PR Headed in Right Direction on Diversity, Empathy and Ethics, Though Long Road is Ahead

[Editor’s Note: In late February and early March, PRNEWS and the University of Georgia collaborated on a survey of 400+ PR pros, asking them about crisis, diversity and leadership. Below are preliminary findings. PRNEWS subscribers will receive a white paper with complete findings and analysis later this year.]

At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be the norm in organizations, it is not. A new survey from the University of Georgia (UGA) and PRNEWS shows a consistent shortfall on diversity-related efforts.

For example, almost 30 percent of 400+ U.S. PR pros disagree with the statement that their organization has a team focused on improving DEI (see chart 1).

Chart 1

[Note: Charts show participant totals, not percentages.]

Although, 60 percent say DEI is emphasized in their organization, the nearly 30 percent who indicate it is not seems too large to ignore.

This group of roughly 30 percent of respondents is seen in several of the survey’s DEI-related questions.

Also too large to ignore, though predictable, is the response to a question about diverse leadership.