Call for Submissions

Why Submit to the Annual Convention?

Submitting a proposal to the National Communication Association annual convention can be beneficial for several reasons.

Presenting at the convention allows you to share your research, ideas, and expertise with a wide audience of communication scholars and professionals.
It provides an opportunity to receive valuable feedback, engage in scholarly discussions, and network with others in the field.
Presenting at such a prestigious event can enhance your professional reputation and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within the field of communication.

Learn More Frequently Asked Questions

Important Dates

Access Your Unit’s Call for Submissions

Convention Theme: Communicate To Elevate

Click on the accordion below to access your unit’s Call for Submissions. For additional information regarding the call or programmatic information, contact the program planner.

Divisions and Sections

Activism and Social Justice Division

The Activism and Social Justice Division (ASJD) of the National Communication Association promotes scholarship (research and teaching) that explores relationships among communication, activism, and social justice.

The ASJD seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the 2024 convention theme of Communication for Greater Regard. As NCA First Vice President Jeanetta D. Sims emphasizes, “Communication is both the conduit and manifestation for greater regard. For our 110th Annual Convention, we invite thought-provoking papers, panels, pre-conferences, posters, and programming that engage the three-fold nature of our collective, magnificent stewardship of communication for greater regard: (1) greater regard for what has been before us, (2) greater regard for what is presently around us, and (3) greater regard for what will be beyond us…An extension of “Communication for Greater Regard” is examining when and how communication functions with disregard. Thus, this Call also invites conversations about what has been ignored, dismissed, or devalued in our discipline alongside investigating what should be given more consideration. The convention theme is inclusive of submissions designed to foster a steady, significant look at what has been/is being disregarded.”

The ASJD invites anyone interested in activism and social justice to submit conceptual, theoretical, methodological, empirical, pedagogical, and exploratory/experimental work to the Division that explores freedom and how our communication scholarship can be broadened beyond current norms and practices to be more inclusive and welcoming of perspectives that have been historically marginalized, ignored, and/or belittled.

Submitters are asked to consider the following questions posed by Jeanetta D. Sims, NCA First VP and Primary Planner, among others related to the theme:
What does it seem the discipline has regarded for 100+ years?
How does communication function in today’s climate to enrich greater regard, how has this shifted over the years, or does it need to shift in the future?
How is greater regard currently exhibited in communication research, teaching, service, and practice?
How are priorities and power structures shaped in the discipline and/or in human communication endeavors through greater regard or to create greater regard?
What intentional contributions should we be actively undertaking to foster greater regard?

Papers that include data from participants must include concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak in theoretically rich ways about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitations section in the discussion.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The ASJD will accept the following submission types: (1) individual paper; (2) paper session; (3) panel discussion; (4) individual film; (5) individual performance; (6) performance session; and (7) film session. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central; emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Paper

Submissions must include a max 25 pages, double-spaced (excluding abstract, references, tables, figures, and appendices) uploaded copy of the paper. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. ASJD will recognize both the Top Paper and Top Student Paper in the division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If all authors of a paper are students, select student in the electronic form. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar-to-Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Session

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must include the title, description (abstract) and author(s) of each paper. Panelists should represent multiple institutions. A session chair is required; respondent is optional. No person should fulfill more than one role (i.e., panelist, chair, respondent). Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussion

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. Panelists should represent multiple institutions. A session chair is required. No person should fulfill more than one role (i.e., panelist, chair). Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Individual Film

Submissions must include a film title, description, keywords, and film maker information. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, upload a copy of the script (no more than 100 pages) or a word document that contains a link to the film or film trailer. Do not upload a video file to NCA Convention Central. In the uploaded supporting file indicate the length of the film. Individual films should be no more than 20 minutes in length. If the film is longer than 20 minutes, consider developing a Film Session submission (see requirements in this call).

Individual Performance

Submissions must include a title, description, keywords and performers information. Performances must be no longer that 20 minutes in length. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, include a script, link to a video of the performance, or an outline of the performance.

Performance Session

Submissions must include a session title and description. Submissions must include individual performance titles, description, and performers. Panelists should represent multiple institutions. A chair is required. No person should fulfill more than one role (i.e., panelist, chair). Please provide a session rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. In the supporting file please indicate the length of the performance(s) within this submission.

Film Session

Submissions must include a session title and description, titles of each film, descriptions of each film and film maker(s) information. Panelists should represent multiple institutions. A session chair is required. No person should fulfill more than one role (i.e., panelist, chair). AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Do not upload film(s) to Convention Central. Rather, upload a word document that contains a link to the film(s), film trailer(s), or script(s). In the supporting file please indicate the length of the film(s) within this submission.

Papers and panels/sessions can be submitted only to one unit (i.e., division, section, caucus, or affiliate organization), and they should not have been presented previously at another conference or already accepted for publication.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Activism and Social Justice Division programming, please contact:

Leandra Hernandez
University of Utah
leandrahernandez11@gmail.com

Division

Submit

African American Communication and Culture Division

The African American Communication and Culture Division (AACCD) invites your individual papers, films, performances, panel discussions, paper sessions, and performance sessions for the NCA 111th Annual Convention. The convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” is intended to facilitate our understanding and appreciation of how communication incorporates the depth of cultures, languages, histories, politics, struggles, and triumphs behind us, around us, and around the possibilities before us. As scholars, teachers, students, leaders, and community members, we encourage you to think critically about how “Communicate to Elevate” can be communicated in our scholarship, activism, politics, and beyond to uplift and highlight the voices of the marginalized.

Consequently, in reflection of the stated convention theme “Communicate to Elevate,” the following topics are suitable: language, culture, and place; Black Lives Matter; HBCUs and other historically Black institutions; historical Black worship places/spaces/Black/Diasporic religion, religiosity, faith, and spirituality; “What happened to the neighborhood?”: urban development, improvement, and the effects of modern gentrification; voting rights and politics; economic crisis in the village; riots, revolutions, renegades, rallies, and revolts; the challenge of democracy and home-grown terror; health care reform; and/or utilitarian and pragmatic approaches to communication. Of course, ideas are not limited to the aforementioned list and may include intellectual conversations that push against the cannon of white heteropatriarchal discourse to expand Black theories and philosophies of communication. Finally, consider the ways in which the theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” summons us to reflect upon the practice of venerating our past, celebrating our present, and reimagining ways to push toward a better and more holistic future.

The AACCD encourages submissions that significantly contribute to the convention theme while promoting communication scholarship involving and/or affecting descendants of the African Diaspora. We are especially interested in intersectional scholarship, thus, are working to partner with other divisions to co-sponsor sessions. Please indicate in your submission if your proposal aligns with one or more of the following divisions or caucuses:

African Communication Division
Caribbean Communication Caucus
Feminist and Gender Studies Division
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Studies Division
American Studies Division
Disabilities Issues Caucus
Critical and Cultural Studies Division
Performance Studies Division
Activism and Social Justice Division
Black Caucus
Women’s Caucus
International and Intercultural Communication Division
Asian Pacific American Communication Studies Division & Caucus

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please find a description of each submission type and its requirements below. For more information on submission types and best practices, please visit the Convention Resource Library www.natcom.org/conventionresources.

**NOTE: Audio/Visual requests must be made at the time of submission. No A/V equipment will be provided unless the request is included with the program submission. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Requests should be kept to a minimum. Submitters should screen requests carefully and submit only those essential to the program. NCA will normally approve requests for the following equipment: LCD projector with screen, laptop speakers, and wired Internet connection. NCA will NOT normally approve requests for equipment such as laptops, overhead transparency projectors, CD players, VCR or DVD players, camcorders, satellite links, or teleconference/webinar equipment.

INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS

Individual Paper

A paper submitted directly by an author as a stand-alone paper and not part of a preconceived session. Individual papers are reviewed individually and then grouped into paper sessions by the unit planner for presentation. The AACCD will recognize the Top Paper and Top Student Paper. **NOTE: The AACCD will only consider fully completed papers.

Individual Paper Requirements:

A title and abstract
Entry of all author(s)
An uploaded copy of the paper: The maximum length of an uploaded paper is 30 pages double-spaced, excluding references, tables, charts, and appendices. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the body of your abstract or your paper upload. Instructions on how to prepare a blind copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library.

Individual Performance

A performance submitted directly by the performer for consideration as an individual performance and not part of a pre-conceived performance session. Performances must be no longer than 20 minutes in length. Performances are reviewed individually, and unit planners then group performances into performance sessions.

Individual Performance Requirements:

A title and description
Entry of all performer(s)
An uploaded copy of the script or link to the performance should be included.

Individual Film

A film submitted directly by the filmmaker for consideration as an individual film and not part of a pre-conceived film session. Films are reviewed individually. Unit planners then group films into film sessions. As a supporting file, upload a copy of the script (no more than 100 pages) or a word document that contains a link to the film or film trailer. In the uploaded supporting file indicate the length of the film. Individual films should be no more than 20 minutes in length. If the film is longer than 20 minutes, consider developing a Film Session submission (see requirements in this call).

Individual Film Requirements:

A title and description
Entry of all creators(s)
A link to the full film. Please do not attach your film, as the servers cannot handle high volume. Instead, submit your URL address so we can access the film online.

Paper Session

A preconceived and complete session of papers surrounding a particular topic in which each author(s) presents their paper. Paper sessions are submitted and reviewed for consideration as a whole. Paper Sessions representing diverse institutional affiliations and interdisciplinary perspectives are strongly encouraged.

Paper Session Requirements:

A title and description
Rationale
A Chair and Respondent
Author, Title, and Abstract for each paper

Panel Session

A panel discussion is submitted as a preconceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic or issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. Panels representing diverse institutional affiliations and interdisciplinary perspectives are strongly encouraged.

Panel Session Requirements:

Title & Description
Rationale
Chair
Respondent (optional)
An uploaded copy of the proposal with a title and abstract for each presenter

Performance Session

A performance session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session with a performer(s), chair(s), and respondent (optional). The performance session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Panels representing diverse affiliations are strongly encouraged.

Performance Session Requirements:

Session Title & Description
Rationale
Chair
Respondent (optional)
A Performance Title and Description for each performer

Film Session

A film session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session with the film(s), chair(s), and respondent (optional). The film session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Film sessions representing diverse affiliations are strongly encouraged.

Film Session Requirements:

Session Title & Description
Rationale
Chair
Respondent (Optional)
A Film Title, description and link to the film for each filmmaker

HOW TO SUBMIT

All submissions must be submitted electronically via NCA Convention Central, linked at https://www.xcdsystem.com/nca/member/index.cfm

Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. Submitters are also encouraged to view the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants located in the Convention Resource Library.

Thank you for considering a submission to the African American Communication and Culture Division for the 2025 National Communications Association Annual Convention themed “Communicate to Elevate.” We look forward to reviewing your submissions and meeting you in Denver, Colorado.

Questions?

For questions or concerns about your submission specific to the AACCD call, please get in touch with the 2025 Program Planner:

Dr. Katrina M. Overby

Vice Chair, African American Communication and Culture Division

National Communication Association

Email: kmogpt@rit.edu

Division

Submit

Applied Communication Division

The Applied Communication Division explores how communication theory, research, and/or best practices help inform knowledge and theory about communication for practical issues. Applied communication research builds and tests communication theories, often in naturalistic settings, to better examine a wide range of diverse issues, including the communication needs of organizations, effective social interaction, improvement of health care understandings or delivery, implementation of behavioral interventions, training to improve communication, and activist efforts to achieve social change. Applied communication scholars use a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches to address applied communication issues.

Our challenge under the theme “Communicate to Elevate” is to identify how our research and practice in applied communication can elevate others as we move forward on our scholarly journey. Submissions are invited that illustrate how communication empowers people, organizations, and communities to transform. We seek scholarship that reveals how applied communication can build environments where others can thrive, reflecting the idea of ‘lifting as we climb.’ We invite work that either advances theory, develops new methods, or applies communication to solve problems that amplify the fundamental role of communication in creating an elevated future. However, a connection to the theme is not a condition of acceptance. If your paper or panel has a strong connection to the theme, you may also consider submitting to the special convention theme via NCA Convention Central.

The Applied Communication Division accepts the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) interactive poster sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made through NCA Convention Central; emailed submissions will not be accepted.

The division also strongly encourages participation in Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) interactive poster sessions. These S2S spotlight sessions bring together presenters into high-density interactive programs, providing sites for free-flowing dialogue, sharing ideas, and building community. In the S2S sessions, top scholars, journal editors, and leaders in the discipline congregate in one place to personally interact with presenters. To have your work considered for S2S check the appropriate agreement box on the electronic submission form. Only individual paper submissions are appropriate for this format.

Individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions may be theoretical, methodological, or empirical in nature. Papers should be written to conceal authorship. Only one paper may be submitted to the Applied Communication Division from any person submitting as first author. Individuals may serve as chairs, respondents, and/or panel members in addition to presenting a single paper. Paper sessions and panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, or presenter) in a single submission.

Top papers and top student papers are formally recognized at the Applied Communication Division Business Meeting. Top student papers will also receive a monetary award.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

To avoid unnecessary problems with submission and review, please read the following guidelines:

All submissions must be submitted electronically to the NCA Convention Central.
Each submission should be made to one unit only.
All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants in the Convention Resource Library (www.natcom.org/conventionresources) prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit are available in the Convention Resource Library on the NCA Convention website (www.natcom.org/convention).

Submitting An Individual Competitive Paper

Submitted papers should include:

A title
A 250-500-word description of the paper
Maximum length for uploaded papers: 25 pages, double-spaced (excluding abstract, references, tables, charts, and appendices)
Follow APA style (1-inch margins on all sides, Times New Roman 12 pt. font)
No information identifying the author may appear in the body of your description or your uploaded paper file. Instructions on how to prepare a blind copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library on the NCA Convention website (www.natcom.org/conventionresources).
Identify student submissions on the title page and on the electronic submission form. Indicate if the student is a graduate or undergraduate student on the title page.

Submitting A Paper Session**

Submitted paper sessions should include:

A title for the paper session
A description of the session as a whole (no more than 75 words)
A chair is required, and respondent is optional
Titles, descriptions, and author(s) information for each paper to be presented on the session. Descriptions should be no more than 350 words.
A rationale for the paper session justifying the significance and theme of the paper session as a whole.

Submitting A Panel Discussion**

Submitted panel discussions should include the following:

A title for the panel
A description of the panel as a whole
A chair and all presenters participating on the panel
A rationale for the panel justifying the significance and theme of the session/panel as a whole. Panel discussion submissions should provide enough information to judge their relevance and quality.

** Paper sessions and panel discussion reviews are not blind. All participants should be identified.

AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT: Participants are encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Requests must be submitted online at the same time as papers, paper sessions, and panel discussion submissions.

NOTE: The NCA Convention Library (www.natcom.org/conventionresources) has a wealth of additional information about the convention, including a guide for how to submit using NCA Convention Central.

Questions?

Dr. Robin Haislett, Vice-Chair, Applied Communication Division

Assistant Professor
Department of Communication
Weber State University
1395 Edvalson Blvd. Unit 1407
Ogden, UT 84408
robinhaislett@weber.edu

Division

Submit

Argumentation and Forensics Division

The Argumentation and Forensics Division promotes the work of scholars engaged in research, inquiry, activity, and teaching that enhances understanding of argumentation theory, argumentation criticism, and forensic pedagogy. The Argumentation and Forensics division encourages scholarly work that addresses topics in argumentation and forensics in a broad range of contexts and a variety of methodologies.

The Argumentation and Forensics Division seeks submissions from a range of theoretical and methodological approaches. In addition to this year’s convention theme – Communicate to Elevate – our division explores argumentation theory, historical trajectories of argumentation, the role of speech and debate activities in the pursuit of public dialogue, argumentation pedagogy, and more.

The Argumentation and Forensics Division also encourages members to consider submitting to Short Courses, Pre-conferences, Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S). and Research in Progress Roundtables.

Individuals may present only one paper in the Argumentation and Forensics Division, whether submitted as a paper or as a part of a paper session. Individuals may serve within the division as chairs, respondents, and/or participants on non-traditional panels in addition to presenting a single paper. With the exception of chair, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., respondent, author, or presenter) in the same submission. In addition, paper sessions and panel discussion sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Institutional diversity among participants is a priority for acceptance.

The Argumentation and Forensics Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Panel Discussions. Panel discussions that emphasize interaction among participants and audience members are especially encouraged as they relate to debate coaching, debate formats, and argumentation and forensics pedagogy. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 25-page, 12-point type, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper, with the page total excluding pages and references. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper and a Top Student Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission, select “student” in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must include the title, description (abstract) and author(s) of each paper. A session chair is required, respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. A top panel will be recognized. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Argumentation and Forensics Division programming, please contact:

Kevin Minch

Argumentation and Forensics Division Planner

kminch@truman.edu

Division

Submit

Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division

The Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division (APACSD) of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025.

The purpose of the Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division (APACSD) is to advance scholarship on various cultural issues, political dynamics, and engagement strategies within Asian/Pacific American (A/PA) culture, while examining power relationships among cultural communities. It promotes research that fosters dialogue on diasporic and transnational challenges, and explores the intersection of diverse cultural identities within the inter-Asia/Americas context. It further supports transnational connections between communities in the Americas and globally, including the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and indigenous communities across these regions. Our work addresses the complexities of culture, globalization, identity, and politics both within and beyond the United States.

In light of the 2025 convention theme, the Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division encourages submissions that interrogate and connect to this year’s theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” introduced by NCA’s First Vice President, Dr. Tina Harris. The convention theme invites us to engage in the nature of communication to elevate, emerging from the A/PA communities’ particular historical and contemporary conditions.

Submitters may consider the following guiding questions, among others: How does our scholarship strive to realize potential within A/PA communities? How do we create opportunities to “lift as we climb”? How can we collectively elevate our scholarship as APACSD members? How can we amplify the myriad voices, realities, and experiences that shape our work and identity? How does communication research, teaching, service, and practice from the APACSD communities foster communication to elevate? What intentional contributions should APACSD communities be actively undertaking to promote communication to elevate?

An extension of “Communicate to Elevate” is also examining when and how communication functions to dis-elevate. Thus, this call also invites conversations about what has been ignored, dismissed, or devalued in A/PA communities within the discipline, alongside investigating what should be given more consideration.

The Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Panel Discussions, and Performance Sessions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted.

Competitive Individual Papers (reviewed anonymously)

A full original paper is submitted, which will be reviewed anonymously. If accepted, it will be paneled by the program planner alongside other competitively selected papers. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

Manuscripts must be original material, not presented at any other scholarly conference, and not published or accepted for publication at the time of submission.
Submissions must include a maximum 25-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper, with 1-inch margins and 12-point font (excluding references, tables, figures, cover page, and footnotes).
Each paper must contain an abstract of up to 150 words.
Submissions should include a title, paper description (abstract), and keywords in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form.
To ensure anonymous review, the uploaded paper file must not contain any information identifying the author. Submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper, including the title page and headers, and clear the document’s embedded properties before uploading. Author information will be collected separately in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.
For student paper submissions, please select “student” in the electronic form. All authors must be students in this case.

Top Paper Recognition

APACSD awards the top papers and top student papers competitively. To be eligible for the top student paper award, all authors listed on the submission must be enrolled students at the time of submission. The submitter must identify themselves as “students” by clicking the appropriate box on the electronic submission form.

Scholar-to-Scholar Consideration

For authors who wish to be considered for a “Scholar-to-Scholar” interactive presentation format, which utilizes posters and emphasizes interactive discussion, please check the agreement box at the time of submission.

Paper Sessions (not anonymous)

A paper session is submitted with around four papers together as a single session. If accepted, each author will present their individual paper. These papers should focus on a common theme. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

Submissions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum), a rationale for the session (500 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair (and respondent, if applicable). A session chair is required, while a respondent is optional.
Submissions must include titles, descriptions (500 words maximum) and author(s) information for each paper.
Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions (not anonymous)

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-arranged and complete session where panelists discuss a specific topic or issue. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

Submissions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum), a rationale for the session (500 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair. A session chair is required.
Submissions should include the names and affiliations of each presenter involved.
Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions. A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Performance Sessions (not anonymous)

A performance session is submitted as a panel of performances featuring this year’s convention theme and specific topic of interest to APAC/SD. Performance can be understood broadly that includes (but not limited to) poetry/spoken word, (auto)ethnographic embodiment, or any other creative activity. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

Submitted performance sessions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum) for the online convention program, a rationale for the session (250 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair (and respondent, if applicable). A session chair is required, while a respondent is optional.

Submissions should include separate performance titles, performance descriptions (250 words maximum), and performer’s information for each performance included in the session.
Performance sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, performer, etc.) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

As a side note, while the Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division (APACSD) and the Asian/Pacific American Caucus (APAC) frequently collaborate as APAC/SD, their focuses differ. APACSD is dedicated to advancing scholarship, whereas APAC aims to cultivate connections among scholars and empower historically marginalized voices within the caucus. Therefore, submitters for Competitive Individual Papers and Paper Sessions are encouraged to consider APACSD, while those for Panel Discussions and Performance sessions are encouraged to consider APAC. Nevertheless, submitters are welcome to submit any type of submission listed above.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division programming, please contact:

Emi Kanemoto

APAC/SD Vice Chair & Program Planner

ekanemoto@bryant.edu

Division

Submit

Basic Course Division

The purpose of the Basic Course Division is to promote the teaching, assessment, administration, and scholarship of the basic course. Broadly, basic courses focus on teaching fundamental communication skills and theory to undergraduate students, often meeting a General Education requirement, and are taught to both non-major and major students. The Basic Course Division is concerned with a broad spectrum of issues relevant to the maintenance and development of quality basic courses to benefit students, instructors, researchers, and the discipline.

The Basic Course Division seeks submissions that address is mission and encourage authors to consider the ways in which their submission aligns with this year’s convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.”

The Basic Course Division will accept the following submission types: Research Proposals, Individual Papers, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Research Proposals

Extended abstracts that present a research idea or a work in progress (not a completed study). Submissions should be no longer than 8 pages (typed and double-spaced) and include the following components: (1) introduction/rationale, (2) objectives of the proposed study, (3) review of literature overviewing the proposed study’s variables and/or theoretical framework, (4) potential hypotheses/research questions, (5) proposed research method/study design, (6) expected results/implications, and (7) references. When uploading your submission to NCA Convention Central, you will be asked to provide a title and description to be used for the program. Your submission must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties

Individual Papers

Completed research study, critical essay, or other full-length academic paper. Submissions should be no longer than 30-pages (typed and double-spaced) including references, tables, figures, footnotes, and endnotes. Title pages and abstracts do not count toward the page limit. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form. The highest rated individual paper will receive the “Top Paper Award.” The highest rated student authored individual paper will receive the “Dr. Lawrence W. Hugenberg Top Student Paper Award” and will be forwarded for consideration for the “Donald P. Cushman Memorial Award.”

Panel Discussions

A group of panelists discussing a topic (no papers are presented). Submissions should include a title and session description. Submissions must include a list of each presenter involved including their affiliation along with a brief description of the unique contribution or perspective each person plans to share. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion. The highest rated panel discussion submission will receive the “Top Panel Award.”

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Basic Course Division programming, please contact:

Drew T. Ashby-King, Ph.D.

Basic Course Division Vice Chair and Program Planner

Assistant Professor

School of Communication

East Carolina University

ashbykingd23@ecu.edu

Division

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Communication and Aging Division

The Communication and Aging Division (CAD) invites submissions for the 111th NCA Annual Convention.

CAD is interested in scholarship that examines issues related to healthy and successful aging. Topics may include communication issues throughout the lifespan and contexts such as adolescents, young adults, adult children, retirement, later life transitions, end of life discussions, and intergenerational communication. We are also interested in the influence of media on aging, public policy, agism in the workplace, cultural influences on aging and identity.

The Communication and Aging Division seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” Submissions directly related to the convention theme are strongly encouraged, and full details of the theme can be found in the official NCA Convention Call.

Please keep in mind two considerations regarding the personnel identified as participants in panel and paper sessions. First, participants should not serve in more than one capacity for any given session (e.g., a paper author should not also be chairing a session). Second, session coordinators/submitters should strive to include participants who are at different career stages and who represent different universities. NCA discourages the submission of session proposals that largely comprise colleagues from the same institution.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. No matter which type of submission you create, please include any AV requests at the time of submission. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How-to-Submit” instructions provided in the convention resource library. Please also familiarize yourself with NCA’s expectations for conference participants. In particular, keep in mind there is an expectation that if you submit your work you will register for and attend the conference, and that you are submitting original work that has not already been published, accepted for publication, presented at another conference, or submitted to another division.

The Communication and Aging Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

To ensure your paper receives proper consideration, please:

Enter title, paper description and author(s) information in the electronic form.
Specify whether you are a student author.
Limit your paper to a maximum of 25 pages of text (12 point font). The page limit does not include references and tables.
Remove all identifying author information from uploaded documents to ensure blind review.
Conform to APA guidelines and include an abstract and title in the uploaded document.
Indicate whether you are willing (or would prefer) to present your work in the Scholar-to-Scholar sessions.

Top papers from submissions will be selected to present on the Top Paper Panel, one of which will be a student-led paper (the first author must be a student while additional authors may or may not be students).

Please note that instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.

Paper Sessions

To ensure your paper session proposal proper consideration, please:

Include a title, brief description, chair (required)/respondent (optional), and rationale for the session.
Include a title, description, and author information for each paper presentation.

Panel Discussions

To ensure your panel discussion proposal receives proper consideration, please:

Include a title for the panel, brief description, extended rationale for panel discussion, list of panel presenters, and a chair for the panel. Panel proposals should be 500 words or less.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Communication and Aging Division programming, please contact:

Jessica D. Freeman, Ph.D.

2025 Communication and Aging Division Program Planner

jesfreeman@augusta.edu

Assistant Professor, Department of Communication

Augusta University

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Communication Anxiety and Apprehension Division

The new Communication Anxiety & Apprehension (CAA) division of NCA promotes and furthers awareness, teaching, research, and scholarship of Communication Anxiety and Apprehension throughout the human experience across communication situations to promote understanding, empowerment, and advocacy. We are committed to exploring communication anxiety and apprehension across a variety of situations, through an array of approaches and methodologies, and with an intentional focus on learning more about these experiences to empower and support one another.

The CAA welcomes submissions for papers and interactive discussion panels for the 2025 annual convention in Denver, Colorado. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Submission Types

The CAA invites submissions that address its mission and encourages authors to consider the ways in which their work aligns with this year’s convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate.” We invite the following submission types:

Individual Papers

Completed research study, critical essay, or other full-length academic paper. Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. The highest rated individual paper will receive the “Top Paper Award.” The highest rated student authored individual paper will receive the “Top Student Paper Award.” Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Panel Discussions

A group of panelists discussing a topic. Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. The highest rated panel discussion submission will receive the CAA “Top Panel Award.” AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For questions or concerns about your submission specific to this section, please contact the 2025 Program Planner, Miranda Rouse, at:

Miranda Rouse, Ph.D.

Vice Chair, Communication Anxiety and Apprehension Division

National Communication Association

Assistant Professor of Rhetoric & Director of the Rhetoric Studio

Hampden-Sydney College

mrouse@hsc.edu

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Communication and Law Division

The Communication and Law Division promotes the development of scholarship regarding communication in legal contexts. We encourage diverse approaches to scholarly investigations and invite submissions from scholars of communication as well as other legal professionals, activists, and scholars of law.

We invite you to submit work to be presented at the 2025 NCA Annual Convention to be held November 20-23 in Denver, CO. Specifically, we encourage submissions of individual research and panel sessions that examine and promote the understanding of communication’s central role in legal institutions, discourses, and processes.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For instructions on completing a submission, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” instructions provided in the Convention Resource Library at https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Submissions must also follow the “Professional Standards for Convention Participants” (https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf)

TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS

The theme for the 2025 NCA Convention is “Communicate to Elevate.” We welcome submissions that use the convention theme as an opportunity for inspiration, especially considering the vibrant communicative intersection of communication and law, although incorporation of this theme is not required.

The Communication and Law Division accepts three types of submissions for competitive review and possible presentation in New Orleans:

Individual Paper

Individuals may make only one individual paper submission to the Communication and Law Division. Each individual competitive paper submitted must adhere to the following requirements:

No information identifying the author or authors should be included in the paper for purposes of anonymous review.
Length should be no longer than 4500 words (excluding notes and citations). Individuals are encouraged to limit their page count to what would represent their own delivery of a 10-12 minute presentation. If you would like to submit an individual paper to the division that does not comply with the page requirement, please contact the division planner, Edwin S. Lee at eslee3@crimson.ua.edu
Enter title, description, author(s) information, and keywords into the electronic submission form. The title should be no longer than 20 words. Please identify a student paper submission on the electronic submission form (not in the body of the paper itself).
Papers must be formatted using 12-pt. type, 1-inch margins on all four sides, using correct APA, MLA, Bluebook, or Chicago note-bibliography format/style.
Upload a copy of your paper.
Papers submitted for unit review may be referred for presentation in the Scholar-to-Scholar format (see: www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library). If you wish to be considered for Scholar-to-Scholar, choose the appropriate agreement box during the electronic submission process.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Paper Session

Each paper session submitted for consideration must include the following information:

A title for the session
A session description identifying the relevance to Communication and Law
A session rationale
The name of a chair who will be expected to coordinate with each individual author.
Title, extended abstract, and author information for each paper.
A respondent who will comment on the session as a whole (optional)
Please note other units for possible co-sponsorship in the Special Requests tab.
AV requests must be made at the time of the submission.

Note: individuals involved in the paper session should only have one role (whether presenter, chair, or respondent).

Panel Discussion

There are no papers presented at a panel discussion, although the chair is encouraged to provide brief opening remarks. The goal for the panel is to engage the audience in meaningful interaction. Each panel discussion submitted for consideration must include the following information:

A title for the discussion
A description for the discussion
A rationale for the discussion , adequately justifying its significance and relevance to furthering the goals of the Communication and Law Division
A list of presenters and affiliations. Institutional diversity is strongly encouraged.
The name of a chair who will be expected to coordinate with each presenter.
Submissions are encouraged to include collaboration among presenters and audience members.
Please note other units for possible co-sponsorship in the Special Requests tab.
AV requests must be made at the time of the submission.

Note: individuals involved in the panel session should only have one role (whether presenter or chair).

EVALUATION GUIDELINES

The following criteria guide the review process for an individual paper, paper session, and panel discussion submissions:

Demonstrates significance to the Communication and Law Division
Clearly states the problem and/or purpose of the research
Demonstrates methodological soundness and provides theoretical ground for claims
Reviews or otherwise engages with relevant literature and/or other work
Makes an important contribution to the area of communication and law
Demonstrates a high quality of writing
Represents the intersection of scholarship in the law/legal studies (including studies of law in other fields) and communication
Submissions are encouraged but not required to consider “Communicate to Elevate” in the content, structure, or collaboration within the session.
Submissions are encouraged to help foment connections between scholarship in communication and law, and civic or other activist work beyond the space of the conference room
Submissions are encouraged to highlight communication and legal labor and scholarship of people of color, LGBQ people, trans people, indigenous people, women, and members of other groups historically underrepresented and marginalized within the National Communication Association

Questions?

Submitters to the Division are also encouraged to serve as chairs, respondents, and reviewers. Please contact Edwin S. Lee at eslee3@crimson.ua.edu to volunteer for one of these positions.

Submissions to the Communication and Law Division must not be sent to another unit.

Division Planner: Edwin S. Lee, University of Alabama, eslee3@crimson.ua.edu

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Communication and Military Division

The Communication & Military Division (CMD) of the National Communication Association welcomes submissions for individual papers, extended abstracts, paper panel sessions, and panel discussions for the 2025 annual convention in Denver, CO. The military as a context for exploring communication has a rich history that intersects many areas of scholarship that represent our discipline, including (but not limited to) media, politics and policy, family, interpersonal, cultural, organizational, and health communication. Critical analyses of military and war rhetoric, case studies, and examinations of the military as an organization may be particularly relevant to this year’s theme. As outlined by our conference planner, Communicate to Elevate has two themes, 1) to “lift as we climb” acting on our duty as members to strive to help others realize their potential and 2) to conjure a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating. Simply put, we are taking everything we do as a discipline to the next level, and we cannot do it alone. Communicating to Elevate requires that the discipline works towards growth and continually affirms the evolution of our field.

Within the context of CMD, submitters are encouraged/challenged to consider:

How has our field already demonstrated work that seeks to communicate to elevate and “lift as we climb” in relation to the military, military families, military learners, veterans, and veteran service organizations?
In what ways can intersectional theoretical frameworks advance our analysis of identity negotiation among military service members?
What new theoretical models might better capture the complexity of communication during military-to-civilian transition periods?
How might mixed-method approaches elevate our understanding of communication barriers in veteran healthcare settings?
How do military-connected students’ narratives of transition to higher education create opportunities for elevating institutional support systems?
How do media representations of military families’ experiences elevate or diminish public understanding of their unique challenges and strengths?
In what ways do digital platforms elevate or constrain communication between deployed service members and their support systems?
How do rhetorical strategies in military policy debates elevate or suppress diverse perspectives on service-related issues?
To what extent has research conjured a spirit of excitement and innovation in communicating the needs of our military personnel, veterans, and their families?
Our division intersects many theoretical frameworks, with health communication serving as one primary location of collaboration. For 2025, we are seeking participants who have a work in-progress or ongoing research interests that place CMD in dialog with health communication research to consider submitting an abstract of their work for a potential collaboration with the Health Communication Division.

