GWPR Rising Stars Award: when your thesis becomes a career springboard

Every year hundreds of brilliant theses on communication, sustainability and inclusion end up archived on university servers. Research that could inspire innovative strategies and truly make a difference in the sector. But they remain there, unused.

GWPR Rising Stars Award was born precisely to reverse this dynamic: transforming a thesis into a concrete professional starting point. Not a symbolic prize, but a real pathway into the public relations profession.

The award

The award is part of THE PRIZE – the Italian Public Relations Award by UNA (Aziende della Comunicazione Unite) – and represents a new category specifically dedicated to emerging young talents. The objective is clear: to recognize those who are distinguishing themselves through creativity, leadership attitude and innovative contribution in the world of communication.

It’s not about celebrating the best academic paper as an end in itself, but about identifying research that has practical relevance for the sector and application potential in contemporary communication strategies.

Who can apply

The award is aimed at those under 35 who have defended their thesis (master’s, postgraduate or PhD) in the last 24 months at UNA partner universities: IULM, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Bocconi, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Milano-Bicocca, Università degli Studi di Milano and Università degli Studi di Pavia.

Topics must fall within specific areas:

• Gender communication and representation
• Female and inclusive leadership
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in corporate communication
• Sustainability and responsible communication
• PR and digital with focus on equity
• Stakeholder engagement on social issues
• Measurement of social communication impact

A selection that reflects the sector’s strategic priorities: communication today must deal with social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability. These are no longer accessory topics, but central ones.

How to apply

Applications opened on November 20, 2025, the deadline is set for February 16, 2026. Applications must be sent through the university contact person or through the agency of belonging (if already working or doing an internship) to info@gwpr.it.

What’s needed? A concise presentation of maximum 10 slides or a 30-second video that includes: thesis summary, problem analysis, methodology and results, relevance for the PR sector. The attention to brevity is not random: in the world of communication, knowing how to synthesize is already a professional skill.

What you really win

Here lies the difference compared to classic academic awards. Not a certificate to hang, but a concrete pathway into the profession.

The winner receives:

• Direct access to the network of over 300 UNA agencies, of which GWPR Italia is part
• 6-month mentorship with GWPR senior professionals: four one-to-one sessions with those who have built solid careers in the sector
  
• Immediate visibility: publication of research on GWPR, UNA and PR Hub channels, presentation at the award ceremony, feature on LinkedIn and industry media
• Placement through the GWPR/UNA network: direct introductions to agencies looking for new talents
• 12 months of GWPR events to build professional relationships with sector decision makers

The second and third place finishers also receive a certificate of merit, abstract publication, invitation to the award ceremony and networking opportunities.

Why this award is different

GWPR Italia is part of UNA – Aziende della Comunicazione Unite, the organization that represents the communication sector in Italy. Winning this award means being introduced directly to the places where hiring, projects and concrete opportunities are decided.

The jury is composed of university professors, GWPR and PR Hub representatives, senior PR professionals with expertise in DE&I and sustainability. An evaluation that crosses academic rigor and professional relevance.

The value of applied research

Behind this award is an important awareness: the best theses contain insights, data and methodologies that the market is looking for. We need bridges, not walls.

GWPR Rising Stars Award is one of these bridges. An opportunity to create dialogue between academic research and professional practice, theory and concrete application. And to tell young talents that their research work doesn’t have to end up in a drawer, but can become the first chapter of a career.

Hai discusso una tesi su questi temi? It might be time to make it known to the sector.

For information and applications: info@gwpr.it More details at: www.theprize.it

In collaboration with: UNA, PR HUB, GWPR Italia, The Prize