Dr Roumen Dimitrov

Dr Roumen Dimitrov

Honorary Senior Lecturer

BA Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany), PhD Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Arts,Design & Architecture
School of the Arts and Media

Dr Roumen Dimitrov is Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Advertising in the School of the Arts and Media at University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Roumen was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. He completed his BA (Hons) at Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany in 1982. He received his PhD in Sociology of the Media from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 1987. He conducted his post-doctoral research in comparative media studies at the Scientific Centre Berlin for Social Research (WZB) in 1993-1994. Roumen has taught journalism, sociology, cultural and media studies at Sofia University, Bulgaria. He has been a visiting scholar of the universities of Bielefeld and Vienna as well of the Federal Institute for International And East European Studies (BIOST) in Köln and Ost-West Institute in München. He has also conducted professional qualification courses for German government officers at the Federal Academy for Political Education in Köln and Academy for Political Education in Tutzing, near München. After moving to Australia, he continued his academic career at various tertiary institutions, including as Lecturer in Public Relations at University of Western Sydney and Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Advertising at University of New South Wales in Sydney – which is also his present position.

Roumen took active part in the political transitions in Eastern Europe. He made his name as correspondent, analyst, columnist and TV moderator, earning awards as journalist and writer. He was the founder and first director of Civic Institute (in partnership with the Foundation for the Development of the Civil Society), which supported independent media and civil society research. As communications professional, he worked for the British Balkan Survey Service (BBSS) Gallup International and as strategist for the Premier’s Department of the Government of New South Wales. He participated in major international research projects such as of the institutionalization of independent media in the process of European integration (European Commission and Bertelsmann Foundation) and the state of the civil society in political transition (Johns Hopkins University and American Agency for International Development). More recently, he conducted a communication audit for the Director General of UNESCO and a study of communicative capacity of nonprofit organizations in Australia.

Roumen is an active researcher who focuses on professionally important topics such as nonprofit communication, content creation, strategic communication, social innovation, integrated marketing communications, engagement, social media analytics and public relations as agent of change. His innovative teaching methods in community engagement and experiential learning by PR students have earned for him university and national awards in Australia. Roumen is a member of the editorial boards of PRism and Global Media Journal (GMJ). He has written five and edited three more books. His 2017 book, published by Routledge in the New Directions in Public Relations and Communication Research series, introduces the new topic of strategic silence as an extreme but also mainstream form of strategic communication. He has also published more than forty journal articles and book sections in three languages. His publications figure in established international journals such as Public Relations Review, Public Relations Inquiry, Public Affairs and GMJ.

