09.00   - 09.30

Registration, coffee and networking

09.30 – 09.40

Welcome address
Dr. Michael Allen, Assistant Provost for Research, Zayed University

09.40 – 10.00

Female PR practitioners in the UAE:
Exploring intersectionality and transnational feminism
Dr. Leysan Khakimova Storie, Assistant Professor, CCMS, Zayed University

10.00 – 10.20

Abu Dhabi as seen by tourists and by Emirati nationals:
Differences in image perception of a tourism destination.
Dr. Natasa Slak Valek, Associate Professor, CCMS, Zayed University
Dr. Russell Blair Williams, Assistant Professor, CCMS, Zayed University

10.20 – 10.40

Organizational-level drivers of employee engagement in the UAE:
Dr. Ganga Dhanesh, Assistant Dean, CCMS, Zayed University
Dr. Gaelle Duthler, Associate Dean, CCMS, Zayed University

10.40 – 11.00

Branding of Big Ticket Paid Raffle by Abu Dhabi Duty Free:
A Quantitative Study to Assess the Role of Group Influence in Developing Paid Raffle Participation in the MENA Region.
Dr. Mian Asim, Assistant Professor, CCMS, Zayed University

11.00 – 11.15

Refreshments and networking

11.15-12.00

Panel discussion: “Conducting research on strategic communication and public relations in the Middle East: Opportunities and challenges.”

Moderator-Badran Badran, Professor, CCMS, Zayed University

Panel members:

Dr. May Al-Khaja, Associate Professor, UAE University

Dr. John Mark King, Professor, American University Sharjah

Dr. Khaled Gaweesh, Associate Professor, Sharjah University

Dr. Carol Melhem-Moufarrej, American University in Dubai

12.00-12.30

Meet the Editor:
Chat with Dr. Bey-Ling Sha, Editor-in-chief of Journal of Public Relations Research on publishing in top communication journals

12.30-01.30

Lunch

01.30-02.00

Inauguration of IPR Research Symposium:
ZU Welcome: Dr. Marilyn Roberts, Provost, ZU
CCMS Welcome: Pam Creedon, Acting Dean, CCMS

02.00-02.30

Identity and Public Relations: Implications for the Profession, the Organization & the World
Dr. Bey-Ling Sha, APR, Professor and Director, School of Journalism and Media Studies, San Diego State University

02.30-03.00

Advancing the Science of Public Relations Through and Understanding of Research:
Dr. Tina McCorkindale, APR, President and CEO, Institute for Public Relations

03.00-03.15

Refreshments and networking

03.15-03.45

Behavioral Science : Its Importance and Implications for Communications World.
Dr. Sarab Kochhar, Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations

03.45-04.45

Panel on “Trends in practice, education and research in public relations and strategic communication in the United Arab Emirates”

Moderator: Pamela Creedon, Acting Dean, CCMS, Zayed University

Panel members:

Brian Lott, Chief Communications Officer, Mubadala

Mazen Nahawi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at CARMA

Dr. May Al-Khaja, Associate Professor, UAE University

Dr. Gaelle Duthler, Associate Dean, Zayed University

04.45-05.30

Closing reception and networking