Society, Information, Communication & Society, Feminist Media Studies and the Journal of Applied Communication Research. Kay is on the editorial boards of Public Relations Inquiry, Feminist Media Studies, Journal of Communication Management, Media International Australia, and Communication Research and Practice.
keywords
Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Critical Theory, Social Theory, Culture, Public Relations Practice, Representations of Gender, Crime and Violence, Activism
APRD 3104 - Digital Storytelling for Public Relations
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
Provides students a new skill set in digital storytelling ideas, production, and analysis. Students will develop the skills to produce creative online stories that will reach strategic audiences. We will look at the changing roles of the storyteller in news, promotion, and public relations while discussing and analyzing media consumption habits that encourage a seamless transition from consumer to creator. This course is designed for public relations students within the strategic communication major.
APRD 3112 - International Public Relations
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Introduces students to the cultural, social and economic issues relevant to strategic communication in the global arena. Provides students with the foundational tools necessary to both understand and effectively navigate the often complex world of strategic intercultural communication. Specific topics will include exploration of the contextual factors that influence public relations practice in different nations/regions, discussion of the various theoretical models that govern global PR practice and critical evaluation of international PR case studies/campaigns.
APRD 7001 - ProSeminar in Mass Communication Theory 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Discusses prominent theoretical and methodological points of view in journalism studies and strategic communication that range from social science to critical studies to the humanities. The premise is that methods are driven by research questions, so there is no best way to conduct research. You should leave this course with an understanding of how to address various mass communication phenomena. Same as JRNL 7001.
APRD 7004 - Doctoral Professionalization Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2025
Introduces you to the university and gives you a chance to think out loud about what your academic future might look like. The course is designed to be responsive to your needs regarding your career, getting a job, getting tenure and teaching. In short, the course prepares you for a career in academia. Same as JRNL 7004.
APRD 7010 - Qualitative Interviewing as a Research Method
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Develops the necessary skills to conceptualize, plan, and execute interview-based research projects. Covers topics such as brainstorming and implementing a research idea, formulating research questions, designing a thorough research plan, navigating the IRB, recruiting participants, creating the interview guide, conducting interviews, and analyzing and writing up data. Course also examines reflexivity and ethical issues that are inherent in interview studies, especially ones involving certain populations. Same as JRNL 7010.
JRNL 7001 - ProSeminar in Mass Communication Theory 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Discusses prominent theoretical and methodological points of view in journalism studies and strategic communication that range from social science to critical studies to the humanities. The premise is that methods are driven by research questions, so there is no best way to conduct research. You should leave this course with an understanding of how to address various mass communication phenomena. Same as APRD 7001.
JRNL 7004 - Doctoral Professionalization Seminar
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2023 / Fall 2025
Introduces you to the university and gives you a chance to think out loud about what your academic future might look like. The course is designed to be responsive to your needs regarding your career, getting a job, getting tenure and teaching. In short, the course prepares you for a career in academia. Same as APRD 7004.
JRNL 7010 - Qualitative Interviewing as a Research Method
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2025
Develops the necessary skills to conceptualize, plan, and execute interview-based research projects. Covers topics such as brainstorming and implementing a research idea, formulating research questions, designing a thorough research plan, navigating the IRB, recruiting participants, creating the interview guide, conducting interviews, and analyzing and writing up data. Course also examines reflexivity and ethical issues that are inherent in interview studies, especially ones involving certain populations. Same as APRD 7010.
