3rd International Summer Academy on Political Consulting and Strategic Campaign Communication

Convenors/Organizers:

Prof. Dr. Andrea Römmele
Professor for Communication Management
International University in Germany, Bruchsal

Dr. habil. Martin Thunert
Centre for North American Studies (ZENAF)
Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Germany
Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA)
University of Heidelberg, Germany


Administrative Manager and Academic Assistant:
Sarah Bastgen


Funded by: Volkswagen Foundation, Hannover, Germany


The Volkswagen-Foundation Summer Academy on Political Consulting and Strategic Campaign Communications examines the state of research as well as the state of current practises in political communication, modern campaign management, political consulting and Public Relations. It focuses on the growing professionalisation of elections, political communication, modern campaign and PR techniques.

The Summer Academy, which we be held in English and will last four days from September 25 through 29, 2007 will comprise lectures, roundtables, workshops and small seminars which will be taught by an international faculty from countries such as Germany, Austria, United States, Britain etc., featuring recognized academic experts in the fields of political communication, campaigns, elections and Public Relations. In addition, and throughout the course, there will be several guest lecturers, political consultants and other professionals in the fields of communications strategy, international electioneering, and political advocacy.

Students in this Summer Academy will be introduced to the current state of research on the professionalisation of political consulting, on international electioneering, issue advocacy, campaign management and techniques, election analysis, and party vs. candidate-centred politics, and campaign finance etc. Case studies of different kinds of campaigns will be analysed and classics of political communication and campaign literature will be discussed in small groups. Students will also be exposed to the practical and technical elements of effective communications in different kinds of campaigns, (election, issue advocacy, referendum as well as lobbying campaigns), including conceptualisation of strategy, development of message and speechwriting, and use of different types of media. The roles of pollsters, opposition researchers etc. as well as the function of tv debates and the phenomenon of personalisation will be addressed. There will be a special session in cooperation with the University of Duisburg-Essen focusing on government communication, which allows for the growing complexity regarding the communication of political decisions and processes from political actors to the citizens.

The Summer Academy invites applications from a diverse group of people with a demonstrable interest in political consulting and campaign communications:
Advanced students as well as graduates in the social sciences including economics and in humanities; doctoral students, professionals from the fields of journalism, media, NGOs, political parties, interest and advocacy groups. The organizers and Volkswagen Foundation encourages applications from citizens of central and eastern European countries.

For further information on contents and application procedure, please contact: