About
Biography
Dr Karen Sutherland is a social media and public relations educator, researcher and consultant with more than 20 years industry experience in marketing, public relations and communication roles for organisations such as ABCTV, Fremantle Media, and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. As the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Communication (Social Media) program, Dr Sutherland is dedicated to demystifying the technology for local business, community, and nonprofits. Dr Sutherland’s passion also lies in connecting social media students to business-owners from the Sunshine Coast community who seek social media support.
Dr Sutherland’s work has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals, is the author of Strategic Social Media Management: Theory and Practice by Palgrave Macmillan and the co-author of Public Relations and Strategic Communication published by Oxford University Press. Dr Sutherland has also presented her research at conferences and industry events in Australia, New Zealand and Portugal, led Social Media Study Tours to Vietnam and Hong Kong and regularly delivers social media workshops and coaching sessions to clients from a range of industries.
Professional memberships
- Social Media Marketing Institute
Teaching areas
- Social Media
- Social Media Pedagogy
- Strategic Communication
- Public Relations
Program coordinator
Expert media commentary
Dr Sutherland’s specialist areas of knowledge include social media for business and nonprofit organisations, work integrated learning, strategic communication, social media and employability, social media education, blended learning.