The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has announced that four new studies have been commissioned as part of its PR Research Fund.
Now in its fifth successive year, the CIPR’s PR Research Fund projects cover a range of different subject matters including Gen Z communication styles, digital inclusion, generative AI in PR, and more. The four pieces of research will be published throughout 2026.
The projects commissioned under the 2025 Research Fund are:
- Cultural Digital Inclusion: A PR Toolkit for Engaging Diverse Community Initiatives in Scotland, by Olushola Damilola Adetutu MCIPR
- From screens to speech. Investigating Gen Z anxieties with direct interpersonal communication within the PR profession, by Anne Nicholls Chart.PR, Dip CIPR, MCIPR and Richard Bailey Hon FCIPR
- Bridging the AI Gap: How Generative AI is Reshaping PR Education and Professional Practice, by Laura Richard FCIPR
- Impact Beyond Borders: Expanding Global Access for Young African Communicators, by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi Chart.PR, MCIPR
Successful candidates receive grants of up to £2,000 to conduct independent research that benefits the broader public relations profession. They will also gain access to CIPR training courses designed to strengthen their research skills and knowledge.
Congratulations to the four successful applications for our 2025 Research Fund. Now in its fifth year, the Fund has become a cornerstone in advancing evidence-based understanding of our profession and I’m particularly excited about this year’s diverse range of projects.
From exploring Gen Z communication anxieties to developing digital inclusion toolkits, examining AI’s impact on PR education and expanding global opportunities for young African communicators, these studies tackle both emerging industry challenges and fundamental issues of accessibility. I look forward to the valuable insights they will deliver and their contribution to strengthening our profession.
Mandy Pearse Chart PR, FCIPR, Chair of the CIPR’s Research Panel
