Dr. Elina Erzikova

Elina Erzikova

Dr. Elina Erzikova holds her doctorate in mass communication with a cognate in political science and an emphasis in international journalism and public relations, and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Tashkent State University (the former USSR). In Russia, she made her way from being a reporter to being the editor-in-chief of a regional newspaper.

While working as a journalist, she volunteered to handle media relations for a number of local organizations, including a city orphanage and NGO that fought HIV/AIDS in the Penza region. She also worked as a Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee/Public Relations Manager for the all-Russia political party, United Russia, in the Penza region.

Elina is an assistant professor of public relations at Central Michigan University. She received a $30,000 grant from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at CMU to study the cultural specifics of Russian public relations, which is a little explored area in international public relations. In 2012, she was honored as one of four emerging scholars by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Elina has published numerous articles, including the following studies on leadership:

  • Erzikova, E., & Berger, B. (2012). Leadership education in the public relations curriculum: Reality, opportunities, and benefits. Public Relations Journal, 6(3).
  • Erzikova, E., & Berger, B. (2011). Creativity vs. Ethics: Russian and U.S. public relations students’ perceptions of professional leadership and leaders. Public Relations Journal, 5(3).
  • Berger, B., & Erzikova, E. (2008). Ethics in public relations: American and Russian students’ perspectives on professional challenges. Russian Journal of Communication, 2, 149-167.
  • Erzikova, E., & Berger, B. (2008). West meets East: Cross-cultural look at American and Russian public relations students’ perceptions of leadership style and ethics. Public Relations Journal, 2(3).

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