Edward J. Downes

Associate Professor of Public Relations

BA, St. Bonaventure University
MPA, George Mason University
PhD, Syracuse University.

Dr. Downes, prior to joining academia full time, worked professionally for ten years for communications programs throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C. He held positions as a marketing representative, personnel specialist, campaign organizer, special events producer and performer, resource development manager, research associate, and public relations director. He worked for CapitalCare (a subsidiary of Blue Cross/Shield), the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Organization (an international trade association), the Wonder Company (a special events firm), the Child Welfare League of America (a national advocacy organization), D&S Whyte (a marketing firm), and the United States Congress (in the offices of Congressman George Wortley and the Clerk of the House). In the last year his peer-reviewed work has been accepted for publication in The Encyclopedia of Social Interaction Technologies, the Journal of Mental Health Counseling, and Government Public Relations: A Reader. He is continuing study of Capitol Hill’s press secretaries, the topic of his doctoral dissertation, and is writing a book with the working title Messages from the Hill: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Congressional Press Secretary. Additionally, he is exploring communication between the Massachusetts Legislature and the state’s media outlets; the relationship between ecoterrorism and public relations; and “power” and its influence on mediated, organizational, and interpersonal communications. He serves as a speaker and workshop presenter where he discusses public relations in the private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors, and has authored/co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and papers. Dr. Downes was the recipient of the College of Communication’s 2005 Lyndon Baines Johnson Advisor of the Year Award.