Theory vs practice : Perceptions of professionalisation in strategic communication education
Ruiz Carreras, Maria ; Eksell, Jörgen LU
; Åkerström, Marja
LU
and Nothhaft, Howard
LU
(2025)
In Communicare
44(1).
p.56-73
- Abstract
- This research examines the professionalisation of strategic communication as a teaching discipline by exploring perceived tensions within the subject. Higher education is a “battleground” for both professions and would-be professions, and the study offers a deeper understanding of the dynamic tensions shaping the professionalisation process of this discipline. However, there has been limited research in this area within strategic communication. This study is based on qualitative interviews with 25 programme directors of international master’s programmes and leading academics from various parts of the world. The empirical findings show that the interviewees perceive the tension between theory and practice as crucial. Some educational... (More)
- This research examines the professionalisation of strategic communication as a teaching discipline by exploring perceived tensions within the subject. Higher education is a “battleground” for both professions and would-be professions, and the study offers a deeper understanding of the dynamic tensions shaping the professionalisation process of this discipline. However, there has been limited research in this area within strategic communication. This study is based on qualitative interviews with 25 programme directors of international master’s programmes and leading academics from various parts of the world. The empirical findings show that the interviewees perceive the tension between theory and practice as crucial. Some educational programmes prioritise theory to provide students with a profound understanding of fundamental principles, whereas others emphasise practice to enhance employability and practical skills. The study shows that the perceived dichotomy theory and practice in master’s programmes is oversimplified and involves several nuances and distinctions. The research provides greater insight into how tensions surrounding professionalism arise in emerging fields at the university level, particularly in disciplines that are still establishing their position and trajectory. Furthermore, it raises new questions about how university systems and traditions affect professionalisation processes. (Less)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- Denna forskning undersöker professionaliseringen av strategisk kommunikation som undervisningsdisciplin genom att utforska upplevda spänningar inom ämnet. Högre utbildning är ett ”slagfält” för både professioner och blivande professioner, och studien ger en djupare förståelse för de dynamiska spänningar som formar professionaliseringsprocessen inom denna disciplin. Det finns dock begränsad forskning på detta område inom strategisk kommunikation. Denna studie bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer med 25 programdirektörer för internationella masterprogram och ledande akademiker från olika delar av världen. De empiriska resultaten visar att intervjupersonerna uppfattar spänningen mellan teori och praktik som avgörande. Vissa utbildningsprogram... (More)
- Denna forskning undersöker professionaliseringen av strategisk kommunikation som undervisningsdisciplin genom att utforska upplevda spänningar inom ämnet. Högre utbildning är ett ”slagfält” för både professioner och blivande professioner, och studien ger en djupare förståelse för de dynamiska spänningar som formar professionaliseringsprocessen inom denna disciplin. Det finns dock begränsad forskning på detta område inom strategisk kommunikation. Denna studie bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer med 25 programdirektörer för internationella masterprogram och ledande akademiker från olika delar av världen. De empiriska resultaten visar att intervjupersonerna uppfattar spänningen mellan teori och praktik som avgörande. Vissa utbildningsprogram prioriterar teori för att ge studenterna en djup förståelse för grundläggande principer, medan andra betonar praktik för att förbättra anställningsbarhet och praktiska färdigheter. Studien visar att den upplevda dikotomin teori och praktik i masterprogram är alltför förenklad och innehåller flera nyanser och distinktioner. Forskningen ger större insikt i hur spänningar kring professionalism uppstår i framväxande fält på universitetsnivå, särskilt i discipliner som fortfarande håller på att etablera sin position och bana. Dessutom väcker den nya frågor om hur universitetens system och traditioner påverkar professionaliseringsprocesserna. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/353274d2-e703-4a22-903b-86714b67a724
- author
- Ruiz Carreras, Maria
; Eksell, Jörgen
LU
; Åkerström, Marja
LU
and Nothhaft, Howard
LU
- organization
- alternative title
- Teori gentemot praktik: : Uppfattningar om professionalisering inom utbildning i strategisk kommunikation.
- publishing date
- 2025-05-06
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- professionalisering, Professionaliseringsprocesser, Högre utbildning, strategisk kommunikation, teori gentemot praktik, professionalisation, professionalisation processes, theory-practice tension, higher edcuation, master programmes, strategisk kommunikation
- in
- Communicare
- volume
- 44
- issue
- 1
- pages
- 17 pages
- ISSN
- 0259-0069
- DOI
- 10.36615/t859xs40
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 353274d2-e703-4a22-903b-86714b67a724
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-05 16:25:59
- date last changed
- 2025-05-08 13:58:44
@article{353274d2-e703-4a22-903b-86714b67a724,
abstract = {{This research examines the professionalisation of strategic communication as a teaching discipline by exploring perceived tensions within the subject. Higher education is a “battleground” for both professions and would-be professions, and the study offers a deeper understanding of the dynamic tensions shaping the professionalisation process of this discipline. However, there has been limited research in this area within strategic communication. This study is based on qualitative interviews with 25 programme directors of international master’s programmes and leading academics from various parts of the world. The empirical findings show that the interviewees perceive the tension between theory and practice as crucial. Some educational programmes prioritise theory to provide students with a profound understanding of fundamental principles, whereas others emphasise practice to enhance employability and practical skills. The study shows that the perceived dichotomy theory and practice in master’s programmes is oversimplified and involves several nuances and distinctions. The research provides greater insight into how tensions surrounding professionalism arise in emerging fields at the university level, particularly in disciplines that are still establishing their position and trajectory. Furthermore, it raises new questions about how university systems and traditions affect professionalisation processes.}},
author = {{Ruiz Carreras, Maria and Eksell, Jörgen and Åkerström, Marja and Nothhaft, Howard}},
issn = {{0259-0069}},
keywords = {{professionalisering; Professionaliseringsprocesser; Högre utbildning; strategisk kommunikation; teori gentemot praktik; professionalisation; professionalisation processes; theory-practice tension; higher edcuation; master programmes; strategisk kommunikation}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
number = {{1}},
pages = {{56--73}},
series = {{Communicare}},
title = {{Theory vs practice : Perceptions of professionalisation in strategic communication education}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.36615/t859xs40}},
doi = {{10.36615/t859xs40}},
volume = {{44}},
year = {{2025}},
}