LevelFile
Ref NoBPS/001/11/02/01
TitleBPS Press and Communications Correspondence 1984-1987
Date1984-1987
Extent1 folder1
Physical Description2 folders
DescriptionCorrespondence relating to the press and communications function of the British Psychologist Society BPS including Standing Press Committee.

Includes membership and restructuring of the Standing Press Committee; regional representatives agenda and minutes 10 October 1984; psychology project award; statement on use of the polygraph; report of Nottingham University postgraduate officers visits to BPS London Conference Press Office (April 1985); correspondence with BBC concerning their portrayal of psychologists; COI news distribution service; notes of a meeting with the BMA (4 July 1986); Development Section conference log of media enquiries (September 1986); Presidential speeches; animal experimentation boycott by students; achievements of psychology; copy for media column in BPS Bulletin; copy for articles in Outlook; Press Committee request to edit Section press releases (February 1987); proposed award for psychology reporting; notes on the possible role of a DCP [Division of Clinical Psychology] press officer (April 1987); suggestions for Press Council membership (1986-1987).
FormatFile
NotesThe History of Psychology Centre is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our users. Be aware that our catalogue contains historic terminology relating to mental health which could be considered offensive. The terminology exists within the original record and has been retained to inform users on viewpoints at the time. It in no way reflects the attitudes of the cataloguers or the British Psychological Society.
Files of Chris Arundell, Secretary of Press Committee and of Stephen White BPS Director of Information. John Morton Chairman of Press Committee 1984
LanguageEnglish
Related MaterialBPS/001/11/01 BPS Press and Communications Committees
BPS/002/2/01 Division of Clinical Psychology
BPS/001/11/03/01/03 Press release and report on polygraph
BPS/001/11/04/02/04/05 Statement on the Use of the Polygraph
BPS/001/4/02/05/04 BPS Correspondence with Sir George Porter on 'Pseudo-Science' comments 1986
RelatedRecordBPS/001/11/01
BPS/002/2/01
BPS/001/11/04/02/04/05
BPS/001/4/02/05/04
AccessConditionsRegistered Users by Appointment Only.
AccessStatusOpen
Location13: BPS History of Psychology Centre, London
TermPublic Relations
AdminHistoryThe first report on public relations was in 1946 by T H Pear [see BPS Council Papers 25 May 1946]. A public relations committee was founded in 1955 and was a short lived working party.
In 1971 Nicholas Georgiades and Professor Arthur Summerfield arranged a press conference at Brown's Hotel to draw attention to the BPS response to Sir John Foster's report on Scientology [See BPS/001/4/01/03/01]. After advice from Mr Christopher Hall, Barbara Castle's Information officer on setting up a press function - a Standing Press Committee was formed in October 1971 under the Chairmanship of Dr Georgiades - they produced press releases and started recruiting spokespeople and setting up a media training courses for them - the first of which was held in June 1972. Early press efforts were concentrated on promoting the conferences and journal articles but later encompassed promoting BPS policy, positions, activities and the profession of psychology.

In 1973 Susan Best PA to the Secretary General took on the additional role of 'Public Relations Secretary', this was later held by Mrs M Clark, the post existed until 1976.

Stephen White joined the BPS staff as Director of Communications in 1985 and started organising regular media training from 1986 onwards. By October 1991 the Press Committee was no longer a standing committee but a subcommittee of the Information Committee (which itself took over from the Standing Committee on Communications SCCOMS 1984-1990). The Information Committee became the Communications Committee in 1998 as part of the Society's strategic plan. This became the Publications and Communications Board in 2000.

A press officer was recruited in 1991.
RulesDescription compiled in line with the following: ISAD (G) General International Standard Archival Description MAD3 Third Edition 2000
ArchNoteCompiled by Claire Jackson BPS Archivist History of Psychology Centre.

Show related Persons records.

Persons
CodePersonNameDates
BPS/GB/148The British Psychological Society; Standing Committee on Communications; 1984-1990; (SCComms)1984-1990
BPS/GB/500White; Stephen Grant (1949-2010); Director of Information1949-2010
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