I am seriously thinking of reading for a Doctorate in Communications at one of the three very fine universities here in Adelaide. If I am able to show that my research is relevant to PR as a profession, there is also the possibility of a grant to help with fees and to speed the process along (because I could then study full-time, rather than part-time).
Part of the application process involves writing a 4,500 word piece on a topic of my choice that would form part of my research focus. Were this to be a simple one-year course of study I would probably look at the implications and impact of social media on employee communications, however as the course is potentially of three years duration (full time) and more likely six years (part time), such a narrow focus would be foolish, as the internet has shown itself to be spectacularly adept at ‘moving on’ despite earnest researchers’ desires to slow it down while they measure it.
I’ve wandered through the IABC research area for ideas, but so far nothing has ‘grabbed’ me. But then again, I am not the world’s best strategic thinker — I am more a tactician than strategist when it comes to the ‘big issues’.
Therefore I turn to my colleagues-in-arms: what thoughts do you have around issues in business communication and what would you, given a free hand, like to research?
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