Amy Thurlow

Amy Thurlow is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), within the Professional Studies at the Mount school. Her research focuses on identity construction, critical historiography, and organizational communication, with a particular emphasis on the intersections of power, legitimization, and knowledge production in organizational and historical contexts. She holds a PhD from Saint Mary’s University and is a Fellow of the Canadian Public Relations Society (FCPRS).

Thurlow leads a SSHRC-funded Sociology of Management Knowledge Network (2013–2018), exploring the production of management knowledge in Canada, and is principal investigator for the GAP VIII Canadian study, examining public relations practices internationally. Her work bridges critical theory with empirical research, contributing to understanding organizational change dynamics and the role of communication in legitimizing institutional narratives.

Selected accolades include the 2014 Best Paper Award from the Business History Division for her critical historiography of Canadian public relations. Her academic contributions span textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, and conference presentations, addressing themes like sensemaking in organizations, identity crises in professions, and the unseen actors in change processes.

Thurlow’s interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis with contemporary organizational challenges, emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions of communication practices. Her research partnerships with industry bodies like the Canadian Public Relations Society underscore her commitment to bridging academic theory and professional practice.