Public Communication Research & Advisory Services delivers data, information, strategic research, insights & recommendations to help partners navigate a fast-changing public, media and digital communication environment.
Public Communication integrates the affiliated fields strategic and corporate communication, forms of mass communication such as advertising and PR, as well as journalism. We undertake communication research across cultural, social, and political boundaries. Our research scope is equally broad and encompasses social media and digital communication, social activism, commercial communication, political communication, and communication campaigns. Previous work undertaken by our members has included projects examining sustainability, brand heritage, social change, and public policy communication.
Underpinning our research is a shared concern with social equity, organisational legitimacy, business sustainability, and the health of our democracy. Our public communication researchers are global experts in their respective fields and actively engage with government, business, organisations, and community groups to provide effective answers and insights to some of the current challenges that they face.
We aim to continue building and developing synergistic relationships with government departments and agencies, corporations, and non-government organisations that have strategic importance or potential to Australia, and which seek to have an impact in the communities in which we live.
Robert Crawford is a Professor of Advertising in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University. His research has focused on the growth and development of the advertising, marketing, and public relations industries across Australia, Oceania, and South East Asia.
Linda Brennan is a Professor in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University. Her research interests are the use and abuse of advertising and social marketing for social change.
Dr Lukas Parker is a lecturer in the School of Media and Communication. He lectures in advertising to postgraduate and undergraduate students, and supervises postgraduate research students. His research interests are in social marketing and marketing communication.
Dr Deborah Wise is a Senior Lecturer (Public Relations) in the School of Media and Communication. Her research interests are primarily concerned with how power is manifested within social interactions and the rights and duties of entities to adopt particular discursive positions.
James studies media law and policy. He currently holds an early career research fellowship from the Australian Research Council to study the algorithmic distribution of news. James has also received funding from the International Association of Privacy Professionals and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network.
Dr. Thompson commenced as Lecturer in Professional Communication (Early Career Development Fellow) at RMIT in January 2020. Prior to this, he lectured in digital media writing and practice at the University of Melbourne and Victoria University.
Leah Li coordinates and teaches courses, researches and supervises HDR candidates across the Communication discipline, including Public Relations, Digital Communication, Journalism, and Media. She is best known for her work in digital engagement and culture in the interdisciplinary areas of public relations, place branding, journalism, and media representation
For more information on Public Communication Research and Advisory Services contact us at: publiccommunication@rmit.edu.au
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