We encourage submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to communication – especially as it relates to the dual meaning of our theme and military personnel, veterans, and their families – as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration. CMD welcomes work from all theoretical and methodological perspectives.

CMD will accept the following submission types: 1) Individual Papers, 2) Extended Abstracts/Works in-progress, 3) Paper Sessions, and 4) Panel Discussions. Submissions will be accepted through NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Paper Requirements

Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Extended Abstract/Works in-Progress Requirements

Submissions must include a title, double-spaced description of the work in-progress including introduction/methods/results/brief discussion/references. A maximum of 4-pages with all information may be uploaded. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. Please include one of the following statements in your submission.

“I am submitting this abstract focused on CMD and health communication to be considered for collaboration with the Health Communication Division.”
“I plan to have the paper completed by November 2025 and want to be considered for a paper session.”

Paper Session Requirements

Panel Discussion Requirements

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

Thank you for considering submitting to the Communication & Military Division. We look forward to reviewing your submission. For questions or concerns about your submission specific to this section, please contact the 2025 Program Planner:

Kayla Rhidenour, Vice Chair
NCA Communication & Military Division
Baylor University

Kayla_rhidenour@baylor.edu

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Communication and Social Cognition Division

The Communication and Social Cognition (CSC) Division requests submissions of competitive individual submissions (full papers and extended abstracts), paper sessions, and panel discussions that highlight social cognition and communication—the psychological mechanisms that subserve the storage, processing, and retrieval of information as it pertains to the production and processing of messages in human interaction.

Submissions can have any research objective (e.g., empirical reports, methodological advancements, meta-analyses, theoretical syntheses) but must elucidate social cognitive processes in a communicative modality (face-to-face, mediated, et c.) or context (interpersonal, intergroup, health, etc.).

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Message production and processing, including linguistic analyses
Decision making
Risk perception and communication
Affective processes
Attitude formation and change
Media processes and effects
Impression formation and person perception
Stereotyping and prejudice
Activation and effects of knowledge structure(s)
Individual differences in communication production or processing
Persuasion and social influence
Computational methods that help uncover social cognitive processes

We encourage authors to draw on literature from various disciplines when applicable and to demonstrate relevant implications of their work. Consistent with the division’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) initiatives, we encourage scholarship that highlights, promotes, or expresses IDEA and relevant perspectives.

In alignment with NCA 2025’s theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” submissions are encouraged, but not required, to reflect a spirit that “lifts as we climb” by amplifying the many voices, realities, and experiences relevant to understanding the production and processing of messages in human and digital interactions.

Individual Competitive Submissions

All individual submissions must include a title, paper description (abstract), 3-5 keywords (to assist with review selection), and author information in the appropriate sections of the online submission form. You will also indicate in the online submission form whether your submission is written by a student author (the lead author must be a student at the time of the submission) and/or suitable for the Scholar to Scholar format. Copies of the submission must be uploaded into the online submission form and must not include identifying information. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties.

All submissions should adhere to the latest version of APA style. Underneath the abstract on the first page, please include a list of 3-6 keywords to assist with reviewer selection. Individual submissions (full papers and extended abstracts) may also be considered for presentation in poster sessions. To opt out of this consideration, please specify “panel presentation only” in the upper right corner of the first page of the manuscript. We will recognize the top paper and the top student papers in our division.

Full Papers

We will consider full manuscripts that are a maximum of 30 double-spaced pages, excluding the front matter (e.g., title, abstract, keywords), references, appendices, tables, and figures.

- Exclusively theoretical or methodological contributions are welcomed, but can only be submitted as full papers.
- Full papers are eligible for top paper awards.
- Please ensure that full paper submissions have page numbers.

Extended Abstracts

We will consider brief research reports of 1000 words or less excluding the front matter, references, appendices, tables, and figures.

- - Extended abstracts should contain at least a preliminary data analysis with the expectation of presenting complete results at the time of the conference.
  - Extended abstracts are not eligible for top paper awards.
  - Please provide a word count as part of your submission.

Paper Sessions and Panel Discussions

Proposals for paper sessions and panel discussions are welcomed. More than one institution should be represented in a proposed paper session or panel discussion. Respondents should only be included if absolutely necessary. If a respondent is included, the proposal should make clear the issues the respondent will address during the response.

Paper sessions

All paper sessions must include a session title, session chair (who is not also an author or respondent on the session), an overall session description, session rationale, and the titles, abstracts, and author(s) of each individual paper presentation.

Panel Discussions

All panel discussions must include a panel title, panel presenter information, an overall panel description, panel rationale, and a chair who is not also a panelist or respondent on the panel.

General Guidelines

All competitive individual submissions, paper sessions, and panel discussion proposals must be submitted online using the NCA Convention Central website.
NCA Convention Central can be accessed via the NCA Convention website at http://www.natcom.org/convention/.
Submitters can visit https://www.natcom.org/call-submissions to view the submission deadline.
All authors of a submission are expected to complete reviews for the division. Authors can visit https://www.natcom.org/reviewers to complete the “NCA 2025 Reviewer Sign up Form.”
All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.
All AV requests must be made at the time of submission.
Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the NCA Convention Resource Library.

Questions?

Please direct questions about submission or review processes to Kristy Hamilton, CSC Division Research Committee Chair (kristyhamilton@ucsb.edu).

Communication and Sport Division

The Communication and Sport Division of the National Communication Association seeks submissions for the 111th annual convention in Denver, CO. The theme of this year’s conference is “Communicate to Elevate.” This call welcomes all scholarly, pedagogical, and service-related endeavors pertaining to connections between communication practices and their complex relationship to sport. Topics include (but are not limited to) the relationships between communication and the discourses surrounding sport, representations of athletes in media, interpersonal and group interactions within sport, identity-oriented relationships facilitated and/or impeded by sport, the social and communicative construction of sport as community, power relations within the practice of sport, and communicative practices leading to marginalization/exclusion or serving as a tool for inclusion in sport. Work from all epistemological, theoretical, and methodological traditions fit within the parameters of the divisional aims and scope. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted. Refer to the Convention Resource Library for live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit.

The Communication and Sport Division accepts the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. We highly encourage submitters to indicate their interest in Scholar-to-Scholar presentations (poster session). Please indicate your willingness to present in a Scholar-to-Scholar format when submitting.

Individual Competitive Submissions

Individual Papers

Submissions are limited to 25 double-spaced pages, not inclusive of notes, references, illustrations, or tables. Papers should follow either APA or Chicago Manual of Style. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information anywhere in the document text or properties. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and AV requests. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page. Individual authors may not appear as the sole or lead author on more than one submission. The Top Paper and Top Student Paper will be recognized at our division meeting.

Please note: The Communication and Sport Division does not accept extended abstracts.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a panel title, a rationale statement of 250 words or less, a session description for the online convention program of 75 words or less, abstracts for each paper of 120 words or less, a chair, and a respondent. Submitted panels should include each participant’s name and affiliation. Submitters must include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter) in a submission.

Panel Discussions

All panel discussions must include a panel title, panel presenter information (names and affiliations), an overall panel description (maximum length: 75 words) to be included in the NCA program, panel rationale (maximum length: 1000 words) describing the significance of the panel, and a chair who is not also a participant on the panel. Panel Discussion submissions must include people representing multiple institutions, rather than panelists from only one or two institutions. Furthermore, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, presenter) in the session.

Reminder About Professional Standards

We look forward to excellent submissions and the opportunity to showcase the best of our division in the Mile High City!

Joseph McGlynn, Vice Chair and Division Planner

Communication and Sport Division

University of North Texas

Joseph.McGlynn@unt.edu

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Communication and the Future Division

The Communication and the Future (CATF) Division is dedicated to exploring communication research as it intersects with future-oriented thinking.

“The convention theme is ‘Communicate to Elevate,’ which I believe captures the spirit of what I hope will be an amazing conference and time to gather and break intellectual and communal bread together. When I was tasked with creating the conference theme, I wanted a phrase that was not only catchy but would also inspire us all to continue with the important work we do in the discipline whether it is teaching, research, and/or service. Communicate to Elevate is metaphorical and celebratory, tipping a hat to the Mile High City that will be our host city. By participating in the conference, we are showing a commitment to advancing the discipline and our craft in the way most fitting for us and for different reasons. One truth that brings us together is the value we see in communication in its various forms.” (Tina M. Harris, Second Vice President, 2024).

The Communication and the Future Division accepts a variety of topics and methods, be it critical, interpretive, qualitative, or quantitative, the division seeks to synthesize examinations of new communication issues in conjunction with established theories in the field. For example, a suggested topic might be how new communication industries alleviate or exacerbate racism. Another may be the positive impact of a new technology to deliver effective communication to impact positive health behaviors. Or perhaps an examination of the environmental impact of specific communication practices or technologies on particular groups. All of these, and more, would be equally at home in a Communication and the Future session.

*Our field remains committed to inter/multidisciplinary projects that may bridge interests from a number of divisions or interest groups. If you would like to be considered for co-sponsored panels (sponsored by more than one division), please note it in your abstract or first page.

The Communication and the Future will accept the following submission types: (1) Individual Competitive Papers, (2) Panel Discussions, and (3) Extended Abstracts that explore future developments in communication practices, publics, content, industries, and technologies.

Special consideration will be given to submissions that reflect the convention’s theme, as well as those that advance future-oriented communication-related research. Submissions may explore the future of any chosen topic in the field of communication.

*All submitters will be required to review for the division.

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

Maximum Length: 25 pages, not including end material; including a 100-200 word abstract (APA format).

Additional Information: The division is particularly supportive of theoretical efforts that go beyond the norm; beyond the usual; beyond the comfortable conceptual and theoretical; in short, be creative and critical in your thinking and writing of possible future developments for communication. Top Paper Awards and Student Top Paper Awards are given to individual papers that represent the best kind of research in accordance with the division’s mission. Special consideration will be given to those submissions that reflect the convention theme with a clear future-oriented application and focus. Work already published or accepted for publication should not be submitted. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties.

Scholar-to-Scholar: It is strongly encouraged that paper submitters also check the designated box to participate in a Scholar-to-Scholar session. Scholar to Scholar (S2S) presentations create a unique opportunity for questions and exchanges not available in more formal sessions. Presenters have a 4’ by 6’ bulletin board on which they can pin their presentation; presenters should make their posters as visually appealing and easy to read as possible. Submissions will be peer reviewed and evaluated by the planner and other reviewers. To have your work considered for S2S, check the designated box during the online “Competitive Paper” submission process.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

A panel discussion is submitted as a preconceived and complete session for presenters discussing a topic/issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. Panel discussion proposals must (a) include a specific overall title for the panel discussion; (b) include a description for the convention program (maximum 100 words); (c) a list of panelists and a session chair; (d) include a rationale for the overall proposed submission that outlines the importance of the panel discussion (maximum 500 words); and (e) per convention guidelines, submissions should not consist of panelists solely from one institution, unless the panel involves a special circumstance. Panel discussions will be competitively evaluated and special consideration will be given to those submissions that reflect the convention theme with a clear future-oriented application and focus.

EXTENDED ABSTRACTS

The division is accepting submissions of extended abstracts of either a) completed projects or b) works in progress. Extended abstract submissions should be no more than 1500 words in text length (i.e., not including the title page, references, charts, or tables). Extended abstracts longer than 1500 words will not be reviewed. Work already published or accepted for publication should not be submitted. Extended abstracts must be submitted as a blind review copy (see instructions here).

Audio/Visual Equipment: All audiovisual equipment requests must be made at the time of submission. Late requests cannot be accommodated.

Submitting for Blind Review: Competitive Papers, Scholar-to-Scholar, and Extended Abstract submissions MUST be submitted as a blind review copy. All personal information or references to personal information must be eliminated from the submission before uploading it into the system. Please include all personal information in the NCA Convention Central electronic forms and not with the submission itself. Many submitters fail to properly remove personal information from their paper’s internal properties. Please examine the detailed instructions NCA provides on Preparing an Unidentifiable Copy for Submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

For more information, follow the CATF Facebook page.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Communication and the Future Division programming, please contact:

Heather Riddell

Vice-Chair/Planner, Communication and the Future Division

hriddell@uwf.edu

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Communication as Social Construction Division

The Communication as Social Construction (CASC) Division invites inquiries that explicitly cite social construction literature and use social construction approaches to study face-to-face, cultural, and mediated communication. Referencing foundational texts of social construction is highly encouraged. Some influential scholars may include, but are not limited to the following: Burr, V.; Blumer, H.; Chen, V.; Davis, K.E.; Galanes, G.; Gergen, K.J.; Gergen, M.; Leeds-Hurwitz, W.; Littlejohn, S.W.; Pearce, W.B.; Spano, S.; and Tomm, K.

This year we especially welcome submissions that address, through the lens of social constructionism, questions posed in the broad convention call for participation by Dr. Tina Harris, who encourages submitters to consider the convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate”. The Communication as Social Construction division encourages submissions that explore how we communicate in ways that may elevate (1) the communicative construction of identity and relationships within any socially significant context; (2) the communicative construction of context itself; (3) the social construction of discord and the potential of communication to transform conflict into more harmonious relationships; (4) the social construction of regard, concern and esteem; (5) metatheoretical, theoretical, and methodological developments relevant to constructionist research, teaching, and application; (6) examinations of similarities and differences between social construction and other approaches to communication studies and practices, and (7) comparative analyses of approaches to communication as social construction across cultures or across levels of analysis.

Members of the Communication as Social Construction (CASC) Division are committed to promoting conversation and community among scholars whose work advances the idea that we create and recreate social worlds through interaction. Our division was created as a result of the NCA Summer Institute on Social Construction, “Catching Ourselves in the Act,” which was held in Albuquerque, NM, in August 2006. CASC scholars take a Communication Perspective to acknowledge communication processes as central to academic inquiry and practice with recognition of the transformative potential of communication teaching and research. The division is interested in topics related to social constructions of identity and relationships, discord and transformative conflict, and social constructions of the contexts we live in today. Examples of socially constructed contexts to examine may include relationships, media, technology, health, organizations, the classroom, and culture.

SUBMISSION FORMATS

CASC encourages scholars and practitioners interested in social construction to submit individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussion proposals for competitive review and selection. In addition, we urge potential contributors to submit CASC-related work directly to other special programming outlets for the 2025 NCA convention; more information can be found on the NCA Convention Central website. Contact the appropriate planners with ideas or for more details. Papers, panels, or sessions that particularly emphasize the theme of the Convention: “Communicate to Elevate” are encouraged.

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

The CASC Division is inviting two types of individual papers: Full Papers and Papers Under Construction. The requirements for each type of individual paper submission are detailed below:

Full Papers

Full papers are completed papers that follow the below criteria:

Along with the title at the top of the first page, include the words “full paper”.
No more than 25 pages, not including title page or references.
Remove all information that could identify the author(s) from the uploaded file prior to submission.
DO NOT include a cover page (Note: submitters will enter paper titles and author-related information on the website during the submission process).
The first page of the uploaded submission file should contain only the paper’s title and description (of no more than 250 words).
Standard font, font size, and formatting is required.
Student submitters will indicate “student paper” in the electronic submission form.

Papers Under Construction

The division has a “Works in Progress” panel consistent with our social constructionist philosophy. Papers included in this panel will engage in a more interactive session designed to both showcase and propel the research forward by engaging those seeking to complete a CASC-focused study. Individual (competitive) works in process must demonstrate a clear understanding and application of a social constructionist approach and must draw upon appropriate literature (as described above in the call). Submissions to “Papers Under Construction” must follow these criteria:

Along with the title at the top of the first page, include the words “Paper Under Construction”.
No more than 3 succinctly written pages, not including title page or references.
Proposals must include five components:

(i) Title.

(ii) A description of the research project.

(iii) a statement identifying where this project is in the research process.

(iv) an explanation of how this project is appropriate for the Communication as Social Construction Division; and

(v) references of cited in the three-page project description.

Remove all information that could identify the author(s) from the uploaded file prior to submission.
DO NOT include a cover page (Note: submitters will enter paper titles and author-related information on the website during the submission process.)
Standard font, font size, and formatting is required

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is a session with a group of panelists discussing a specific topic. Submissions must include:

The panel title and list of presenters with their names, institutional affiliations, and email addresses. A chair is required. For a panel discussion to be considered for inclusion in the convention program, panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions.
An overall panel description of no more than 150 words.
A rationale statement that provides an overall justification for the significance of the panel discussion of no more than 400 words.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.
If you think that the session might be a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor in the Special Requests box.

