Donald Alexander
Senior Lecturer
Course Coordinator
MA (Communication - Org Comm) CSturt, LLB UOtago
Bachelor of Laws, Otago University, New Zealand
Master of Arts (Communication-Organisational Communication), Charles Sturt University,
Donald Alexander
Bio
“The really interesting aspect about the public relations and organisational communication courses are how many graduates you keep meeting with employment in the corporate world, in consulting and not for profits. Zoos, blood banks, financial services, high tech companies and strategic consultancies are only a few of the many exciting and diverse jobs that the course prepares you for.”
Donald Alexander has held senior public relations management positions in both the finance and manufacturing sectors. He has also managed consultancies in technology and general sectors.
Donald is now a Senior Lecturer in Public relations and Organisational Communication, in the School of Communication . Prior to joining CSU, he worked as a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Professional Communication at Central Queensland University .
Teaching
I am responsible for the first two core public relations subjects (COM116 and COM215), and have taught the organisational communication subject COM218. I developed two new subjects, COM232 and COM336. COM232 is based around students working in small groups and engaging in real projects within the regional community that gives them real experience. COM336 involves inviting senior practitioners from industry specialisations to workshop with the students. The other subject is COM318 (Public Affairs) which has now been developed as an online offering to provide students with the experience of working with new media.
Research
Donald is enrolled in a PhD at Charles Sturt University where he is studying aspects of leadership communication. He is Research Productive and his interests are:
- The impact of technology on public relations practice
- Organisational communication: communication satisfaction and productivity
- Media-agenda setting, perception management and corporate image
- Ethics in contemporary public relations practice.
Recent publications and Conference papers
Publications
Alexander, D., (2002). New Information and Communication Technologies and the “Demassification” of Public Relations, Australian New Zealand Communication Association On-line Journal. July, 2002. http://www.bond.edu.au/hss/communication/ANZCA/anzca.html
Alexander, D., (2004). Changing the public relations curriculum: A new challenge for educators. PR-ism Online Public Relations Journal. http://www.praxis.bond.edu.au/prism/index.htm
Conference papers
Alexander, D. (2007). The Chief Executive Officer, communication and reputation: What competencies are required? (PDF, 95KB); Refereed paper delivered at 14th International Public Relations Symposium, Bled, Slovenia, July 7, 2007.
Alexander, D. (2001) Media Online: Influencing Media in the Era of the Internet. Corporate Communication and Technology, New York Conference Board conference, Sydney , Australia , 1 March 2001 .
Alexander, D. (2001). How will the Quality Agenda affect Public Relations? Australian Vice Chancellors Committee, Public Relations and Marketing Conference, Townsville, 26 July 2001 .
Curriculum Vitae
Book Chapters
Alexander, D. 2008. Chapter 8 Internal Communication and Improving Productivity and Morale at AMP, from Sheehan,M and Xavier,R.2008. Public Relations Campaigns, South Melbourne, Oxford University Press, pages 114-124.
