Public Relations Bursary in Partnership with PRII and Open Doors Initiative Encourages Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Ireland’s Public Relations Industry
Harris PR has welcomed the second recipient of the annual DEI PR Bursary, Viktoriia Hurska, marking the continuation of the programme launched in 2024 to support emerging talent in the industry.
Viktoriia has commenced her nine-month paid internship at the award-winning agency and has recently commenced the PRII Diploma in Public Relations. Devised to contribute to a more diverse, stronger, stable future for PR and communications, the Harris PR Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Bursary was developed in partnership with The Open Door Initiative and the Public Relations Insitute of Ireland (PRII), to create a pathway for people from under-represented backgrounds in society to train and develop careers in public relations and communications.
Commenting on the announcement, Sonia Harris Pope, Founder and Managing Director of Harris PR, says:
“We established this initiative to help safeguard the future of the PR industry in Ireland and to provide a legacy for the years ahead. Our industry thrives on diverse perspectives and experiences, and as Ireland continues to evolve into a more inclusive nation, so too must the PR industry. Not everyone has a straightforward path to a career in PR, that’s certainly my own experience and that of many of my peers and colleagues. At Harris PR, we are committed to investing in the next generation of talent and have a strong track record of supporting those new to the profession and encouraging others to consider it. We hope to see more of our peers across the industry adopt inclusive approaches to nurturing new talent.
Viktoriia has already proven to be a fantastic addition to our team. From the initial stages of the interview process, she stood out as the ideal candidate for the 2025/26 Bursary, bringing valuable prior experience in PR as well as a clear passion for the industry. Living in Ireland, having survived some of the worst atrocities in our lifetime, she found it impossible to get a foot in the door of Irish agencies, with many opting for candidates who had stronger ‘local cultural knowledge’. In Viktoriia, we recognise the skills, resilience and enthusiasm she brings, and believe she has much to contribute to Harris PR, and the future of the industry.”
Viktoriia moved to Ireland from Ukraine as a war refugee in 2022 and has over eight years’ experience in communications and public relations. She is intent on pursuing a career in public relations in Ireland and with the help of the Bursary, sees the PRII Diploma along with her internship at Harris PR, as a real ‘open door’ to rebuilding her confidence, career and livelihood.
Viktoriia Hurska, Recipient of the Harris PR DEI Bursary comments: “Receiving the Harris PR Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Bursary feels like the first real step in reconnecting with the profession I love since being displaced by the war in Ukraine. Starting out in a new market is never simple – that’s why initiatives like this, opening doors for migrants and refugees, make all the difference.
With over 9 years of professional experience, and solid language skills I often heard: “we went with someone more rooted in local experience.” I get it – hiring someone from outside is a risk. But what looks like a risk is, in fact, an opportunity – to bring perspective, and cultural insights that push the profession forward.
Being Ukrainian means carrying the strength of 42 million people – their resilience, creativity, and belief in family and community. Our references may differ, but our values are the same – and while I am honoured to learn, I am equally committed to contribute and prove it through my work.”
PRII CEO Laura Wall commented: “At PRII, we are committed to ensuring that Ireland’s PR and communications profession reflects the diversity of the society it serves. Viktoriia’s award is a shining example of talent that brings fresh perspectives and experience to our sector, and we are thrilled to support her journey through the Diploma in Public Relations and the Harris PR internship.”
Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors commented: “We are delighted to work again with Harris PR and the PRII on this internship. Diversity is not a nice-to-have. It is business doing business. Inclusion is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. It improves performance, strengthens reputation, leads to employee engagement and fuels long-term success. Inclusion is hearts and smarts and we look forward to working with more companies to this aim.”
ENDS
For further information please contact hello@harrispr.ie or vidya@prii.ie.
Notes to Editors:
About the PRII and the The PRII Diploma in Public Relations
The PRII is the professional representative body for public relations and communications practitioners in Ireland. Established in 1953, the Institute is dedicated to promoting the highest professional and ethical practice of public relations. There are currently over 1,200 members of the Institute working across all sectors: in-house in private and public companies; in national and local government and in semi-state bodies; in voluntary and charitable organisations; and in agencies.
About Harris PR
Harris Public Relations is an award-winning, full-service PR agency, specialising in traditional and digital communications. Founded in 2009 by Sonia Harris Pope, a former journalist with the Sunday Independent and an experienced PR consultant, we are proud to be one of only 35 member agencies of the PRCA, Ireland’s regulatory body for public relations. Our mission is to combine creativity, strategy and outstanding service to deliver campaigns that achieve measurable impact for our clients. We are passionate storytellers with a strategic, creative and content-led approach. Whether shaping brand identity, driving consumer engagement, or managing corporate reputation, we work with our clients to design and deliver campaigns that resonate across traditional, digital, and social media channels. Our focus is always on achieving meaningful outcomes, from enhancing visibility to strengthening stakeholder trust.
About ODI
The Open Doors Initiative provides opportunities to some of the under-represented members of our society. They create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship. Some of the people they work with include refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth, those from a Traveller or Roma background, LGBTIQ+, people with a criminal past, and any intersectionality between the groups. In Ireland today, these groups face higher barriers to employment than most others. Many are cut out of work, even during the recent times of nearly full employment.