Katharina Wolf is an Associate Professor in the School of Management and Marketing at Curtin University, Perth, where she leads the Faculty of Business and Law’s strategic communication and public relations programs.

An internationally recognised educator, researcher and professional leader, Katharina draws on almost three decades of experience across Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Australia. She combines professional expertise, academic research and legal knowledge to examine strategic communication as an ethical and socially consequential practice. Her work considers how communication influences behaviour, trust, relationships and decision-making, particularly where organisational choices have wider consequences for communities and the public interest.

Katharina has published in leading journals including Public Relations Review, Public Relations Inquiry, Journal of Communication Management, Higher Education Research & Development, International Communication Gazette, Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Journal of Australia. She is also a regular media commentator on reputation management, social media, risk, controversy and public trust.

Professional leadership and service

Katharina is Chair of the Public Relations and Communication Association (PRCA) Global Education Advisory Board and Deputy Chair of the Asia Pacific Public Relations Research and Education Network (APPRREN). She is also a member of the PRCA Asia Pacific Sustainability Communication and Reputation committees and the International University Advisory Group.

She has held sustained leadership roles within the Australian communication profession, including:

• Chair, Public Relations Institute of Australia National Education Committee, 2015–2023
• National Board Director, Public Relations Institute of Australia, 2011–2016
• President, Public Relations Institute of Australia WA, 2011–2013
• Deputy President, Public Relations Institute of Australia WA, 2008–2010
• WA Council member, Public Relations Institute of Australia, 2007–2016
• Chair, PRIA Young Guns, 2007–2009
• Vice Chair, Young Professionals Network WA, 2008–2009
• Member, AMEC Educators and Academics Special Interest Group

She continues to contribute to the profession as a long-standing judge of the Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) Golden Target Awards.

Fellowships and professional standing

Fellow, Communication and Public Relations Australia

Chartered Public Relations Practitioner, Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Senior Fellow, Advance HE

Fellow, Curtin Academy

Member, International Communication Association

Member and Institutional Representative, Public Relations Communication Association

Academic and professional contribution

Katharina regularly reviews for journals including Public Relations Inquiry, Public Relations Review, Journal of Communication Management, Tobacco Control, International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal of International Communication and Social Sciences & Humanities Open.

She also reviews for major academic and professional conferences, including the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Conference, World Public Relations Forum, Communication and Public Relations Australia National Research Symposium, and Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Conference.

Earlier professional experience

Before entering higher education, Katharina completed qualifications as a Foreign Language Secretary and Publishing Manager in Germany. Her publishing apprenticeship was undertaken with Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH, one of Europe’s leading specialist publishing houses, with a focus on water sports, cycling and motoring. This early professional experience continues to inform her interest in publishing, media, storytelling and communication practice.