Paper Sessions

A paper session involves a group of presenters with titled papers/presentations centering on a common theme. Submissions must include:

The session title and designation of a chair (required).
An overall session description of no more than 150 words.
Titles, descriptions, and author(s) for each paper presentation. For a paper session to be considered for inclusion in the convention program, the session should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions.
A rationale statement that provides an overall justification for the significance of the paper session of no more than 400 words.
If the session is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor in the Special Requests box.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

All AV requests must be made at the time of submission in the electronic submission form.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Communication as Social Construction division, please contact:

Kara Laskowski

Communication as Social Construction Division Planner

kalask@ship.edu

Communication Assessment Division

The Communication Assessment Division equips National Communication Association (NCA) members with tools, strategies, and resources to navigate the diverse assessment world. We recognize that “assessment” carries multiple meanings, yet its influence resonates in every communication department through state requirements, program reviews, or regional accreditation mandates.

Broadly defined, communication assessment encompasses a spectrum of practices: (a) Specific assignments or course content, (b) Individual courses or multi-section evaluations, (c) Departmental and program-level assessment, and (d) General education and institutional assessment initiatives.

This year’s theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” provides a unique lens through which we can explore how assessment elevates learning, engagement, and discipline. We encourage submissions addressing topics such as:

Integrating Assessment into the Classroom: How can educators incorporate assessment practices that enhance learning outcomes and teaching strategies?
A Historical Lens: What is the history of assessment practices within communication departments and institutions?
Assessing Community Engagement: How does assessment measure the impact of community-based learning or engagement initiatives?
Advocacy for Stronger Practices: How can assessment findings drive institutional or departmental improvements?
Humanizing Assessment: What are the stories, identities, and experiences behind assessment data?
Field and Departmental Impact: How does assessment shape departmental culture, communication pedagogy, and the field?

We highly encourage submissions in the following areas:

Community College Classroom/Program Assessment
K-12 Educator Classroom/Program Assessment
Basic Course Assessment
Program Review and Program-Level Assessment

Submission Guidelines

The Communication Assessment Division accepts various submission types to embrace the conference’s spirit. We encourage discussion-based panels that allow individuals to share assessment ideas. We are also accepting Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. Submissions for individual papers may deviate from a standard research paper format, including assessment-related narratives, case studies, extended abstracts, research briefs, etc.

A high-intensity session may be formed depending on how many competitive papers we receive that focus on the scholarship or innovative practice of assessment. In addition, a “DATE” session (Developing Assessment Techniques for Excellence) on best assessment practices may be held, depending on the types of submissions. Structured like a “GIFTS” session, this program will feature 10-15 best assessment practices. Each presenter will prepare a 2–3-page handout for distribution at the session and spend about 4-5 minutes describing the practice. If you would like to submit a proposal to be added to the DATE session, please indicate that on the submission by following the instructions outlined below.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the Convention Library. We accept the following types of submissions:

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 25-page double spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Members are also encouraged to submit alternative paper formats such as assessment-related narratives, case studies, extended abstracts, or research briefs. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division if one emerges. Traditional paper submissions should include the title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

DATE Session

Submissions must include (a) a title, (b) a two-paragraph description of your technique, and (c) a rationale, including how it connects to best assessment practices in your uploaded document. Submitters should select “individual paper” as their submission type in NCA Convention Central. Please include the words “DATE;” in the title of your paper. For example, “DATE: How to survive assessment in program reviews.”

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Communication Assessment Division programming, please contact:

Sakile K. Camara

Communication Division Planner

sakile.camara@csun.edu

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Communication Centers Section

The Communication Centers Section of the National Communication Association welcomes submissions for individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2025 annual convention in Denver, Colorado.

The 2025 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” provides special opportunities to come together in order to examine and discuss future directions for research, teaching, and the role of the Center. We invite papers, panels, and proposals that fit within one or more of the following themes:

Communicate to Elevate through scholarship. We invite provocative paper and panel submissions that examine how we create academic spaces for uplifting and elevating each other through scholarship and the Center. We encourage you to reach out to other units and find ways in which the work we do can complement, or be complemented by, the work of others to advance communication scholarship.
Communicate to Elevate in research and teaching. We invite submissions that explore how communication research and teaching can be transformative in deconstructing traditional white, ableist, heterosexist, U.S.-centric, cis-gendered, male-dominated, and colonial history in order to promote and protect freedoms. As we renew our priorities and transform the fabric of public discourse, we have the opportunity to engage in dialogues that envision powerful changes that could improve the communities in which we work, live, and serve. Submissions dedicated to examining future directions for research, teaching, and the Center are encouraged.
Communicate to Elevate to envision perspectives and practices in the discipline. Our discipline must honor both the centrality and individual aspects that promote and celebrate our differences. We wish to explore opportunities to be part of important conversations and activities guiding this development and establish future directions for the discipline. Submissions dedicated to examining how the Center can serve as an agent for change as we reimagine the role of the Center.

Papers or sessions that address the convention theme are encouraged as are papers or sessions that focus on the perennial concerns of Communication Centers. Specifically, the section is interested in submissions that consider Communication Centers from both theoretical and empirical perspectives in addition to submissions that explore programmatic dimensions.

The Communication Centers Section will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Panel Discussions, and Scholar to Scholar Presentations. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. Submit your Communication Centers GIFTS to the GIFTS section.

Individual Paper Requirements

(papers can be co-authored; individual refers to one paper submission versus a session of multiple papers)

A title
A 250-500 word abstract
Author(s) information
Upload a minimum of 4 pages (double-spaced) including references and a maximum of 25 pages (double-spaced) of text not including title page and references. Completed papers are preferred. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the paper upload. Instructions on how to prepare an identifier-free copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).
Papers must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central.

Paper Session Requirements

A title
A description of no more than 75 words
A Chair (required) and Respondent (optional)
Titles, descriptions, and author(s) information for each paper
A rationale of no more than 250 words that states how the proposed session connects to the section and/or theme of the convention. The more specific the description, the more helpful it is to reviewers.
Paper session proposals must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central.

No individual participant should act in multiple roles for sessions. Also, paper sessions and panel discussions should include participants from multiple institutions.

Panel Discussions Requirements

A title
A description of no more than 75 words
A Chair (required) and Respondent (optional)
All presenters
A rationale of no more than 250 words that states how the proposed panel connects to the section and/or theme of the convention. The more specific the description, the more helpful it is to reviewers.
Panel discussion proposals must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central.

No individual participant should act in multiple roles for sessions. Also, paper sessions and panel discussions should include participants from multiple institutions.

Scholar to Scholar (S2S) Requirements

The Scholar to Scholar (S2S) format allows those submitting to present their papers in a highly visible and interactive poster-style format. Wandering scholars (e.g., experts in the field) typically engage participants in discussion and provide feedback about their work. If you would like for your paper to be considered for S2S, check the designated box during the online submission process. Audiovisual equipment is not provided for the S2S format.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Thank you for considering submitting to the Communication Centers section. We look forward to reviewing your submissions! For questions or concerns about your submission specific to this section, please contact the 2025 Program Planner, Miranda Rouse, at:

Miranda Rouse, Ph.D.

Vice Chair, Communication Centers Section

National Communication Association

Assistant Professor of Rhetoric & Director of the Rhetoric Studio

Hampden-Sydney College

mrouse@hsc.edu

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Communication Ethics Division

The Communication Ethics Division invites submissions of scholarly research for presentation at the 111th annual convention of the National Communication Association in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025.

The division promotes research and teaching related to ethical issues in all aspects of human communication.

This year’s theme is “Communicate to Elevate,” which is elaborated in the official description of the theme: “Communicate to Elevate is metaphorical and celebratory, tipping a hat to the Mile High City that will be our host city. By participating in the conference, we are showing a commitment to advancing the discipline and our craft in the way most fitting for us and for different reasons. One truth that brings us together is the value we see in communication in its various forms. “

We invite perspectives on communication ethics from across the discipline and from any methodological perspective or tradition. Papers that engage the theme are especially encouraged.

The Communication Ethics Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Performance Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Paper Requirements

These papers are stand-alone and are not associated with any other paper sessions or panel discussions. Please complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description, author(s), and keywords. Please indicate if your submission is a student paper on the electronic submission form. Paper submissions must include no more than a 30-page (excluding references), double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. On your title page, please indicate what outside sources (if any) are funding your research. Copies must be uploaded to NCA Convention Central and must NOT include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/). Papers that contain identifying information will be returned to the author for proper preparation. Based on the results of the peer reviews, the Division’s 2025 convention planner will use the individual papers to create a few paper sessions, including the top paper panel. Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) is typically presented in a poster format. If your work lends itself better to visual presentation, one-on-one discussion, or you are looking for personal feedback on your ideas, check the Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) agreement box in NCA Convention Central. At the convention, division/caucus leaders, journal editors and other experts, known as Wandering Scholars, will circulate at S2S and interact with participants and their work, seeking to energize, enhance, and expand collective thinking as they make connections with your presented work.

Paper Session Requirements

This session is composed of approximately 3-5 papers presented together, based on a particular theme. Paper sessions are evaluated as a whole. A respondent for these sessions is highly recommended while a chair is required. Submissions must include:

a session title
an overall session description
the name of the session’s chair (chair may also be a session author)
the name of the session’s respondent (if you have one)
a title, description for each individual paper, and author’s information
a rationale for the session outlining the importance of the submission as it relates to the convention theme and communication ethics research.

Panel Discussion Requirements

This type of session is a group of approximately 3-6 people, creating a theme around which to discuss their particular ideas and/or expertise regarding communication ethics. Papers are not presented during a panel discussion. Submissions must include:

a panel title
a general description of the panel discussion topic
the name of the session’s chair (chair may also be a panel presenter)
the name for each individual on the panel
a rationale for the panel discussion’s importance as it relates to the convention theme and communication ethics interests

Performance Session Requirements

This session is composed of a single or multiple performances based on a particular theme. Performance sessions are evaluated as a whole. A respondent for these sessions is highly recommended and a chair is required. Submissions must include:

a session title
an overall session description
the name of the session’s chair (chair may also be a session performer)
the name of the session’s respondent (if you have one)
a title, description for each individual performance, and performer’s information
a rationale for the session, outlining the importance of the submission as it relates to the convention theme and communication ethics research
the length of the performance

Please note audio-visual or other special requests within your submission.

The Communication Ethics Division recognizes excellence in communication ethics scholarship with an annual award for top conference papers. Based on reviewers’ responses, a top papers panel will be created by the Division’s convention planner. A top paper by a scholar(s) and a top paper by a graduate or undergraduate student will be presented. The top paper by a scholar(s) will receive a certificate of achievement, and the top student paper will receive a small cash award and certificate during the panel presentation. Both recipients are recognized during our business meeting.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants, located in the Convention Resource Library, prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are also available in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

Questions?

Any questions about this call or process may be directed to the Communication Ethics Division 2025 convention program planner, Abbey N. McCann (mccanna@uncw.edu).

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Community College Section

The Community College Section of the National Communication Association promotes dialogue and research about the transformative role of communication education within community college settings. Our section addresses topics unique to the intersection of two-year institutions and community, as well as the broader contexts of the communication discipline and higher education. We sponsor conference programs, engage in relevant research, and share practical advice about a variety of topics including program and course development, student-centered pedagogical approaches, student demographics, administrative challenges, social justice, and the influence of community colleges within higher education.

The Community College Section is seeking submissions that highlight “Communicate to Elevate” to promote conversation and research regarding the role communication departments, programs, students, and faculty play in their diverse missions and objectives within community colleges. Submissions that highlight collaboration between multiple interest groups, institutions, disciplinary areas, and community partners are strongly encouraged; we are especially interested in submissions that are related to the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” This includes, but is not limited to, scholarship that addresses questions such as:

Communicating to Elevate has two specific meanings to inspire us as we prepare for our time in Denver. First, it speaks to our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are “lifting as we climb,” ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate the difficult terrains that we oftentimes face. As we ascend to higher heights, we commit to bringing others along and creating spaces where others can thrive as well.

Second, Communicating to Elevate was created to conjure up a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating. We are taking everything we do to the next level, and we cannot do it alone. We must come together as a beautifully complex and diverse community whose differences are celebrated, communicated, appreciated, and respected. This also means that we are actively prioritizing communication in its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work. Communicating to Elevate requires that we work towards growth and continually affirm our evolution and existence. Communication is fundamental to every aspect of life, and without our scholarship or instruction, where would the field be? Where is the field going? Together, we can play an essential role in determining our future, one filled with hope and promise.

The Community College Section will accept the following types of submissions: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Performance Sessions, Panel Discussions.

ALL submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. For definitions of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” instructions provided in the Convention Library.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a complete blind manuscript, article, or essay (30-page max). Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare a blind copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. If we receive more than ten papers, recognition for the Top Paper will be awarded. Submissions should include title, author(s) information, description of the paper (abstract), and keywords. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Submitters should indicate their willingness to present in Scholar to Scholar in the appropriate form (Scholar to scholar is an interactive one-on-one presentation format (AKA poster sessions).

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a session title, description, and author(s) information for each paper. A session chair is required, respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale outlining the importance of the submission in relation to 2024 convention theme & Community College Section areas of interest. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Performance Session

If you have a group of performances around a theme, please submit the collection as a Performance Session. Select Performance Session in NCA Convention Central as the submission type for this format. Submissions must include session title and description, individual performance titles, description of each performance (of no more than 75 words), a rationale of the performance fitting the conference theme of no more than 250 words, and the performers (include a session chair and respondent, if desired). AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include the title of the session, a session description and a rationale outlining the importance of the submission in relation to 2025 convention theme & Community College Section areas of interest. Please also include the names of participants (indicate panel chair–required). Participants should represent/demonstrate interactions between different institutions and community groups to strengthen acceptance possibilities. NO panels composed of presenters all from one institution will be accepted! No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

**Paper session, panel discussions, and performance sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. When possible, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

ALL submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Library.

ALL audio-visual equipment needs must be requested at the time of the online submissions. Standard equipment needs will be handled as best as can be by NCA. Presenters must supply their own laptop computer to hook up to projectors, or for other audio-visual requirements, must supply their own equipment.

While all submitters are required to sign an online statement indicating a willingness to attend the convention, it is your responsibility to attend. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to attend and/or present your work, best practices require that you find a proxy to present the work.

Questions?

For more information or for questions, please contact me directly:

Robert Becker

Northwest College

robert.becker@nwc.edu

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Critical and Cultural Studies Division

The Critical and Cultural Studies Division views communication and culture as mutually constitutive, and we are dedicated to fostering critical and interdisciplinary approaches to a broad range of topics. We invite the submission of competitive individual papers, panel discussions, paper sessions, performance sessions, and film sessions that investigate topics related to identities, communities, cultures, infrastructure, technology, politics, economics, and/or spaces for the 2025 National Communication Association’s (NCA) Convention in Denver, Colorado. We invite submissions that advance Critical/Cultural scholarship. We also welcome submissions that engage with the convention’s theme of “Communicate to Elevate.” Please see the NCA call for submissions for more details on this theme.

Given CCSD’s commitment to scholarship that examines and challenges agency and power relations in a variety of contexts, critical engagement with the 2025 convention theme would consider agency and power as well as positionality and language. Submissions that emphasize materiality, reflexivity, and relationality are especially welcome. We also invite submissions that engage with local, national, and transnational histories of structural violence and resistance.

Furthermore, we seek papers and sessions that align with CCSD’s commitment to empowering historically marginalized voices within our division and the association. We champion work that scrutinizes how discourses and practices impact individuals and communities, embodies insightful interpretation, and generates productive theorizing. The Division is especially interested in original scholarship that is daring, nuanced, imaginative, and visionary; work that has the potential to create anew or overturn fundamental paradigms. Submissions should challenge ‘conventional’ wisdom, lead to unexpected insights which may offer us new methodologies, techniques, theoretical perspectives, and/or redefine disciplinary/area boundaries. We hope this year’s theme combined with reviewers who are excited for transformative research will encourage submitters to be ambitious in their analyses, to stray from primary paths of research into areas/scholarship previously unknown to them or historically and systemically excluded by our professional structures.

We welcome submissions that utilize diverse methodologies and theoretical perspectives, and we very strongly encourage panels/sessions that represent scholarship from multiple institutions. This year, as always, we are interested in scholarship that also appeal to members of other divisions and caucuses. Please indicate in your submission what other divisions this submission would fall under so that we can appropriately match sponsoring divisions and caucuses.

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

All submitters are invited to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful online resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available at the Convention Library.
All papers, panels, and proposed sessions must be submitted electronically to the NCA Convention Central Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted.
Each submission should be made to one unit only. Submitters should offer co-sponsorship recommendations and rationales in the Special Requests box.
Submitters can also indicate if they would be willing to present their work at a Scholar to Scholar poster session.
All audiovisual equipment needs must be requested at the time of submission. Late requests cannot be accommodated.
With the exception of individual paper submissions, all submissions for sessions should include scholars representing multiple institutions rather than just one or two institutions. Additionally, a single person should not serve more than one role in a submission.
Papers that include data from participants must include concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak in theoretically rich ways about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitations sections in the discussion. Papers with data from participants that do not meet this requirement will not be paneled.

TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS

Competitive Individual Paper

Submitted papers should include:

Paper title
Author(s) full information
A 75-word description of the paper for the program
Abstract (150 words maximum) and approximately 5 keywords
Maximum 25 pages of double-spaced text with 1-inch margins using 12 point font (not including abstract, references, and/or notes). To ensure proper peer review, please do not include any identifying information in the paper or the document’s “properties.”
If the paper is a student submission, please indicate so on the electronic submission form and not on the paper itself.

Paper Session

Submitted paper sessions should include:

Session title
Description of the session (75 words maximum) for the program
A chair (required) and a respondent
Titles, abstracts (150 words maximum), and author(s) full contact information for each paper
Rationale for the session (250 words maximum). This should include an explanation for how the session relates to the CCSD and/or the convention theme and how the configuration of your panel evinces a material commitment to the themes espoused in your session. Co-sponsorships are always encouraged though not required.

Panel Discussion

Submitted panel discussions should include:

Title of the panel
Description of the panel (75 words maximum) for the program
A list of presenters and full contact information, including a chair (required) and a respondent
Rationale for the panel (250 words maximum) focused on the significance and coherence of the panel. Include an explanation for how the panel relates to the CCSD and/or the convention theme and how the configuration of your panel evinces a material commitment to the themes espoused in your session. If needed, a longer rationale (750 words maximum) can be uploaded as an attachment with your submission.

Performance Session

Performances are not submitted nor reviewed individually, the entire session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Submitted performance sessions should include:

Title of the session
Description of the session (75 words maximum) for the program
Rationale for the session (250 words maximum). This should include a discussion of how the session relates to the CCSD (and other divisions if co-sponsorship is suggested) and/or the convention theme and how the configuration of your panel evinces a material commitment to the themes espoused in your session. If needed, a longer rationale (750 words maximum) can be uploaded as an attachment with your submission.
A list of title(s), description(s), and full contact information for performer(s) for each performance, and a session chair (required) and respondent

Film Session

Film(s) are not submitted nor reviewed individually, the entire session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Submitted film sessions should include:

Title of the session
Description of the session (75 words maximum) for the program
A list of title(s), description(s) – include a link to the film or a trailer, and full contact information for participants, including a session chair (required) and respondent
Rationale for the session (250 words maximum). This should include a discussion of how the session relates to the CCSD (and other divisions if co-sponsorship is suggested) and/or the convention theme and how the configuration of your panel evinces a material commitment to the themes espoused in your session. If needed, a longer rationale (750 words maximum) can be uploaded as an attachment with your submission.

BUSINESS MEETING

All reviewers, submitters, authors, and presenters are encouraged to attend the CCSD business meeting at the convention. During this session officers will present awards, members will elect new officers, and we will have time to fellowship with each other.

Questions?

For more information or questions specific to this CCSD call, please contact the 2025 Program Planner:

Dr. Manoucheka Celeste

Vice-chair, Critical and Cultural Studies Division

manouche@uic.edu

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Death and Dying Division

The Death and Dying Division brings together scholars from all disciplinary and methodological backgrounds in the field of Communication Studies to support research about all manners of death, dying, grief, loss, and bereavement-related topics. In addition to issues of literal physical death and dying (including medical experiences of death and meaning-making during end-of-life and postmortem), our scholars also study monuments, memorials, built environments and spaces of death and grief, grief, mourning, bereavement, more-than-human loss and grief, environmental loss and grief, death in the digital, death in media, narratives, and performances about death and loss, bio/necropolitics as they relate to the death of individuals, groups, and institutions, and death and grief-related discourse.

The Death and Dying Division seeks submissions that extend death, dying, and grief research in line with the 2025 “Communication to Elevate” conference theme. For the 2025 conference, we will find ourselves in Denver, Colorado. Colorado is home to the only public open-air funeral cremation pyre in the United States of America, located in Crestone. Funeral pyres have a long and significant history of elevating the dead–literally, spiritually, and metaphorically–at end-of-life. As smoke rises from the funeral pyre, the body and memory of the deceased ascend and are transformed, and with it the memories of their life. “Communication to Elevate” allows us as scholars to share research that elevates important concerns about death, dying, and grief, and transform conversations about end-of-life communication scholarship.

While in Colorado, we look forward to having enriching discussions about death, dying, and grief research that elevates marginalized, historically and systemically overlooked, and diverse and innovative understandings and experiences of end-of-life, death, dying, grief, and postmortem topics.

We will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Panels, Individual Creative Projects, Creative Sessions, and Roundtable Discussions. All submissions must be submitted using NCA’s Convention Central. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Paper submissions must include a completed anonymized draft of no more than 30 pages, double-spaced, standard margins uploaded to the NCA Convention Central. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Panelists should expect to be allotted 10-12 minutes to present if their paper is accepted. Submissions should include a title, abstract, keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. We will recognize the top paper in the division.

Paper Panels

Submissions must include a title, brief panel description (100-150 words), extended panel rationale (up to 500 words), list of presenters, presentation titles, and presentation descriptions (100-150 words each). A chair is required, a respondent is optional.

Individual Creative Projects

Creative submissions include but are not limited to: performances, film, poetry, creative writing, and art portfolios. Submissions must include the complete creative work (performance script, film, art portfolio, etc.) which should not exceed 30 pages, double-spaced or 20 minutes in length. Additionally, submissions should include a project rationale (up to 500 words) that explains both the exigence for the project as well as the method of presentation. Submissions should be anonymized.

Creative Sessions

Submissions must include a title, brief session description (100-150 words), extended session rationale (up to 500 words), and a list of presentations with titles, presenter info, and presentation abstracts (100-150 words). A chair is required, a respondent is optional. Creative sessions should not include traditional papers. Creative sessions can take the form of a panel, a participatory workshop, a pedagogy session, a performance session, etc.

Roundtable Discussions

Submissions must include a title, brief session description (100-150 words), extended session rationale (up to 500 words), and a list of participants. A chair is required, and a respondent is optional. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Please review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submitting. All submitters are expected to attend the 2025 NCA conference in person if their work is accepted (bearing unexpected emergencies). For assistance submitting, please utilize the Convention Resource Library before contacting the Program Planner.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Death and Dying Division programming, please contact:

Cheyenne Zaremba

Death and Dying Division Vice Chair and Program Planner

cez5128@psu.edu

zaremba.cheyenne@gmail.com

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Economics, Communication, and Society Division

The Economics, Communication, and Society Division (ECS) of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, from November 20-23, 2025.

The ECS division promotes scholarship on multiple and diverse communicative dimensions of economic theory and practice as well as economies of communication. In particular, the division aims to support four major areas of research: the rhetoric of economics, cultural studies of the economy, the political economy of communication, and critical organizational communication. ECS invites scholarship that uses interdisciplinary methods and explores a range of topics. We are interested in work that intersects with other fields in communication (e.g., economics and the environment; cultural identity and economics; organizational communication; gender and the economy; digital cultures and economics; media coverage of economic issues, etc.).

Our 2024 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” captures the ethos of Denver as the Mile High City, inviting us to explore the power of communication to elevate others as well as celebrate our own disciplinary community. For ECS this theme calls us to consider how economies and economic discourses both empower and disempower, raising some voices on high while holding others down. Elevation itself may be understood as a symbolic marker of value and/or a means of drawing our attention, resonating across diverse regional, cultural, political, historical, and technological contexts. This theme presents a further opportunity to consider how we may elevate the work of communication and economics within the discipline as well as how we can engage this work to elevate the discipline as a whole.

In this spirit, ECS encourages submissions that meaningfully consider the theme of “Communicate to Elevate” as it applies to economics as well as discourses of the economy and communication’s study thereof. Panels, papers, and discussion sections that engage the theme and location will be given special consideration by the program planner.

Please feel free to send questions to the Economics, Communication, and Society Division’s Program Planner for 2025, Megan L. Zahay (megan.zahay@purchase.edu).

TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

We invite submissions of (1) individual papers, (2) paper sessions, and (3) panel discussions. An individual should submit no more than one paper to ECS, and that paper should not have been submitted to another division for this convention, nor should the work have been presented at another conference. Submitters are not required to be members of ECS, but we strongly encourage you to join! Submissions should address one of the four broad research areas of the division: rhetoric of economics, cultural studies of the economy, the political economy of communication, and critical organizational communication.

All submissions must be made through NCA Convention Central. Submissions MUST be uploaded to the site by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Monday, March 31, 2025. Please begin the submission process well in advance.

Individual Papers

Individual papers are completed, unpublished research papers. The Vice-Chair will organize accepted individual papers into thematic panels and assign a chair and respondent. Paper submission guidelines are as follows:

Please complete the required submission fields including title, abstract, author(s), and keywords.
The maximum length for submitted papers is 25 double-spaced pages, excluding title page, notes, and illustrations.
To ensure anonymous review, upload a copy of your paper that has all identifying information removed. To remove identifying data, make sure you: (a) remove author(s) identifying information such as the title page or personal references, (b) remove author(s) identifying information from the file name of the document, (c) remove author(s) information from the document properties, and (d) re-save the file and confirm that the properties changes have been updated. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
Preview your submission to ensure all information is correct before finalizing the submission.
If the paper is written fully by graduate or undergraduate student(s), please select student on the electronic form. ECS encourages student submissions and aims or arrange panels involving both students and faculty members.
ECS encourages all paper submitters to mark the Scholar-to-Scholar option if their work can be effectively presented in a poster format. Papers that we otherwise would not have room to place in a session slot may be accepted if this box is checked on the electronic submission form.
All audio/visual (A/V) requests must be made at the time of submission.

Completed papers that are accepted for presentation and then uploaded by the submitter should be available to respondents via NCA Convention Central prior to the convention.

Paper Sessions

A paper session involves a group of presenters with titled papers centering on a common theme. This submission type is ideal for scholars working on ongoing, or recently completed research as they move it forward. Paper sessions that include participants of varied career stages across different universities and geographical regions and those that include diversity of race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other identity positions are strongly encouraged. ECS encourages submissions that are particularly resonant with the conference theme, for they may be candidates for additional panel slots selected by the overall convention planner. Proposals must include:

A title and description for the paper session
Names of a chair (required) and a respondent (optional)
Titles, abstracts, and author information for each paper
A rationale that provides an overall justification for the significance of the paper session
If the paper session is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor on the special requests tab.
All audio/visual (A/V) requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion involves a group of panelists discussing a specific topic, but panelists do not present individually-titled papers. This submission type is ideal for presenting a current debate, question, or site of inquiry that multiple scholars can convene upon. We strongly encourage panel sessions that include participants of varied career stages across different universities and geographical regions, as well as those that include diversity of race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other identity positions. ECS encourages submissions that are particularly resonant with the conference theme, for they may be candidates for additional panel slots selected by the overall convention planner. Proposals must include:

A title and description for the panel discussion
The names of a chair and all presenters
A rationale that provides an overall justification for the significance of the panel discussion
If the panel discussion is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor on the special requests tab.
All audio/visual (A/V) requests must be made at the time of submission.

Top Paper Awards

The ECS Division offers two awards for submitted papers: a top student paper and a top paper. Awards are presented at the ECS business meeting and top papers will be presented in a special session at the convention.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Economics, Communication, and Society Division programming, please contact:

Megan L. Zahay, PhD

Economics, Communication, and Society Division Program Planner

Purchase College – SUNY

megan.zahay@purchase.edu

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Emeritus/Retired Members Section

The Emeritus/Retired Members Section is comprised of members who have retired or are considering retirement. Its membership includes academicians and scholars from all interest groups. As such, it is a unique unit that encourages and celebrates cross-disciplinary dialogue and programming.

The Emeritus/Retired Members Section invites submissions from all disciplines for the 2025 111th NCA Convention, November 20-23, in Denver CO. The theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” encourages submissions that speak to the myriad of ways that communication lifts, supports and encourages growth and change: “opportunities to amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are.”

The Emeritus/Retired Members Section will accept submissions from the following types: Panel Discussions and Performance Sessions. NOTE: All submission must be made via NCA Convention 1. Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and description, and a complete list of all presenters and their affiliations. Please provide a rationale for acceptance, outlining the importance of the session. A session Chair is required. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Performance Sessions

Submissions must include a session title and description; individual titles, descriptions, and performers. Please include a rationale which speaks to the importance of the program, as well as the approximate length of the performance(S).

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submitting. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions?

Questions regarding submissions, contact:

Roberta Crisson, Professor Emeritus

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Emeritus/Retired Members Section Program Planner

Roberta.crisson@live.kutztown.edu

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Environmental Communication Division

The Environmental Communication Division (ECD) of the National Communication Association (NCA) promotes scholarship, research, dialogue, teaching, consulting, service, and awareness in the area of environmental communication. Environmental Communication assumes that all communication involves an environmental dimension, because symbolic and natural systems are mutually constituted. Humans are one part of the broader ecosystems and cultures we inhabit, both defining and shaped by our corporeal, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical alienation from and proximity to those spaces and communities. To explore these rich and significant connections, we encourage scholarship and pedagogy that showcases and advances our understanding of the production, reception, contexts, or processes of human communication regarding environmental issues. Some areas in environmental communication include but not limited to environmental/climate/energy justice, climate change communication, energy communication, sustainability, environmental colonialisms, environmental journalism, and anti-colonialisms, gender and nature, Indigenous ecological knowledges, mediated representations of environmental issues, ecological communication/rhetoric, racial ecologies, and more than human communication/rhetoric.

For the 2024 NCA Convention, ECD invites submissions in six general formats: (1) individual paper; (2) paper session; (3) panel discussion (e.g., roundtable/workshop); (4) film sessions; (5) scholar-to-scholar; and (6) extended abstract.

Aceptamos ensayos en inglés o en español para apoyar investigaciones en varios idiomas. (We are accepting work in English or Spanish to support research in several languages.)

If you are interested in submitting in a language other than English or Spanish, please contact the Program Planner.

The theme for the year is “Communicate to Elevate.” EC invites papers, panels, and performances that embody our shared duty to uplift others as we strive for personal growth, exchange wisdom, and create spaces for collective success. The theme also inspires excitement and innovation in our scholarship, urging us to collaborate as a diverse and inclusive community that celebrates and respects our differences.

With our call, we echo NCA’s vice president Tina Harris’ inquiries: “actively prioritizing communication and its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work. Communicating to Elevate requires that we work toward growth and continually affirm our evolution and existence as a field. The conference is a sustained opportunity to amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are. Communication is fundamental to every aspect of life, and without our scholarship or instruction, where would the field be? Where is the field going? Together, we can play an essential role in determining our future, one filled with hope and promise.”

We strongly encourage submissions that discuss these questions in relation to environmental communication theories, methods, perspectives, approaches, and topics.

All submissions to the ECD will be competitively reviewed. Review criteria include: (1) writing quality, from clarity of prose to overall coherence; (2) topical relevance to ECD and the conference theme; (3) scholarly thoroughness (theoretical and analytical and/or empirical); and (4) overall contribution to environmental communication theory and/or practice that extends, nuances, and/or challenges ongoing scholarly conversations.

We especially encourage submissions from those who have not submitted to the ECD before. To promote robust participation, an individual cannot be included in more than two submissions to the division. In addition, each individual will be restricted to one role per session (i.e. chair, respondent, or presenter). To make maximum use of the ECD slots at the convention, the program planner will collaborate with program planners from other caucuses, divisions, and interest groups on co-sponsoring sessions. Submitters will be notified when co-sponsorship affects their submission. All AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

SUBMITTING AN INDIVIDUAL PAPER (reviewed anonymously)

In preparing individual paper submissions, please adhere to the following guidelines

Individual papers should be no more than 25 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font), excluding the abstract, keywords, and references.
Include an abstract, not exceeding 150 words to be included in the convention program, and up to 5 keywords.
No information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper file. To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper (including title page and headers) and the document’s embedded properties before uploading the document. Author information is collected elsewhere in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
Please indicate if author(s) is/are student(s). To be eligible for a top student paper award, all authors on a submission must be currently enrolled students at the time of submission.
Papers that include data from participants must incorporate concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak in theoretically rich ways about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitation sections in the discussion.
Authors are encouraged to consider the “Scholar-to-Scholar” interactive presentation format, utilizing posters and emphasizing interactive discussion. If interested in this format, please check the agreement box at the time of submission.

SUBMITTING A PAPER SESSION PROPOSAL (not anonymous)

In preparing paper session submissions, please include the following information:

Title for the paper session
Name, job title, affiliation, and email for each paper author
A description of the session in two sentences to be included in the convention program
A rationale for paper session
5 keywords
Titles for each paper to be presented
Abstracts for each paper

Please note: Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions.

SUBMITTING A PANEL DISCUSSION PROPOSAL (not anonymous)

In preparing paper session submissions, please include the following information:

A title for the panel discussion
Name, job title, affiliation, and email for each presenter
A description of the session in two sentences to be included in the convention program
A rationale for panel discussion. Rationales should include a brief description about the proposed format (e.g. Q&A, audience participation, workshop, etc.)
5 keywords

Please note: Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions.