Phone
+61 2 9385 8535
Location
122, Level 1 Robert Webster
  • Books | 2017
    Dimitrov RG, 2017, Strategic silence: Public relations and indirect communication, Routledge; 1 edition (September 27, 2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315657851
    Books | 1998
    1998, The Civil Organization: Definition and Classification, Civil Sector Research, 1(winter 1998), Dimitrov R, (ed.), Civil Society Development Foundation and Civil Institute Foundation, Sofia
    Books | 1994
    Dimitrov R, 1994, Scandalless, Original, Christo Botev, Sofia
    Books | 1992
    Dimitrov R, 1992, Tribunal or forum? Reflections and essays, Original, Georges Naef, Geneva - Paris - Sofia
    Books | 1991
    Dimitrov R, 1991, NomenCulture, Original, Sofia University Press, Sofia
    Books | 1990
    1990, Pluralism, Dimitrov R; Vakarelova V; Minkov J, (eds.), Science and Arts Publishing, Sofia
  • Book Chapters | 2020
    Dimitrov R, 2020, 'Political Organizations', in List R; Anheier H; Toepler S (ed.), International Encyclopedia of Civil Society, Springer, Cham, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99675-2_119-1
    Book Chapters | 2009
    Dimitrov R, 2009, 'Political organisations', in Anheier HK; Toepler S (ed.), International Encyclopedia of Civil Society, edn. Original, Springer, Berlin, pp. 1244 - 1248
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Dimitrov R, 2000, 'Bulgaria – Russia: A mediation crisis?', in Hatschikjan M (ed.), Beyond West Politics: The Foreign Policy of the Eastern European States in Change, edn. Original, Leske + Budrich, Opladen, pp. 193 - 207
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Dimitrov R, 2000, 'Institutionalising politically independent media systems in Eastern and Central Europe: A comparative analysis', in Lozanov G; Deyanova L (ed.), Media in Change, edn. Original, Soros Institute and Open Society Foundation, Sofia, pp. 7 - 35
    Book Chapters | 2000
    Dimitrov R, 2000, 'Media and Myths in Eastern Europe: Theses and antitheses', in Lozanov G; Spassov O (ed.), Media and Myths in Eastern Europe: Theses and antitheses, edn. Original, Soros Institute and Open Society Foundation, Sofia, pp. 347 - 367
    Book Chapters | 1999
    Dimitrov R, 1999, 'Challenging the civil competence: Legal-institutional and legitimacy problems of the mass media and civil organizations as public intermediators', in Karasimeonov G; Konstantinov E (ed.), Bulgaria 1998: Values and public opinion, edn. Original, Gortex Press, Sofia, pp. 26 - 50
    Book Chapters | 1999
    Dimitrov R, 1999, 'Post-communism as an eliteless society: Fragments on the cultural background of the Mafia-building in Bulgaria', in Hatschikjan MA; Altmann F-L (ed.), Elites in Change, edn. Original, Verlag Wissenschaft und Politik, Cologne, pp. 63 - 102
    Book Chapters | 1999
    Dimitrov R, 1999, 'The Bulgarian Elite: The fragile transformation from “intelligentsia” to “experts”', in Höpken W; Sündhaussen H (ed.), Elites in South-eastern Europe: Roles, continuities, discontinuances in history and nowadays, edn. Original, Osteuropa-Gesellschaft, Südosteuropa-Jahrbuch 29, Munich, pp. 243 - 260
    Book Chapters | 1998
    Dimitrov R, 1998, 'The civil sector: Scope, size and composition', in Dimitrov R (ed.), The civil sector: Definition and classification, edn. Original, Civil Society Development Foundation and Civic Institute Foundation, Civil Sector Research, 1(winter 1998), Sofia, pp. 13 - 19
    Book Chapters | 1996
    Dimitrov R; Deimel J, 1996, 'Bulgaria', in Weidenfeld W (ed.), Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union: Problems and Prospects of Integration, edn. Original, Bertelsmann Science Foundation Publishers [Strategies for Europe Series], Gütersloh, pp. 72 - 90
    Book Chapters | 1995
    Dimitrov R, 1995, 'Bulgaria', in Weidenfeld W (ed.), Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union: Problems and Prospects of Integration, edn. Original, Bertelsmann Science Foundation [Strategies for Europe Series], Gütersloh, pp. 23 - 50
    Book Chapters | 1995
    Dimitrov R, 1995, 'Security policy and ethnic conflicts', in Seewann G (ed.), Minorities as conflict potential in Central and South-eastern Europe, edn. Original, Oldenburg (UGS 31)., Munich, pp. 174 - 199
    Book Chapters | 1995
    Dimitrov R, 1995, 'Turks, tobacco, and politics: Economizing the ethnic conflicts in Bulgaria', in Hatschikjan MA; Weilemamann PR (ed.), Ethnics, State and Policy in New Eastern Europe, edn. Original, Verlag Wissenschaft und Politik, Cologne, pp. 75 - 89
    Book Chapters | 1993
    Dimitrov R, 1993, 'Bulgaria', in Grothusen KD (ed.), Eastern and South-eastern Europe in change, edn. Original, Süedosteuropa Gesellschaft, Munich, pp. 149 - 162
    Book Chapters | 1990
