Lee Bush and Karen Lindsey publish textbook on diversity, equity, and inclusion in strategic communications

Lee Bush, professor of strategic communications, and Karen Lindsey, assistant professor of strategic communications, recently published a textbook, titled “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Strategic Communications: Becoming Culturally Proficient Communicators.” The book was released by Routledge Taylor & Francis on August 15 and features chapters from School of Communications faculty members Vanessa Bravo, Qian Xu and Michele Lashley.

While many current communications textbooks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) focus on internal efforts within organizations and workplaces, the new book centers DEI as an integral part of the external communications process. The textbook’s 11 chapters align with the core courses most often taught in public relations, advertising and marketing communications programs. The two opening chapters examine DEI definitions and concepts and explore intersectional social identities. Subsequent chapters discuss how to apply these concepts to written and visual storytelling, inclusive digital and social media strategies, culturally sensitive research methods, the campaign planning process, working on diverse teams, inclusive leadership skills, and brand/organization reputation management. The culminating chapter investigates how strategic communications is employed by social justice advocates and activists to promote social change.

According to Bush, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Strategic Communications” helps fill a content gap in strategic communications programs.

“While accrediting bodies, industry leaders, and professional associations have called on educators to incorporate DEI knowledge and skills across the curriculum, instructors often lack teaching resources to make this a reality in the classroom,” the strategic communications professor said. “This book helps fill that gap by teaching students how to apply a multicultural lens across research, planning, and execution and build the cultural competence needed to become more effective practitioners.”

Added Lindsey, “We hope this book will serve as a vital teaching and learning resource for instructors and students seeking to understand the complexities of communicating with diverse identities. That understanding will ultimately help them create campaigns that authentically resonate with the diverse audiences that brands want to reach.”

Along with each chapter, the textbook includes an instructor hub where instructors can access class discussion questions, in-class activities, prompts for short written student reflections, student assignment suggestions, quizzes, and links to videos and other resources.

The book is available for order on the Routledge website and Amazon.com.

Bush and Lindsey have regularly contributed to important conversations regarding DEI and fostering communities that respect diverse views, perspectives and expressions.

At Elon, Bush has worked across the university to infuse DEI into the curriculum, including receiving two Diversity & Inclusion Grants, co-chairing Elon’s DEI Curriculum Working Group, serving as chair of the School of Communications Inclusive Excellence Committee, and participating in a faculty exchange with North Carolina A&T State University. In collaboration with Bravo, Bush researched, developed, and tested diversity, equity, and inclusion teaching modules in four core Strategic Communications Department courses.

Since joining the School of Communications in fall 2021, Lindsey has been active on campus and is a highly sought after speaker for insights into leadership, public relations, corporate communications and DEI. She was a keynote speaker for the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows Forum, a featured speaker at the Elon 2022 Black Solidarity Forum, and a presenter at regional and national Public Relations Society of American functions.

Both Lindsey and Bush teach the Inclusive Communications course, a new required class in the School of Communications.

For their efforts, Lindsey and Bush have been recognized with the school’s Excellence in Diversity Award, acknowledging faculty members who provide exceptional leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion and enhance DEI initiatives across the school through action-oriented outcomes. Lindsey was the award’s inaugural recipient in 2023, and Bush was honored in spring 2024.