SUBMITTING A FILM SESSION PROPOSAL (not anonymous)

In preparing film session submissions, please include the following information:

A title for the film session
A rationale for the film session
A description of the session in two sentences to be included in the convention program
A title and brief (no more than a paragraph) description for each film to be included in the film session. Descriptions should also include total run time for each film.
Name job title, affiliation, and email address for each presenter
5 keywords
Please note: Cumulative run time for all films in a single session should not exceed one hour in length.

SUBMITTING AN EXTENDED ABSTRACT PROPOSAL (anonymous)

Note: We are using the new extended abstract option as a way to support work in progress, especially for early career scholars (e.g., undergraduate students, graduate students; tenure-track assistant professors; postdocs; career-line, visiting, or non-tenure line instructors within approximately 6 years of receiving a graduate degree; and practitioners in early stages of their profession). Extended abstracts that are accepted for the conference will be slated for panels with 6-10 presenters, with shortened presentation times (5-7 minutes), and at least one respondent who can offer feedback on the works in progress.

In extended abstract submissions, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Extended abstracts should be no more than 5 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font), excluding the abstract, keywords, and references.
Include an abstract, not exceeding 150 words to be included in the convention program, and up to 5 keywords.
No information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper file. To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper (including title page and headers) and the document’s embedded properties before uploading the document. Author information is collected elsewhere in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
Please indicate if author(s) is/are students or early career.
Papers that include data from participants must include concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak in theoretically rich ways about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitation sections in the discussion.

All submitters are encouraged to visit the Convention Resource Library (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library). Helpful resources, including instructions on how to submit, are available. All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central.

Thank you for your interest in submitting work to the Environmental Communication Division.

NCA ECD Program Planner: Muhammad Ittefaq, James Madison U ittefamx@jmu.edu

NCA ECD website: https://sites.google.com/view/ecdnca/home

NCA ECD FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1797821383794021/

NCA ECD X: @ecdnca

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Ethnography Division

The Ethnography Division of the National Communication Association (NCA) invites submissions for the 2025 convention in Denver, Colorado addressing the theory, research, and/or pedagogy of ethnographic research and its related approaches. Ethnography includes autoethnography, participant observation, narrative, and personal narrative, among other forms of scholarship, pedagogy, or activism.

This year’s convention theme is “Communicate to Elevate.”

Submissions that directly and creatively address the theme are encouraged. Such submissions may engage the concept in a variety of ways, including works that move beyond traditional research presentations and that engage audiences in interesting, perhaps provocative ways. Given the connections between ethnography and cultural understandings, and given the current historical moment of the field, we especially invite submissions that examine and interrogate intersectional power, privilege, and oppression in addition to bodies, relationalities, and communities culturally marked by race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age, (dis)ability, nationality, and/or socioeconomic status.

The Ethnography Division will accept the following submission types

Individual Papers

These papers are submitted directly by an author or authors for consideration as an individual paper and not as part of a pre-conceived paper session. The papers are competitively reviewed, and we will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions must include a paper of no more than 30 double-spaced pages (excluding title page, abstract, and references but inclusive of all tables, images, and figures). Please remove all identifying information from the document properties before uploading the document to NCA Convention Central. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should include title, description, keywords, author(s) information and AV requests in the appropriate electronic fields.

Student submitters should indicate their student status on the title page and in the relevant box on the submission form. The Ethnography Division awards the highest ranked competitive student paper for each year’s convention with the John T. Warren Top Student Paper in Ethnography.

Paper Sessions

A paper session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of papers. The papers are not submitted or reviewed individually and are not submitted by the author(s) but rather by the individual submitting the paper session. The paper session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Submissions must include: 1) the session title; 2) an abstract of no more than 75 words; 3) a rationale of no more than 250 words; and 4) paper titles, abstracts (75 words), and author name(s) and affiliations for each paper. The 250-word rationale should articulate the importance of the paper session as a whole—what does it seek to accomplish? A session chair is required. Preference will be given to submissions that feature presenters from multiple institutions. AV requests should be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of presenters discussing a relevant topic or issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. Submissions must include a: 1) session title; 2) names and affiliations of the panelists; 3) session description or abstract of 75 words; and 4) a 250-word rationale. The session rationale should include a summary of the topic or issue to be discussed and its relevance to the division and/or convention theme. The rationale should include an explanation for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission, and the credentials of presenters leading the discussion. A session chair is required, and a respondent is optional. Preference will be given to submissions that feature presenters from multiple institutions. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Performance Sessions

A performance session is a pre-conceived and complete session. The performance session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Submissions must include 1) session title; 2) names and affiliations of the presenters or performers; 3) session description or abstract of 75 words; 4) a 250-word rationale outlining the importance of the session; and 5) title(s) and description(s) of each performance. A session chair is required, and a respondent is optional. Preference will be given to submissions that feature presenters from multiple institutions. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Individual Films

The Ethnography Division accepts short film submissions that explore, represent, and embody ethnographic research and the ethnographic spirit of inquiry. Individual films are not part of a pre-conceived film session and will be reviewed individually. These submissions must include: 1) a title page; 2) a description, abstract, or rationale of no more than 250 words; and 3) a URL link to the film on an accessible platform (for example, YouTube). As individual films will be paneled by the Division planner with other films or papers, submissions must adhere to a strict 10-minute time limit. Presenters may show an excerpt of the film to fit this time limit, and this should be noted in the submission along with the specific time frame of the excerpt for viewing. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Film Sessions

The Ethnography Division accepts film session submissions that explore, represent, and embody ethnographic research and the ethnographic spirit of inquiry. A film session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of films. The films are not submitted or reviewed individually and are not submitted by the author(s) but rather by the individual submitting the film session. The film session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Submissions must include: 1) the session title; 2) an abstract of no more than 75 words; 3) a rationale of no more than 250 words; and 4) film titles, abstracts (75 words), and filmmaker name(s) and affiliations for each film; 5) a URL link to each film on an accessible platform (for example, YouTube). A session chair is required, and preference will be given to submissions that feature presenters from multiple institutions. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests should be made at the time of submission.

Extended Abstracts

The Ethnography Division accepts extended abstracts for incomplete works in progress. The abstracts will be reviewed for inclusion in a works in progress panel. Submissions must include abstracts of no more than 750 words. Please remove all identifying information from the document properties before uploading the document to NCA Convention Central. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should include title, description, keywords, author(s) information and AV requests in the appropriate electronic fields.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Library.

Paper session, panel discussions, performance sessions, and film sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Questions?

Please see the general convention call or contact the Ethnography Division Vice Chair and 2025 Program Planner, Wilfredo Alvarez, at walvarez@msudenver.edu

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Experiential Learning in Communication Division

Experiential Learning in Communication welcomes your submissions for our sessions in Denver, Colorado. Experiential learning involves creating and facilitating direct, practical learning experiences for students and asking them to reflect on the learning process. This division focuses on the practice of experiential learning with the goal of understanding the process and impacts of the communication process in our world. Forms of experiential learning include:

Community-Based Learning
Internships and Practicum
Study Abroad
Service-Learning
Simulations (Immersive Technology, Narrative Experiences, etc.)

The division would like to especially encourage 1) research and essays related to the role, value, opportunities, challenges, and assessed outcomes of experiential learning, 2) research and essays that highlight the contribution of experiential learning to communication theory and practice, 3) SPARK interactive session contributions (a hallmark of the Experiential Learning Division) designed to share teaching and project ideas related to service-learning and other types of experiential pedagogy, 4) Play! Interactive session contributions (new to the Experiential Learning Division in 2023) designed to inspire learning through participating in games and engaged learning activities, and 5) submissions from those in divisions across the association that feature experiential learning as a core pedagogy.

Reviewers will look for submissions that show evidence of:

Theoretical and/or practical contribution to experiential learning
Highlight new directions in experiential learning practice
Connect experiential learning with other areas of the discipline

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. AV requests must be made at the time of the submission. All submitters are encouraged to also review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Library.

The Experiential Learning in Communication Division welcomes the following types of submissions:

Individual Papers
Individual SPARK: Innovations in Practice submissions
Individual Play!: Innovations in Practice submissions
Paper Sessions

Individual Papers

Individual Paper submissions will withhold identifying information and submitters should:

Complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description (75-100 words), author(s), and keywords. Please indicate at the top of the manuscript if your submission is a student paper.
Upload a completed copy of your (30-page maximum) manuscript, double-spaced, 12-point font. The title page and file name should not include identifying information about the author(s). Indicate on the first page or with a header if you are a student. Student authored papers should select the student-authored status on the electronic submission form.
If your paper includes data from participants, it is important that authors give more attention to the ways in which their analysis/discussion is limited by their sample demographics. Papers that include data from participants should include concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitations sections in the discussion. Papers with data from participants that do not meet this requirement will not be paneled.
Students whose submission is based on a larger work (e.g., thesis or dissertation) should adhere to generally accepted standards for convention papers/research articles regarding length, organization, and style.
Please indicate if you are willing to present the paper in a Scholar to Scholar interactive format (poster session) by checking the appropriate agreement box. These highly interactive sessions encourage dialogue and discussion about your research results and teaching ideas. Presenters from across the Association are clustered together and share their ideas one-on-one with session attendees. Wandering Scholars will engage presenters and provide feedback on the projects.

Our Division offers a Top Paper Award. We also offer a Top Student Paper Award: The Dr. Rozell Duncan Award for Excellence in Research, which honors the memory and substantial contributions of Dr. Duncan to the Experiential Learning Division and to her students.

SPARK: Innovation in Practice Submission

SPARK submissions will withhold submitter names.

Submitters should select “Individual Paper” as the submission type when making a SPARK Submission.

In order to ensure that your Submission is correctly reviewed, the first word of the Submission Title MUST be “SPARK.”

This session, similar to GIFTS Discussion Circles, has been highly successful as it invites participants to share exemplary experiential learning practice innovations in a group setting where attendees can interact with the presenters. The concept is to “SPARK” new ideas for shaping experiential learning that might include specific projects, the development of a course with experiential learning at its core, innovations in Study Abroad experiences, techniques for reflection, suggestions for evaluating experiential projects, or tools and resources developed to support experiential learning (i.e, guides to working with community partners).

If accepted for inclusion in the SPARK Innovation in Practice Session, each presenter will give a 3-minute quick summation of their project/course. After the brief presentations, the audience will then visit presenters based on their interests/needs to learn more about specific projects.

Upload a completed copy of your (10-page maximum) SPARK submission, double-spaced, 12-point font. While you do not need to remove any identifying information about your university or program, submitters should not include their name in the supporting file document.

Your SPARK submission (10 pages maximum) must include the following in the uploaded supporting file document:

A two-to-three-page narrative that identifies the elements below that are relevant:

The form of experiential learning being employed
The goals of using experiential learning in this context
How this represents an innovation in practice (i.e. how the submission highlights an innovative project, pedagogical approach, partnership, related assignments, reflection practices, learning outcomes, assessment, etc.)
The participants –class, level of students, number of students
Any audience or community partners (if applicable)
The ways that reflection is used to connect service and learning or to advance the experiential learning cycle

Up to seven (7) pages of related material that help describe and highlight the project and helps reviewers assess the quality and scope of the project

Submitters will best determine what to include but you might consider such things as the course description, explanation of major assignments, reflection questions/prompts, examples of final projects, assessment data, reflections from students and/or community partners

Incomplete submissions will not be considered for the convention.

If accepted to the program, presenters agree to provide either electronic files or hard copies of a one-page handout to participants at the Spark session.

The Division offers a Top SPARK Award.

Play! Submission

Play! submissions will withhold submitter names.

Submitters should select “Individual Paper” as the submission type when making a Play! Submission. In order to ensure that your Submission is correctly reviewed, the first word of the Submission Title MUST be “Play!”

This session, similar to GIFTS Discussion Circles, invites participants to share exemplary experiential learning practice innovations in a group setting where attendees participate in games and activities that inspire learning through movement and engagement.

Play! sessions, new at the 2023 NCA convention, give everyone the opportunity to Play! John Dewey said, “Give the students something to do, not something to learn, and the doing is such of a nature as to demand thinking, learning naturally results.” In today’s world, the time to play and enjoy ourselves is necessary and sometimes elusive. This is also true in our classrooms. As educators, we forget that we can teach, learn and enjoy.

Presenters will provide an activity or series of activities that participants can engage in. Stations will be set up around the room so that all participants can play and learn. A focus on having fun while learning is critical to the format of the submission. The format of Play! is intentionally designed to get participants engaged and moving while learning about how to use experiential activities in the classroom. As participants arrive, they will work through the stations, getting to “Play!” and learn about how they might use these activities in their own classrooms.

If accepted for inclusion in the Play! session, each presenter will give a 3-5 minute quick summation and interaction with the attendees. Time will be called and participants will then visit another presenter based on their interests/needs to play again. Presenters are responsible for bringing whatever props or handouts they need to explain and demonstrate their activity.

Upload a completed copy of your (3 page maximum) Play! submission, double-spaced, 12-point font. While you do not need to remove any identifying information about your university or program, submitters should not include their name in the supporting file document.

Your Play! submission must include the following in the uploaded supporting file document:

A one- to two-page narrative that identifies the elements below that are relevant:

The name of the activity or game;
Goals of using experiential learning in this context;
How to utilize the game or activity in a course. Provide details that give the reader a good sense of what the game or activity is, how it is used and other ways it could be used as applicable;
The participants –class, level of students, number of students; and
The ways that reflection is used to connect the activity to the course concepts to advance the experiential learning cycle.

You can provide up to three (3) pages of related material that help describe and highlight the activity and how it might be used in other communication courses.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered for the convention.

If accepted to the program, presenters agree to provide either electronic files or hard copies of a one-page handout to participants at the Play! session.

Paper Sessions

Paper sessions, which feature three to five presenters and a chair are reviewed with identifying information included and should provide the following information in an uploaded document:

The title of the session
A 50–75 word description
If applicable, a suggestion of another NCA division that may be interested in co-sponsoring this session
A chair who will moderate the session
The title, brief abstract (50 words) and author(s) information for each paper presentation
A rationale of the session’s importance, purpose, and theme

* Please note that Paper Sessions should include a diversity of scholars and all session members should NOT be from the same college or university. Further, no participant in a session will have multiple roles (such as chair and presenter). If you fail to adhere to this the panel will not be accepted.

Like individual paper submissions, if your paper in a paper session includes data from participants, it is important that authors give more attention to the ways in which their analysis/discussion is limited by their sample demographics. Papers that include data from participants should include concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection must go beyond the limitations sections in the discussion. Papers with data from participants that do not meet this requirement will not be paneled.

Whether advancing your own scholarship, looking for connections between your interests and those of other scholars, seeking new ideas for your own research and teaching, or reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, we look forward to your participation!

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Experiential Learning in Communication Division programming, please contact:

Dr. Jennifer Becker

Experiential Learning in Communication Division Planner

jennifer.becker@utsa.edu, 205-792-7570

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Family Communication Division

The Family Communication Division invites you to submit individual papers, paper sessions, extended abstracts (work in progress), and panel discussions addressing theory, research, community engagement, and/or pedagogy relevant to family communication in national and international contexts. We encourage innovative and cross-disciplinary submissions.

The Division welcomes scholarship from diverse (meta)theoretical and methodological approaches. We value and expect scholarship that embraces the diversity of families, includes marginalized identities and underrepresented groups, and acknowledges the effects of author positionality. We encourage members to embrace the 2025 NCA Convention theme (“Communicate to Elevate”) in creative ways.

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

All paper and panel proposal submissions must be completed electronically through Convention Central (please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” instructions: http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).
Student-authored papers are welcome! Please specify student and/or debut papers by marking them as “student” and/or “debut” in the upper right corner of the first page of the manuscript. ”Student papers” are those authored exclusively by undergraduate and/or graduate students; “debut papers” are authored exclusively by those who are submitting to NCA for the first time. Please identify student papers by checking the appropriate box in Convention Central, as those papers will be considered for the top student paper award.
Requests for any audiovisual needs must be requested at the time of submission. Note that these requests may not be able to be granted.
Please designate paper presenters carefully. These designations, in part, determine when a paper can be paneled, so designating too many presenters can make it difficult to schedule.

SPECIFIC SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Below are guidelines for submitting (1) individual papers, (2) paper sessions, (3) panel discussions, and (4) research in progress:

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

Individual Papers are original papers written by an author or authors, submitted directly by the author(s), reviewed individually, and, if accepted, presented with other individual papers in a panel. Individual papers must be original material that has not been published or accepted for publication at the time of submission and has not been presented publicly at a scholarly conference.

Please submit a single anonymous document including:

A title, but not a title page or any other author-identifying information to protect the anonymous peer review process.
1. Please do not upload a separate document with author information—this gets added to the document sent to reviewers and means it is no longer anonymous.
2. Make sure that university and location information is removed from the method section.
An abstract of 250 words or fewer.
A maximum of 30 pages of text, exclusive of references, tables, and figures.
Double-spaced text throughout in 12-point, Times New Roman font.

