In this episode of Engage, host Ben Verinder, managing director of Chalkstream, explores a critical question for every PR professional: how can we help organisations make better decisions? Joined by Dr Jon White, consultant in public relations and organisational development, and Shayoni Lynn, CEO and founder of behavioural science communications consultancy, Lynn Group, the conversation examines the biases that undermine even experienced leaders and the unique role communications professionals can play in challenging flawed thinking.

From Apple's decade-long Project Titan initiative to groupthink in the 2008 financial crisis, the panel discuss how cognitive shortcuts often lead to costly mistakes. The conversation also tackles contemporary challenges facing the profession, including bias in AI systems, the ethics of applying behavioural science in communications, and issues of ageism within PR itself.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• CIPR's Behavioural Science training collection
• Government Communication Service - Guidance
• Lynn Global's library of articles, updates, and case studies on using behavioural science to improve lives

CIPR members can earn 5 CPD points for listening to an episode of Engage.

Share your thoughts about this episode and your experiences on LinkedIn using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global

This conversation examines the pathways to director and non-executive director roles for PR professionals, the unique perspective communications experts bringing to board-level decision making, and practical advice for practitioners considering this career progression.

Hosted by Ann-Marie Blake FCIPR, Co-Founder of True Comms, this episode investigates key aspects of board participation including the differences between trustee and non-executive director positions, how effective boards operate, managing time commitments, and overcoming imposter syndrome when transitioning to leadership roles.

Joining Ann-Marie for this discussion are:

· Noha Al Afifi MCIPR, CIPR Board member, Deputy Chief Executive of Arthritis Action

· Stephen Waddington Found. Chart. PR, Hon FCIPR, Founder of Wadds Inc

Share your thoughts on the topics discussed in this episode on LinkedIn, using #CIPREngage and tagging @CIPR_Global.

If you're a member of the CIPR, you can log 5 CPD points for listening to this episode.

In this episode of Engage, Melissa Fleming (UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications) leads a thought-provoking exploration into the complex debate around misinformation with guests Dr. Leon Hawthorne (former CNN, CNBC and BBC broadcaster) and Tom Southern (Director of Special Projects at the Center for Information Resilience) offering contrasting views on its impact and scale.

From social media monetisation to the challenges facing traditional media in adapting to digital spaces, our guests examine how technological change has transformed our information landscape. Their discussion spans critical issues including platform responsibility, institutional trust in polarised environments, and what role communications and PR professionals might play in fostering healthier information ecosystems.

Further resources:

• Training: Disinformation, Misinformation & Malinformation
• CIPR Influencing the Future conference: Deepfakes and the age of synthetic media
• Webinar: Misinformation