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Reflecting on the social value of movement and dance
No full textAims: This short report summarises the findings of a 51-page report on the social value of movement and dance in England, highlighting its contribution to public health, individual wellbeing, and community development. Methods: The report synthesises data from multiple sources and quantifies the social value of movement and dance. Results: Findings indicate that movement and dance contribute £3.5 billion in social value, including £430 million in healthcare savings and a £2.1 billion uplift in mental wellbeing. Movement and dance foster physical health benefits comparable to those of other exercise forms while providing unique psychological and social advantages. Conclusion: Movement and dance play vital roles in public health by preventing illness, improving mental wellbeing, and fostering community engagement. To maximise their impact, greater integration within health practices, funding, research investment, and policy engagement is needed
Shaping the future: discursive practices in promoting public relations education at UK universities
No full textPurpose
This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how discursive practices shape the promotion of public relations undergraduate programmes in the context of market-driven UK higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
Research combines a descriptive analysis of the UK universities offering public relations undergraduate degrees and a critical discourse analysis of the online prospectus entries of 25 public relations undergraduate programmes (often called “courses” in the UK), focussing on the course/programme overview and career path sections.
Findings
This wide-ranging review of UK universities’ communication of their public relations provision demonstrates that although the student as consumer has choice, the presentation of the programmes is sometimes “headline grabbing” and often positions public relations as a tactical subject, emphasising promotion and practical skills. Overall, public relations is taught alongside subjects such as marketing, journalism and advertising, and these subjects are foregrounded in promotional material when discussing teaching and potential career paths. Public relations is a difficult subject to explain within the confines of a university prospectus, with the result that it is frequently presented as a promotional practice with little connection to management, leadership or academic research.
Originality/value
To the best authors' knowledge, this is the first study exploring the discursive practices that shape the promotion of public relations undergraduate programmes in UK universities
The Lived Experiences of Female PR Practitioners in the UK: Exploring Bourdieu's Theory of Habitus, Gender Imbalance, and Exploitation
No full textThis chapter examines the lived experiences of female public relations (PR) freelancers in the UK, who transitioned into freelance careers, with a particular focus on the intersectionality of Bourdieu's theory of habitus (Bourdieu, 1984), gender imbalance, and exploitation within the industry. The study aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by women in the PR freelance sector and explore the ways in which societal structures and gender dynamics influence their professional lives. For many women, the decision to pursue freelance careers in PR is driven by the need for greater work–life balance, autonomy, and flexibility. Rather than examining the reasons behind their shift to freelancing, this study explores the challenges that female PR freelancers face in their new professional landscape. While freelancing offers flexibility and control over their work, it also presents its own set of obstacles, including financial instability, difficulty in securing long-term contracts, and the constant need to self-promote and find new clients. The research explores how these challenges intersect with gender dynamics and the experiences of female PR freelancers. Using a qualitative conversation methodology, the chapter explores the rich experiences of female freelancers in PR in the UK through their own words. This research is significant as it contributes to the broader understanding of gender inequality within the PR industry, specifically focusing on the experiences of female PR freelancers. The findings can inform policy discussions, industry practices, and interventions aimed at promoting gender equality, fair treatment, and improved working conditions for female PR freelancers
Unveiling Higher Education (HE) Students’ Experiences of Using Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Cross-institutional Qualitative Explorative Study
No full textImproving Pain Assessment and Management for Patients with Dementia Following Hip Fracture Surgery.
No full textArtificial Intelligence and Student Fear, Resistancem and Creativity in the Classroom
No full textThis chapter explores the use of AI for teaching and learning among students studying public relations. In particular, it focuses on the reception by students taking a module (course) designed for first year students at a university in the UK. The module has run for a number of years but for the 2023/4 academic year students were allowed to use generative AI tools for their assessed work, which took the form of a public relations plan and a creative portfolio. Taking a reflective case study approach, this chapter explores the student experience of this module, focusing in particular on the themes of student fear and resistance to using AI in the classroom
