Amelia Kennedy, KPU alumna and former faculty member has her proposal
surrounding her dissertation research accepted for the 2013 CPRS National Conference

For immediate release

January 29, 2013

KPU alumna and former faculty member heads to Ottawa to present at the 2013 CPRS National Conference

(Metro Vancouver, BC) – Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) alumna and former faculty member Amelia Kennedy has had her proposal surrounding her dissertation research accepted from over 50 submissions for the 2013 Canadian Public Relations Society’s (CPRS) National Conference. Her submission is one of 12 that will be presented at the June 9-11 conference in Ottawa.  

During the conference Kennedy will present her research, Gender in PR: Why is the industry predominantly female? ~ A 2012 study addressing gender communication and why the public relations industry is predominately female. Kennedy will give an overview of her research and associated results from her dissertation for her masters of arts degree from the University of Leicester in the UK. 

“Completing a master’s degree is a challenging yet rewarding experience on its own so I was thrilled to learn that my proposal was selected as a workshop for the 2013 CPRS National Conference,” said Kennedy. “As an alumni and past faculty member, I have called Kwantlen home for over 10 years. Much of what I have learned and continue to learn about the PR industry has come from amazing colleagues and up and coming professionals embarking on their career path in public relations. I want to share this success with the Kwantlen community.”

Kennedy will present her hypotheses and address gender communication, different communication styles, qualities traditionally seen as feminine or masculine, enrolment in post-secondary public relations programs and the disproportionate number of women employed in the industry across different sectors. An explanation of the research will lead to results in determining why the PR profession is feminized.   

Founded in 1959, the CPRS is a networking and professional development organization serving public relations and communications practitioners across Canada. Members belong to corporations, government, not-for-profit organizations, associations, health care, education, public relations agencies and independent consultancies.

KPU’s public relations program is a 60-credit diploma organized into four semesters. Students develop the basic skills, work habits and attitudes they need to succeed both as students and as PR professionals. Students apply their public relations skills to a variety of projects for clients, culminating in a one-month work experience in the public relations industry. For more information about this program visit: kwantlen.ca/business/pr.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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