    Dimitrov R, 1990, 'Pluralism: Approaches', in Dimitrov R; Minkov JA; Vakarelova VL (ed.), Pluralism, edn. Original, Sciences and Arts Publishing, Sofia, pp. 5 - 39
  • Journal articles | 2022
    Dimitrov R; Jelen A; L’Etang J, 2022, 'Taboos in health communication: Stigma, silence and voice', Public Relations Inquiry, 11, pp. 3 - 35, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147X211067002
    Journal articles | 2022
    Dimitrov R, 2022, 'Silencing the virus? Government communication and MMR vaccination campaigns – the Australian case', Public Relations Inquiry, 11, pp. 121 - 155, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147X211014078
    Journal articles | 2022
    Geshev N; Dimitrov R; Kirkov V; Vodenicharova A; Yanakieva A; Slavov S, 2022, 'Preoperative ultrasound assessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer and prediction of surgical stage', Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 36, pp. 753 - 758, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2022.2108340
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dimitrov R, 2020, 'Communicating off the record', Public Relations Inquiry, 9, pp. 81 - 102, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147X19841565
    Journal articles | 2020
    Dimitrov R, 2020, 'Successful silences: A practitioner's toolkit', Tripodos, pp. 115 - 229, http://dx.doi.org/10.51698/tripodos.2020.48p117-131
    Journal articles | 2019
    Dimitrov R, 2019, 'Explicit and implicit strategies of silence', Journal of Advertising and Public Relations, 2, pp. 19 - 31, https://www.sryahwapublications.com/journal-of-advertising-and-public-relations/volume-2-issue-1/3.php
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dimitrov RG, 2017, 'Silence as negation. The strategy and beyond', Southern Semiotic Review, 8, pp. 21 - 32, http://www.southernsemioticreview.net/silence-negation-strategy-beyond-roumen-dimitrov/
    Journal articles | 2015
    Dimitrov R, 2015, 'Silence and invisibility in public relations', Public Relations Review, 41, pp. 636 - 651, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2014.02.019
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dimitrov R, 2014, ''Does this guy ever shut up?' The discourse of the 2013 Australian election', Global Media Journal: Australian Edition, 8, pp. 1 - 24, http://www.hca.uws.edu.au/gmjau/?p=1214
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dimitrov R, 2014, 'Bringing communication up to agency: UNESCO reforms its visibility', Public Relations Inquiry, 3, pp. 293 - 318, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147X14544396
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dimitrov R, 2014, 'Do social media spell the end of journalism as a profession?', Global Media Journal Australian Edition, 8, pp. 1 - 16, http://www.hca.uws.edu.au/gmjau/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/GMJAU-Do-social-media-spell-the-end-of-journalism.pdf
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dimitrov RG, 2014, 'Bringing communication up to agency: UNESCO reforms its visibility', Public Relations Inquiry, 3, pp. 293 - 318, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2046147XI14544396
    Journal articles | 2014
    Georgieva D; Dimitrov R; Kitanova M; Genova G, 2014, 'New X-chromosomal interactors of dFMRP regulate axonal and synaptic morphology of brain neurons in Drosophila melanogaster.', Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip, 28, pp. 697 - 709, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2014.937897
    Journal articles | 2012
    Oreshkova T; Dimitrov R; Mourdjeva M, 2012, 'A cross-talk of decidual stromal cells, trophoblast, and immune cells: a prerequisite for the success of pregnancy.', Am J Reprod Immunol, 68, pp. 366 - 373, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01165.x
    Journal articles | 2010
    Konstantinova D; Kaneva R; Dimitrov R; Savov A; Ivanov S; Dyankova T; Kremensky I; Mitev V, 2010, 'Rare mutations in the PIK3CA gene contribute to aggressive endometrial cancer.', DNA Cell Biol, 29, pp. 65 - 70, http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/dna.2009.0939
    Journal articles | 2010
    Slavov C; Popov E; Slavov S; Dimitrov R; Doganov N; Chernev T, 2010, '[Solifenacin in treatment of the overactive bladder syndrome--diagnosis, clinical management and results].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 49, pp. 16 - 21, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20734651
    Journal articles | 2009
    Dimitrov R, 2009, 'Public Relations: Critical Debates and Contemporary Practice', Canadian Journal of Communication, 34, pp. 315 - 317, http://dx.doi.org/10.22230/cjc.2009v34n2a2228