A note on presentation formats:

Individual papers may also be considered for Scholar-to-Scholar sessions. In these sessions, scholars present their work through interactive media formats such as videos, slide shows, experiential activities, or posters. To be considered for a Scholar-to-Scholar session, please check the appropriate box on the submission form in Convention Central. Find more information about Scholar to Scholar sessions here:
https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library/scholar-scholar-faqs-and-tips.
Individual papers may also be considered for paneling on blitz/high-density or roundtable sessions. To opt out of this consideration, please specify “traditional presentation only” in the upper right corner of the first page of the manuscript.

PAPER SESSIONS

Paper Sessions are a group of papers submitted as a preconceived session centered on a common theme. Papers are reviewed collectively and accepted as a group.

Please submit a single document including:

A title for the entire session.
A session description (maximum length: 75 words).
A rationale for the session (maximum length: 1000 words), justifying the significance and theme of the session. For sessions related to the conference theme, include the connection to the theme in the rationale.
A statement confirming that each presenter has committed to attend and participate.
For each paper, include: a title, a short description (of 75 words or fewer to be included in the NCA online program), authors, and their affiliations.

Note: The Division encourages paper sessions to include authors who represent multiple institutional affiliations. Each person should not serve in more than one role in a session.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Panel Discussions involve a group of panelists who discuss a specific topic without formal paper presentations. 

Please submit a single document including:

A title for the entire panel.
A list of presenters/authors and their affiliations. 
A short description of the panel (maximum length: 75 words) to be included in the NCA program.
A rationale for the panel (maximum length: 1000 words), justifying the significance and theme of the panel. For panels related to the conference theme, include the connection to the theme in the rationale.
A statement confirming that each presenter has committed to attend and participate.

Note: The Division encourages panel discussions to include authors who represent multiple institutional affiliations. Each person should not serve in more than one role in a session.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS (Extended Abstract)

This type of submission is designed for projects that are fully conceptualized but prior to or in the early stages of analysis/interpretation/critique/data collection so that we may engage in discussions that support the development of exceptional research.

Submissions should be 500-700 words (excluding title, keywords, and references) and provide evidence of a fully rationalized research idea.
Authors should be prepared to read the submissions of the other presenters before the session to cultivate a productive discussion during the session itself (facilitated by a chair).
Please use the “Extended Abstract” option for Research in Progress submissions.

AWARD CALLS FORTHCOMING

Calls for nominations for division awards are forthcoming and will be disseminated via newsletter and social media (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncafamilycommunication). Division awards include:

Kathleen M. Galvin Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Award
Sandra Petronio Dissertation Excellence Award
Distinguished Article Award
Dawn O. Braithwaite Distinguished Book Award
Leslie A. Baxter Early Career Award

RESOURCES

Be sure to visit the Convention Resource Library to find resources and guides to the submission process (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library).

Reminder About Professional Standards

Please review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submitting (https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf).

Questions?

Please contact the Family Communication Division Program Planner with questions or concerns:

Amanda Holman
Creighton University
Department of Communication Studies
amandaholman@creighton.edu

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Feminist and Gender Studies Division

The Feminist and Gender Studies Division is interested in themes related to feminist and gender studies in communication. We encourage and support research, action, and understandings of the profession that address intersections of power, agency, representation, and voice, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, technology, nationality, and transnationalism. The division also welcomes work that challenges existing theoretical paradigms that have excluded the voices of marginalized experiences, especially those that intersect with gender and sexuality in myriad contexts globally.

This year’s convention theme is “Communicate to Elevate,” which speaks to concerns about amplifying marginalized voices and empowering through knowledge sharing. Focusing on a feminist ethics of care, the division’s call highlights critical interventions addressing the historical, local, and contextual factors shaping knowledge production. It simultaneously invites us to advance collective understanding and communication practices rooted in empathy, prioritizing the needs of gendered bodies, children, disabled individuals, and caregivers. Feminist and gender studies scholarship has always advocated for effective communication strategies that acknowledges and addresses intersectional identities, making interactions more inclusive and understanding. As such, this call encourages communicative strategies that give space to these intersectional and/or marginalized voices, dismantling hierarchies that silence or devalue them. The division invites submissions that foster participatory dialogues where learning is co-constructed, valuing lived experiences alongside theoretical knowledge. Thus, submissions that emphasize inclusive dialogue, critical awareness, and transformative interactions aligned with the theme “Communicate to Elevate” are highly encouraged. These contributions should serve as frameworks to actively advance feminist and gender studies agendas, bridging theory and practice.

Innovative scholarship outlining specific strategies to foster, cultivate, engage, and deepen ongoing dialogue among feminists is especially appreciated. Research that addresses the intersection of various strands of national and transnational feminisms, the linked discourses of race-class-ethnicity-gender-sexuality, embodied feminist research and activism, feminist politics and scholarship, feminist historical movements and their significance to contemporary politics and perspectives, and interdisciplinarity is strongly recommended.

While participants are encouraged to consider the 2025 theme Communicate to Elevate, all submissions relating to feminism(s), Black feminism(s), womanism(s), women’s studies, transnational feminism(s), non-Western feminism(s), women of color feminism(s), trans feminism(s), and queer feminism(s), among others, are welcome. Feminist perspectives on masculinities and comparative research on gender and sexuality across communication contexts are also encouraged.

For panels and sessions that include individual participants’ names, we encourage contributors to include their gender pronouns along with their affiliations.

The Division solicits for submission:

Individual Papers
Paper Sessions
Panel Discussions
Performance Sessions

Additional details about submissions in each format is included below:

The Feminist and Gender Studies Division is especially interested in scholarship that is intersectional; thus, we will continue to partner with other divisions and caucuses to co-sponsor a wider variety of sessions. Please indicate in your submission if your panel discussion, paper session proposal, or performance session aligns with one or more of the following divisions and caucuses:

Activism and Social Justice Division

African American Communication & Culture Division

American Studies Division

Asian Pacific American Communication Studies Division and Caucus

Black Caucus

Disability Issues Caucus

Communication and Military Division

Critical and Cultural Studies Division

Caucus on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Concerns

Environmental Communication Division

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Studies Division

Health Communication Division

Indigenous Caucus

International and Intercultural Communication Division

Latina/o Communication Studies Division

La Raza Caucus

Performance Studies Division

Women’s Caucus

Submissions must be made through NCA Convention Central.

All submissions must be completed via the NCA Convention Central
Please observe NCA guidelines and do not submit the same submission to more than one division.
Sessions must include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s).
A single person should not serve more than one role on a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter).
Participants are encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Requests for specific AV equipment must be submitted online at the time of submission.

Individual Papers

No information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper file. To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper (including title page and headers) and the document’s embedded properties before uploading the document. Author information is collected elsewhere in the system.
Include both a TITLE and 250-word ABSTRACT of the paper on the cover sheet.
The maximum paper length is 30 double-spaced pages including front matter, back matter, and notes. Participants are reminded that the time limit for presentation for most papers at the convention is 12-15 minutes.
Please follow an appropriate scholarly style guide (e.g., MLA, Chicago, or APA)
Submissions must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.

Scholar-to-Scholar Consideration: Please indicate if you are willing to present in a Scholar-to-Scholar session by checking the appropriate electronic agreement box. Similar to an interactive poster session, NCA’s “Scholar-to-Scholar” sessions highlight interactive forms of presentation that lend themselves well to visual modes of presentation and promote one-on-one engagement between presenters and audience members.

Top Paper Recognition: The Division recognizes the top competitively submitted paper and the top student-authored paper submitted competitively. Students who are currently enrolled at an academic institution and who wish to be considered for the top student paper award should identify themselves as “student” when making their submission by clicking the appropriate box on the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

The paper session format encourages a thoughtful coordination of multiple papers around a central topic of interest to the FGSD. Typically, paper sessions should include at least four papers in addition to a chair and respondent. Due to the nature of paper sessions, the participants are not anonymous to the reviewing pool. Sessions must include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). A single person should not serve more than one role on a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter).

Paper Session Proposals must include:

Paper session title.
Session description of no more than 75 words.
A rationale of no more than 250 words for the session. This statement should include an overall rationale for the significance of the session (including, when appropriate, a brief overview of relevant scholarship).
A session chair must be included and should be identified along with their affiliation. If the session will include a respondent, also identify this person and their affiliation.
The title and abstract for each paper to be presented along with each author’s affiliation.

Note: If the session is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization please, include that information in the special requests box. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussion formats encourage interaction among panelists and with audience members around a central topic of interest to the FGSD. No papers are presented during a panel discussion. Due to the nature of panel discussions, the participants are not anonymous to the reviewing pool. Sessions must include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). A single person should not serve more than one role on a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter).

Panel discussions must include:

Panel discussion title.
Session description of no more than 75 words.
A rationale of no more than 250 words for the panel. This statement should include an overall rationale for the significance of the panel (including, when appropriate, a brief overview of relevant scholarship and rationale for the appropriateness of the participants for the topic).
If this panel will be guided primarily by a series of questions/ prompts suitable to a roundtable discussion, please include a representative list of those questions as part of your proposal.
The session chair must be identified along with their affiliation.
Include each participant’s name and affiliation, and information about each participant that demonstrates their expertise as a panelist and the general scope of what they bring to the panel discussion.

Performance Sessions

The performance session format encourages multiple performances that engage a central topic of interest to the FGSD. Due to the nature of performance sessions, the author(s) are not anonymous to the reviewing pool. Sessions must include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). A single person should not serve more than one role on a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter).

Performance sessions must include:

Performance session title.
Session description of no more than 75 words.
A rationale of no more than 250 words for the session. This statement should include an overall rationale for the significance of the session (including, when appropriate, a brief overview of relevant scholarship).
A session chair must be included and should be identified along with their affiliation. If the session will include a respondent, also identify this person and their affiliation.
The title, description, and brief abstract for each performance should be included along with each performer’s name and affiliation.

Notes: If the session is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization please, include that information in the special requests box. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants (URL:https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf) prior to submission.

Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instruction on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library (URL: https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library/scholar-scholar-faqs-and-tips).

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Feminist and Gender Studies programming, please contact:

Debipreeta Rahut (she/her)

Feminist and Gender Studies Division Program Planner

drahut@bgsu.edu

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Freedom of Expression Division

The Freedom of Expression division of the National Communication Association promotes the research and study of free expression and the First Amendment. The division provides an academic home for scholars interested in legal, ethical, rhetorical, historical, and/or other approaches to the study and application of free expression in society. The division welcomes investigation, analysis and dialogue among communication scholars concerned with issues pertaining to free expression. The division acknowledges achievements in scholarly excellence by awarding the Robert M. O’Neill Top Paper Award as well as a Top Student Paper Award. The division collaborates with and advocates for the journal Communication and Democracy, a peer-reviewed NCA journal that publishes original essays which make a significant contribution to theory and/or policy on all aspects of free speech. If you would like to join the Freedom of Expression listserv for announcements, discussion and collaboration, please contact the program planner or any division officers.

The Freedom of Expression Division welcomes submissions that reflect the 2025 NCA convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” and encourages submitters to tackle topics and engage in meaningful work about issues relating to freedom of expression. Please make sure your submissions are institutionally diverse and do not have participants fulfilling more than one role in a panel. We encourage individual papers, panel discussions, or paper sessions that explore scholarly and pedagogical issues surrounding historical and/or contemporary free speech issues (examples include, but are not limited to, the evolution of judicial opinions on various areas of the First Amendment, the influence of philosophical works on judicial thinking, the regulation of expressive opportunities within particular kinds of physical and virtual spaces, issues/cases pertaining to academic freedom, the impact of specific cases/decisions/dissents on public thought and policy, and/or current cultural examples that challenge First Amendment law or test free speech theories/boundaries). We look forward to creative proposals that offer intellectually engaging and challenging opportunities for audiences both within and beyond our academic communities.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

In order to avoid unnecessary problems with submission and review, please carefully read the following guidelines:

Papers and sessions must be submitted electronically to NCA Convention Central. Compressed or Zip files will not be accepted. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).

Each submission should be made to one unit only. Only one submission should be made to this division.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.

SUBMITTING AN INDIVIDUAL PAPER

Submitted papers should include:
A. Title of the paper
B. Minimum of one keyword
C. 250-500 word abstract/description
D. Author(s) information, including affiliation
E. 1000-6000 words of main text uploaded as supporting file
F. Please identify student submissions on the electronic form

Note: No information identifying the author may appear in the abstract of your paper or your uploaded paper file.

SUBMITTING A PANEL DISCUSSION

Submissions for a “roundtable” panel discussion should include:
A. Title for the panel
B. Minimum of one keyword
C. Panel description (75 words maximum) for the online convention program
D. Name and affiliation of chair and all panel discussants
E. Panel rationale (500 words maximum) adequately justifying the significance and theme of the panel and its fit with the division

SUBMITTING A PAPER SESSION

Submissions for a paper session should include:

Title for the paper session
B. Minimum of one keyword
C. Paper session description (75 words maximum) for the online convention program
D. Paper session rationale (500 words maximum) adequately justifying the significance and theme significance of the session and its fit with the division
E. Name and affiliation of chair and all individual paper presenters
F. Titles and abstracts (250 words maximum) for each individual paper

AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT

Participants are encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Requests for specific equipment must be submitted online and meet the same submission deadlines for paper and panel proposals.

Program Planner:
Ben Medeiros, State University of New York at Plattsburgh

Email: bmede001@plattsburgh.edu

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Game Studies Division

The purpose of the Game Studies Division is to promote scholarship that highlights communicative behavior in video games, simulations, virtual environments, analog games, and massive online worlds. Members are concerned with video game use and exposure effects, motivations for playing, games as a social laboratory, serious games, and the rhetorical, theoretical, critical, and feminist dimensions of this widely popular but still controversial technology.

The Game Studies Division encourages creative submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to video or analog game-related issues as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration between attendees. Submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” are also highly encouraged.

For 2025, The Game Studies Division will accept four types of submissions: Individual Papers, Extended Abstracts, Panel Discussions, and Performance Sessions. While some sessions will consist of traditional paper presentation sessions, Individual Papers and Extended Abstracts might also be programmed into high-density sessions in which 8 to 10 papers will be showcased in five-minute presentations (this will be determined based on number of submissions and slots available). Only Individual Papers will be eligible for Top Paper awards. Panel Discussions will be solicited as complete proposals that include four to six scholars about a topic of specific interest to Game Studies scholarship; panels will be chaired and moderated by the Division’s program planner. Performance Sessions are for play tests, play sessions, or other interactive activities that create opportunities for the expansion of game studies scholarship and/or connect to the conference theme. While the Game Studies Division accepts Panel Discussion and Performance Session submissions, there is no guarantee that the division will program these submissions.

Please refer to the requirements, below, when preparing your submission. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central and align with our submission requirements.

For answers to common submission questions, please refer to the “Convention Submission Process” Instructions provided in the Convention Library.

Individual Paper Requirements

Submissions must include a double-spaced document with 1″ margins, written with Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font.
A 30-page limit will be strictly enforced and it includes all paper elements, including the paper body, references, tables, and figures (papers do not need a title page or abstract, as these details are uploaded directly into the Convention Central platform).
Submission of an Individual Paper requires that at least one author agrees to be a potential reviewer for this year’s Game Studies Division submissions. Failure to review when called merits disqualification of the submission. Student submitters will be placed at a lower priority for being chosen to review. To sign up to be a reviewer, fill out this short form.
The Game Studies Division strives to improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion through its scholarship. As part of that mission, all submissions are required to include a one or two sentence statement explaining how their citations include historically marginalized voices or subject matter. “I don’t know” is an acceptable statement, and submissions will not be penalized or benefited from this statement. The statement should be placed at the top of the document following the words “Citation Statement.”

Example Statement From 2022:
Citation Statement: “As this submission focuses on a game built by indigenous creators, and, according to Coyote & Crow LLC, ‘raising the voices of women and marginalized people are at the core of our principles’ (2022), I privilege the works of historically marginalized people, with a focus on indigenous, Deaf, or disabled communication scholars. Women scholars also feature heavily in the references below.”

Papers must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous submission are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Submission should include title, paper description, keywords, and AV requests. NOTE: NCA provides the opportunity for some papers to be recommended to their Scholar to Scholar (poster) session, and submitters should indicate their willingness to present in Scholar to Scholar when prompted in the system. Papers accepted as Scholar to Scholar (poster) sessions will be programmed by the NCA organizers for that program, rather than the Game Studies Division.
Student paper submissions must select “yes” to the question asking if the submission is a student paper.

The Game Studies Division will recognize the Top Papers (student and faculty) submitted to the division on a special paper session.

