The Institute for Public Relations announced today that Maureen Taylor, PhD of the University of Oklahoma will receive the 2010 Pathfinder Award, the Institute’s highest academic honor.
Taylor will join speaker Bill Margaritis of FedEx, in New York City at the Institute’s Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards Dinner on November 11 where she will accept her award. She also will receive a $2,000 cash grant.
The Pathfinder Award is given to an academic who has made a significant contribution to the body of knowledge and practice in the field of public relations. Dr. Taylor’s research interest is in international public relations, nation building and civil society campaigns and new communication technologies. She has conducted research and consulted for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of State, and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Professor Taylor has experience training government, and civil society organizations in formulating, achieving and measuring strategic objectives, especially in the areas of media and communications.
She has evaluated political transition grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and independent media for USAID in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Dr. Taylor also has worked as a media specialist on projects in Armenia, Kosovo, Jordan, and Serbia. Most recently, she has worked with the governing bodies in Southern Sudan and Aqaba, Jordan to help to improve communication with their respective publics.
Dr. Taylor is currently Professor and Gaylord Family Chair of Strategic Communication in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Taylor is a graduate of Westfield State College. She earned her Master of Arts and her Doctor of Philosophy from Purdue University.
The Institute for Public Relations is the premier professional organization that answers the need for evidence and accountability by fueling the science beneath the art of public relations.™ Guided by thought leaders on its Board of Trustees, IPR pursues an active agenda of research studies and identifies best practices that demonstrate and enhance the value of public relations.
Further information is available at instituteforpr.org.