    Journal articles | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'Acting Strategically: Skilled communication by Australian refugee advocacy groups', Global Media Journal: Australian Edition, 2, http://stc.uws.edu.au/gmjau/iss2_2008/Roumen_Dimitrov%20v2_2%202008.html
    Journal articles | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'Gender violence, fan activism and public relations in sport: The case of “Footy Fans against Sexual Assault”', Public Relations Review, 34, pp. 90 - 98, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2008.03.002
    Journal articles | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'Promoting eco manufacturing: An Australian case', Journal of Public Affairs, 8, pp. 233 - 247, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pa.298
    Journal articles | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'The strategic response: An introduction to non-profit communication', Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Limited, 14, pp. 9 - 50
    Journal articles | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'Who cares about non-profit communication? A critical comparison of four Australian and New Zealand academic journals', Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Limited, 14, pp. 127 - 157
    Journal articles | 2008
    Konstantinova D; Kadiyska T; Kaneva R; Guseva V; Tosheva E; Dimitrov B; Dimitrov R; Doganov N; Kremensky I; Mitev V, 2008, 'CHEK2 I157T is not associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer in Bulgarian patients', European Journal of Cancer Supplements, 6, pp. 102 - 102, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1359-6349(08)71565-9
    Journal articles | 2007
    Dimitrov R, 2007, 'ChilOut: Strategic communication by small advocacy groups', Australian Journal of Communication, 34, pp. 129 - 143
    Journal articles | 2000
    Doganov N; Dimitrov R; Nachev A; Bozhilov D; Shtereva K; Veltova L; Dzherov L, 2000, '[Laparoscopic hysterectomy--the initial experience in Bulgaria].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 39, pp. 29 - 33, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10826334
    Journal articles | 2000
    Marinov B; Dzherov L; Doganov N; Dimitrov R; Nachev A; Veltova L, 2000, '[Our experience with the use of Hyaluricht in gynecological practice (preliminary report)].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 39 Suppl 1, pp. 8 - 9, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10948633
    Journal articles | 1999
    Dimitrov R, 1999, 'How to restore the motivation-chain? Pubic opinion in Europe about Europe', Democratic Review, 39/40 Spring-Summer 1999, pp. 66 - 82
    Journal articles | 1998
    Doganov N; Shtereva K; Dimitrov R, 1998, '[A comparative study of the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis with cephalosporins in operative gynecology].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 37, pp. 29 - 33, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9859533
    Journal articles | 1998
    Marinov B; Tsachev K; Doganov N; Dzherov L; Markova M; Atanasova B; Shtereva K; Dimitrov R, 1998, '[The zinc concentration of the blood serum in women with ovarian tumors (preliminary report)].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 37, pp. 16 - 18, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10360044
    Journal articles | 1997
    Doganov N; Dimitrov R; Marinov B; Shtereva K; Nachev A; Bozhilov D; Blagoeva V, 1997, '[The use of cefotetan for the prevention of infectious postoperative complications in gynecology].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 36, pp. 11 - 13, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9289950
    Journal articles | 1996
    Nachev A; Doganov N; Shtereva B; Marinov B; Dimitrov R; Ivanov S, 1996, '[The prevention of postoperative infectious complications in gynecological practice with mefoxin].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 35, pp. 68 - 70, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8967552
    Journal articles | 1994
    Dimitrov R, 1994, 'Bulgaria 1993/94: What changes when nothing happens? The Phenomenon of Ljuben Berov’s Government', Südosteuropa: Zeitschrift für Gegenwartsforschung, 43, pp. 315 - 335
    Journal articles | 1994
    Dimitrov R, 1994, 'Changing the democratic public sphere in Eastern Europe: A problem sketch', Berliner Journal für Soziologie, 4, pp. 543 - 555
    Journal articles | 1994
    Doganov N; Borisov I; Iarŭkov A; Vasilev N; Veltova L; Raĭcheva I; Dimitrov R, 1994, '[The treatment of vulvovaginal candidomycosis with itraconazole (Sporanox)].', Akush Ginekol (Sofiia), 33, pp. 49 - 50, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7485785
    Journal articles | 1993
    Dimitrov R, 1993, 'Movement ends when democracy begins?', Forschungsjournal Neue Soziale Bewegungen, 2, pp. 41 - 50
