RADFORD -- Radford University communication professor Vincent Hazleton represented the university recently in a program that joined together members of the Public Relations Society of America with the U.S. Department of State to discuss global communications and public diplomacy.

The program addressed the importance of communication and professional communicators in the diplomacy process. Hazleton (right) sits on the PRSA board of directors.

The event was hosted by ambassador Karen Hughes, under secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs for the State Department, and Rhoda Weiss, PRSA national chair and CEO.

“This is an outgrowth of PRSA’s Advocacy program in which it takes positions on issues of national importance,” Hazleton said.

Hazleton’s primary research interests include public relations, communication theory and research methods. He is the author of numerous articles in the area of public relations and research methods and co-editor of one of the leading graduate level texts in public relations. 

Hazleton has been active in the public relations profession for nearly 30 years. He has published numerous books and journal articles on communication and public relations, and his 1988 book “Public Relations Theory” received the PRIDE award from the public relations division of the National Communication Association. Hazleton’s 2006 book “Public Relations Theory II” was selected as book of the year by the Public Relations Division of the National Communication Association.