Women’s Work in Public Relations: Exploring the Veiled Narratives of Women in Public Relations

In this comment piece, Buckinghamshire New University's (BNU) Head of School of Business and Law, Sarah Williams, looks at her new book, 'Women's Work in Public Relations', a collection of academic chapters highlighting the experiences of women working in PR across the globe.

Public Relations (PR) often glamorises the shimmering surface of media interactions, obscuring the intricate and nuanced experiences of the women working within it. In 'Women's Work in Public Relations', Elizabeth Bridgen and I wanted to edit a collection which presented a wider variety of experiences shaped by a complex interplay of factors including culture, location, professional networks, and personal life circumstances.

The book, which came out on 25^th March, is a varied collection of academic chapters highlighting the experiences of women working in PR across the globe, from Brazil to Turkey, from Spain to Australia. It blends practitioner stories with academic chapters and holds a mirror up to the PR industry.

Invisible lives

The book starts with a simple observation: the everyday work of women in PR, from negotiating with journalists to orchestrating campaigns that can change lives, remains largely unseen. This invisibility isn't just a matter of oversight; it's a reflection of a broader societal disposition that tends to side-line women's contributions across various fields, including PR.

Historically, PR has been a gendered profession, with women's contributions often undervalued or outright ignored. In this book, we argue that while there is an abundance of writing on women in PR, much of it either focuses on the barriers women face or celebrates the exceptional without adequately addressing the day-to-day realities of the majority. This work aims to fill that gap by offering a window into the "unseen" work of women in PR through a rich collection of qualitative research methodologies.

Everyday discrimination

One of the aspects explored is the discrimination that occurs "in plain sight" - whether through erratically applied work policies, heavy workloads disproportionately assigned to diligent women, or the nuanced language in professional documents that subtly perpetuates inequality. This form of discrimination is insidious because its familiarity often renders it invisible, making it challenging to confront and counteract.

The chapters highlight the diversity of experiences among women in PR, underscoring the point that there is no monolithic "female experience" in the field. Factors such as race, class, and domestic circumstances significantly influence how women navigate their careers in PR, further complicating the narrative.

Celebration and opportunity

Despite these challenges, the book doesn't dwell solely on the struggles. It also celebrates the resilience, creativity, and solidarity among women in PR. From the pioneering women of the '60s and '70s who forged new paths in a male-dominated industry to the modern PR practitioner juggling the demands of work and family life, these stories underscore the multifaceted nature of women's work in PR

"Women's Work in Public Relations" is more than just an academic exercise; it's a call to acknowledge and appreciate the nuanced experiences of women in the field. It challenges the reader to look beyond the caricatures and stereotypes, to see the real women whose skill, creativity, and dedication keep the wheels of public relations turning.

Just because we don't see something doesn't mean it isn't happening.

The book emerged from our desire to document and celebrate the ordinary and everyday, and to shine a light on practices which, ultimately, hold the industry back. The everyday work of women in PR, though often invisible, is vital, vibrant, and deserving of recognition. This book is a step towards bringing those stories into the light, celebrating the diversity of experiences, and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in PR.

Next steps

So, what's next? We hope that the book provokes discussion, that it resonates with women's experiences, and that it provides a vehicle for change. A wake-up call which prompts the industry to reflect on the everyday lives and experiences of the women working in it and seeks to improve them for the benefit of all.

A podcast will follow later in the year and in the meantime you can sign up to our online book launch on April 17^thhere.

Sarah Williams is Head of Business and Law and co-editor, with Elizabeth Bridgen, of 'Women's Work in Public Relations'published by Emerald Publishing.

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