    Journal articles | 1991
    Dimitrov R, 1991, 'March across the institutions (I): The formation of the Bulgarian opposition 1989–1991', Bulgarian Quarterly, 1, pp. 53 - 65
    Journal articles | 1991
    Dimitrov R, 1991, 'March across the institutions (II): The formation of the Bulgarian opposition 1989–1991', Bulgarian Quarterly, 1, pp. 43 - 52
    Journal articles | 1991
    Dimitrov R, 1991, 'Pluralism vs. Paternalism: The change in Eastern Europe as an intercultural conflict', Politics, Art, Culture (PAC), 34, pp. 15 - 21
    Journal articles | 1989
    Dimitrov R, 1989, 'Civilisation as a process of change: On the topicality of Norbert Elias’ sociology of culture', Sociological Problems, 1989, pp. 121 - 133
    Journal articles | 1989
    Dimitrov R, 1989, 'New generations – old institutions', Philosophical Thought, 1989, pp. 3 - 14
    Journal articles | 1988
    Dimitrov R, 1988, 'Everyday culture: compromise or mediator?', Sociological Problems, 1988, pp. 68 - 74
    Journal articles | 1988
    Dimitrov R, 1988, 'Generational change and cultural change', Youth Problems, 1988, pp. 3 - 13
    Journal articles | 1987
    Dimitrov R, 1987, 'Social time and social change', Scientific Revolution and Social Change: Special Issue of of Sociological Review, 1987, pp. 50 - 63
    Journal articles | 1986
    Dimitrov R, 1986, 'Max Scheler and the sociology of knowledge', Sociological Problems, 1986, pp. 38 - 57
    Journal articles | 1986
    Dimitrov R, 1986, 'On the problem-historic development of the category „social change“', Sociological Review, 1986, pp. 5 - 67
    Journal articles | 1986
    Dimitrov R, 1986, 'Social change and sociological theory', Sociological Review, 1986, pp. 50 - 63
    Journal articles | 1986
    Dimitrov R, 1986, 'Social problem and social problematising', Sociological Problems, 1986, pp. 23 - 33
    Journal articles | 1985
    Dimitrov R, 1985, 'Interpretative understanding in sociology: Symbolic interactionism, phenomenological sociology and ethnomethodology', Sociological Problems, 1985, pp. 23 - 33
    Journal articles | 1984
    Dimitrov R, 1984, 'Marx' category of experience', Sociological Review, 1984, pp. 8 - 21
  • Conference Papers | 2012
    Mantareva V; Kril A; Angelov I; Dimitrov R; Borisova E; Avramov L, 2012, 'Effects of the position of galactose units to Zn(II) phthalocyanine on the uptake and photodynamic activity towards breast cancer cells', in Popp J; Drexler W; Tuchin VV; Matthews DL (eds.), SPIE Proceedings, SPIE, presented at SPIE Photonics Europe, http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.923794
    Conference Papers | 2010
    Mantareva V; Angelov I; Wöhrle D; Dogandjiska V; Dimitrov R; Kussovski V, 2010, 'Water-soluble phthalocyanine complexes of Ga(III) and In(III) in the photodynamic inactivation of pathogenic fungus', in SPIE Proceedings, SPIE, presented at XVI International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications, http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.882065
    Conference Papers | 2009
    Dimitrov R, 2009, 'New communication strategies? Lessons from the Refugee Rights Movement in Australia', in Second Annual Conference of the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy research (ANSER), Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 27 – 29 May 2009, ANSER, presented at Second Annual Conference of the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy research (ANSER), http://unsw.academia.edu/RoumenDimitrov/Papers/128477/New_Communication_Strategies_Lessons_from_the_Refugee_Rights_Movement_in_Australia
    Conference Papers | 2008
    Dimitrov R, 2008, 'Eco-manufacturing: Pioneering as legitimacy ground for advocacy', in Proceedings Demonstrate! Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Research Ninth Biennial Conference, 24 - 26 November, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, ANZTSR, Auckland, http://unsw.academia.edu/RoumenDimitrov/Papers/128478/Eco_Manufacturing_Pioneering_as_Legitimacy_Ground_for_Advocacy
    Conference Papers | 2006
    Dimitrov R, 2006, 'Poor resources, rich communication: Public relations by four refugee advocacy groups', in Proceedings Navigating New Waters? Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Research Eight Biennial Conference, Adelaide, 26-28 November, 2006, ANZTSR, Adelaide, Australia, http://unsw.academia.edu/RoumenDimitrov/Papers/128479/Poor_Resources_Rich_Communication_Public_Relations_by_Four_Refugee_Advocacy_Groups

UNSW Academic Board & Committee on Education (CoE)

I review for a number of refereed journals including PRism and GLobal Media Journal (Australia)

My Teaching

Undergraduate Major in Public Relations & Advertising

- MDIA3000 Public Relations Discourse & Change
- MDIA3005 Social Innovation and Engagement