Extended Abstract Requirements

Submissions must include a double-spaced document with 1″ margins, written with Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font.
Submissions must be no more than 2,500 words. The 2,500-word limit will be strictly enforced and it includes all paper elements, including the paper body, references, tables and figures (papers do not need a title page or abstract, as these details are uploaded directly into the Convention Central platform). Submissions must detail the current stage of the project and significance of the work.
Submission of an Extended Abstract requires that at least one author agrees to be a potential reviewer for this year’s Game Studies Division submissions. Failure to review when called merits disqualification of the submission. Student submitters will be placed at a lower priority for being chosen to review. To sign up to be a reviewer, fill out this short form.
The Game Studies Division strives to improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion through its scholarship. As part of that mission, all submissions are required to include a one or two sentence statement explaining how their citations include historically marginalized voices or subject matter. “I don’t know” is an acceptable statement, and submissions will not be penalized or benefited from this statement. The statement should be placed at the top of the document following the words “Citation Statement.”

Example Statement From 2022:
Citation Statement: “As this submission focuses on a game built by indigenous creators, and, according to Coyote & Crow LLC, ‘raising the voices of women and marginalized people are at the core of our principles’ (About 2022), I privilege the works of historically marginalized people, with a focus on indigenous, Deaf, or disabled communication scholars. Women scholars also feature heavily in the references below.”

Extended Abstracts must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous submission are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Submission should include the title, paper description, keywords, and AV requests.
Student extended abstract submissions must select “yes” to the question asking if the submission is a student paper.

Extended abstracts will not be considered for Top Paper awards in the Game Studies Division.

Panel Discussion Requirements

Submissions must include a panel title, the name, contact information, institutional affiliations of all proposed panelists, a panel description (analogous to an abstract, approximately 100 words), and a detailed rationale (for peer evaluation, approximately 1500 words). This information should be entered directly into the Convention Central platform: please do not upload any documents. Panels should include the Game Studies Division program planner as the panel chair, although a co-chair can also be named. Four to six panelists are recommended, and special consideration will be given to panels that are diverse with respect to institutional affiliation.

Performance Session Requirements

Submissions must include a session title, the name, contact information, and institutional affiliations of all proposed session runners, a session description (analogous to an abstract, approximately 100 words, including whether this session is a play test or play session), a detailed rationale (for peer evaluation, approximately 1500 words), and a link to the game or to a video of the game being played, if available. If the activity is an original creation of the presenters then a 200-word, single spaced description of the game’s format and the intended player experience is also acceptable. This information should be entered directly into the Convention Central platform: please do not upload any documents. Special consideration will be given to sessions that include evidence of how the session creates opportunities for the expansion of game studies scholarship and/or connects to the conference theme.

All submissions will be peer reviewed: individual paper and extended abstract submissions will be reviewed anonymously while panel submissions will include all panelists’ identifying information.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants, available in the Convention Resources Library prior to submission.

Questions?

Specific questions can be directed to the division Program Planner, using the contact information below:

Megan Condis
Texas Tech University
Vice-Chair, Game Studies Division
megan.condis@ttu.edu

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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Studies Division

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (GLBTQ) Communication Studies Division invites submissions for NCA’s 111th Annual Convention. The theme for the convention is “Communicate to Elevate.” Various types of submissions will be considered this year, including: (1) individual papers, (2) paper sessions, (3) panel discussions, (4) performance sessions, and (5) research in progress.

“Communicate to Elevate” comes at a time when the voices and experiences of GLBTQ people need greater attention. Anti-GLBTQ bills continue to be introduced and passed at the state and federal level in the United States of America, and GLBTQ people face oppression and discrimination worldwide. While it is easy to focus on the continued threats to the GLBTQ community, expressions of queer joy also remind us of the creativity and resilience of GLBTQ people. The division seeks submissions that raise up GLBTQ voices and show our support for those who cannot speak.

The GLBTQ Communication Studies Division would like to invite submissions that engage the conference theme both nationally and internationally. In doing so, we encourage you to consider how the intersections of our identities (race, ability, gender, citizenship, class, religion, sexuality) help us think through the transformative possibilities of “Communicate to Elevate” for queer and trans people.

Because “Communicate to Elevate” encompasses a variety of disciplinary perspectives, the GLBTQ Communication Studies Division is especially welcoming of submissions that spark dialogue between other units through innovative programming which considers queerness and transness as essential to the study of communication. We continue our interest in papers that center transnationality and decoloniality in its theorization of queerness and trans. The division aims to make connections with other divisions and/or caucuses to include co-sponsored panels. Please indicate in your submission if your proposal aligns with one or more of the following divisions or caucuses:

International and Intercultural Communication Division
Feminist and Gender Studies Division
Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division
African American Communication & Culture Division
Disabilities Issues Caucus
Critical and Cultural Studies Division
Performance Studies Division
Activism and Social Justice Division
American Studies Division
Family Communication Division
Interpersonal Communication Studies Division
Environmental Communication Division
Indigenous Caucus
Caucus on LGBTQ Concerns
Black Caucus
La Raza Caucus
Women’s Caucus
Asian Pacific American Caucus & Studies Division

The GLBTQ Communication Studies Division will accept the following submission types: (1) individual papers, (2) paper sessions, (3) panel discussions, (4) performance sessions, and (5) research in progress. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Paper submissions should:

be complete research papers (not only an abstract)
include a title and a description of no more than 300 words;
identify all authors(s);
list three keywords;
upload a copy of the paper, not to exceed 30 pages (12-point font), including notes references, figures, and/or tables;
not identify the author(s) anywhere in the description or the uploaded essay (student papers should be designated as “student authored” in the electronic submission process); and, indicate whether or not the author(s) would be willing to present in the Scholar to Scholar (S2S) sessions by checking the appropriate agreement box.
Student and student debut papers should be clearly marked in the upper right corner of the uploaded document.

Paper Session proposals should:

provide a title for the session;
craft a session description for the convention program (less than 75 words);
enter a session chair (required) and respondent (optional);
include the title, description (less than 500 words), and author(s) for each paper presentation;
list three keywords; and,
provide a rationale for the session (less than 1000 words).

Panel Discussion proposals should:

provide a title for the panel discussion;
craft a session description for the convention program (less than 75 words);
enter a list of presenters and a session chair (required) and respondent (optional); and,
provide a rationale for the panel or performance, including each discussant’s qualifications to address the proposed topics (less than 1000 words).

Performance Session proposals should:

provide a title for the session;
craft a session description for the convention program (less than 75 words);
enter a session chair (required) and respondent (optional);
include the title, description (less than 500 words), and performer(s) for each performance; and,
provide a rationale for the session (less than 1000 words);
please note that each submission should be made to one unit only. Also, ALL AV (audio/visual) requests must be made at the time of submission.

Research in Progress submission should:

be abstracts of a research project that is fully conceptualized but in the early stages of (or prior to) analysis/interpretation/critique/data collection/submission;
include a title;
identify all authors(s);
list three keywords;
be 500-700 words (excluding title, keywords, and references) and provide evidence of a fully rationalized research idea;
authors should be prepared to read the submissions of the other presenters before the session in order to cultivate a productive dialogue during the session itself (facilitated by a chair)
please use the “Extended Abstract” option for research in progress submissions.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

If you have any questions about the submission process, please contact the unit planner, Dr. Lucy J. Miller (West Chester University) at LMiller2@wcupa.edu.

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Group Communication Division

The Group Communication Division examines group and intergroup communication across a variety of contexts. The Division conceives of group communication broadly and welcomes submissions that focus on diverse group and intergroup contexts including, but not limited to, organizational work teams; crisis management teams; family, religious, educational, and recreational activities; non-profit groups; sports teams; student groups; activist and social movements; and online and virtual environments. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: decision-making, information sharing, relational communication, language and argument, intergroup relations, conflict, collaboration, competition, coordination, identity, leadership, participation, facilitation, technology, and social networks.

The division welcomes papers and proposals from a wide range of research methodologies. We encourage the study of group communication across areas of the discipline and welcome proposals for panels that may be co-sponsored with another NCA unit. We also encourage papers that align with the 2025 NCA conference theme: Communicate to Elevate.

The Group Communication Division invites submission of competitive individual papers, extended abstracts, paper sessions, and panel discussions in topics that have general interest to the membership of the Division. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

In order to avoid unnecessary problems with the submission and review process, please carefully follow these guidelines:

Completed papers (or extended abstracts), paper sessions, and panel discussions must be submitted electronically through NCA Convention Central. NCA Convention Central is linked from the main NCA webpage at www.natcom.org/convention.
Each submission should be made to only one unit.
All submissions should provide a list of keywords. Please also include keywords about methodology.

Guidelines for completed Individual Papers and Extended Abstracts

Please complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description, author(s), and keywords.
Upload a copy of your manuscript. Before uploading your submission, remove title pages and any other material that identifies the author(s).
Clearly identify whether your paper is an extended abstract submission by using the phrase “Extended Abstract:” in the title on the first page of your uploaded manuscript. Additionally, if all authors on a paper are students, please identify the paper as such using the label “Student Authored Paper:” in the title on the first page of your submission as well as indicating it on the electronic submission form in NCA Convention Central. To use this label all authors must be students.

Manuscript format:

Complete papers should be a maximum of 25 pages double-spaced with 12 pt. font. This excludes title page, references, figures, and tables. Please use APA format for referencing.
Extended abstracts should be between 5 and 12 pages double-spaced with 12 pt. font. This excludes title page, references, figures, and tables. Please use APA format for referencing.

Guidelines for Paper Session Submission

A paper session submission is a submission that includes 3 or 4 papers authored around a similar theme. Paper session submissions are not blind-reviewed. The reviewers will see the names of the presenters and participants. These sessions are reviewed based on overall quality, interest to the Group Communication Division, relevance of the topic to the division, innovativeness, and contribution.

Enter the session title and a short description of the session for the online program.
Enter Chair (required) and Respondent (optional).
Enter titles, descriptions, and author(s) information for each paper to be presented. This section should provide the titles for each paper and explain its purpose and how it contributes to the general theme of the session.
Enter keywords.
Enter session rationale explaining why this paper session should be of interest to the Group Communication Division and what contributions it makes to group communication theory, research, practice and/or pedagogy.

Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, or presenter) in a submission.

Guidelines for Panel Discussion Submissions

A panel submission is a format that engages a group of panelists in a formal, interactive discussion about a topic related to group communication theory, research, practice, and/or pedagogy.

Panel session submissions are not blind-reviewed. The reviewers will see the names of the presenters, participants, and organizers. These sessions are reviewed based on overall quality, interest to the Group Communication Division, relevance of the topic to the division, innovativeness, and overall contribution to understanding of group communication. Innovative panel discussion topics and formats that encourage audience interaction are especially welcome.

Enter the session title and a short description of the session for the online program
Enter Chair (required) and Respondent (optional).
Enter all presenters.
Enter keywords.
Enter session rationale explaining why this panel discussion should be of interest for the Group Communication Division and what contributions it makes to group communication theory, research, practice and/or pedagogy.

Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Final Considerations

Given our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, papers that include data from participants must include a concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and must speak in theoretically rich ways about the ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached, as per criterion of sample representativeness. This reflection should go beyond the limitations sections in the discussion.
Please note that individuals should not be the lead authors for more than one submission in the Group Communication Division.
The same individual paper cannot be submitted to more than one division.
Awards are made to top papers and top student papers. Extended abstracts are not eligible for top paper consideration.
A/V requests (e.g. LCD projector) should be made at the time of your submission.
If you have any questions, please contact the program planner.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Group Communication Division programming, please contact:

Cameron Piercy

Group Communication Division Vice Chair and 2025 Program Planner

cpiercy@ku.edu

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Health Communication Division

The Health Communication Division invites submissions related to the practice, critique, theory, research, and teaching of health communication. We welcome a variety of theoretical, empirical, and methodological approaches in several formats, including Extended Abstracts for Research in Progress (Collaboration Spaces), Individual Papers, and Panel Discussions.

This year, NCA First Vice President Dr. Tina Harris encourages submitters to consider the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate. ” The theme aims to help others realize their potential and conjures up a spirit of excitement about and innovation around scholarship.

We invite the following types of submissions:

Research in Progress (Collaboration Spaces)
Papers
1. Traditional Paper
2. Data Blitz
Panels
1. Traditional Panels
2. Spotlight Panels

Submissions must observe NCA submission guidelines, as well as the specific requirements that follow. Student-only submissions (i.e., all authors are students) are eligible for the Top Student Paper Award, and student-led submissions (i.e., student is first author, faculty member is co-author) are eligible for the Top Paper Awards. All submitters will also be expected to review.

Research in Progress (Collaboration Spaces) Submission Requirements
This type of submission is designed for projects that are fully conceptualized but prior to or in the early stages of analysis/interpretation/critique/data collection so that we may engage in discussions that support the development of exceptional research.

Submissions should be 500-700 words (excluding title, keywords, and references) and provide evidence of a fully rationalized research idea.
Authors should be prepared to read the submissions of the other presenters before the session in order to cultivate a productive discussion during the session itself (facilitated by a chair).
Please use the “Extended Abstract” option for Research in Progress (Collaboration Spaces) submissions.

Individual Paper Submission Requirements
Competitive individual papers will be accepted for presentation in traditional sessions or in Data Blitz sessions. In the Data Blitz presentation, each presenter will present study results for 3–4 minutes. Half of the session will be devoted to presentations and half to conversations with presenters.

Only complete papers will be considered. Papers should be no longer than 25 double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins and 12-point font (abstract, references, tables, and figures are not included in the 25-page limit). Papers must conform to APA 7th Edition guidelines and be uploaded as a pdf.
All identifying author(s) information (names, institutions, hidden document properties) must be removed from the submission. If this requirement is not met, submissions will not be sent out for review.
Specify if all authors are student authors on the electronic submission.
Specify if you would like your paper to be considered for the Data Blitz format on the title page.

Panel Discussion Submission Requirements
Our division welcomes submissions of panel discussions. These can take the form of a discussion panel of scholars or practitioners or a combination of both. We welcome the following types of panel submissions:

Panels tied to key area(s) of focus in health communication and/or to the conference theme
Spotlight Panels (mention this is the panel title when you submit) that:
1. engage with health communication as it relates to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (e.g., mentoring/survival for those at the margins of the discipline).
2. combine scholars from multiple and diverse university structures to discuss teaching health communication.
3. showcase ways in which health is performed in everyday lives, locally and globally.
4. engage with topics that bridge issues of health across multiple NCA units (e.g., a panel on disparities for military-affiliated communities, which could be co-sponsored with the Communication and Military and Feminist and Gender Studies Division).

Please use the following guidelines for panel discussion submissions:

Include a title, chair, 75-word abbreviated abstract of the panel, AV requests, and rationale for a spotlight panel (500-word maximum) or a title and a 250-word (maximum) abstract of each paper for a traditional panel.
Please include the names and affiliations of presenters. Panels should include at least five presenters, and presenters should be affiliated with at least three different institutions. A single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair/facilitator, presenter).
Submitters also have the option to upload supporting documents that include more details about the panel participants (e.g., short bios of the panelists).
Spotlight panel submissions should include a panel facilitator who will present themes and questions from the presentations to engage panel participants and the audience.

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Human Communication and Technology Division

The Human Communication & Technology Division (HCTD) of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, from November 20-23, 2025.

The HCTD promotes research, theory, pedagogy, and other applications regarding the implications of technologically mediated communication for relationships, communities, classrooms, organizations, and other social contexts. Our members employ diverse methodological approaches and are concerned with a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to): computer-mediated communication, social media, online dating, (micro)blogging, virtual communities, gaming, mobile technologies, text messaging, virtual collaboration, information literacy, as well as international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary perspectives related to human communication and technology. The tie that binds research presented within the HCTD is an explicit focus on, and core placement of, questions pertinent to technologically mediated communication. The HCTD also welcomes submissions that speak to the 2025 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.”

The HCTD will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Paper Requirements

Individual paper submissions will be competitively evaluated. Please complete the required electronic submission fields including title, abstract, author(s), keywords. Please indicate whether your submission is a student paper (i.e., all of the authors are students). Additionally, please indicate whether you want your paper to be considered for Scholar-to-Scholar presentation. Papers must (a) be prepared for blind review, removing any identifying information, (b) be no more than 8,000 words in length (excluding references, tables, and figures), and (c) be prepared using 7th Edition APA style. Instructions on how to prepare a blind copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Papers that include data from participants are encouraged to include a concrete reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) in a theoretically rich way within the discussion of the paper, including ways in which sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions being reached. The Top Paper and the Top Student Paper will be presented at respective Top Paper and Top Student Paper panels and will be recognized at the HCTD’s business meeting. The Top Student Paper author(s) will also receive a cash award.

Paper Sessions

Submissions that involve a thematic collection of papers will be competitively evaluated. Paper sessions must include (a) a title and description for the overall session; (b) a session chair (required) and respondent (optional); (c) titles, description (maximum 500 words), and authorship information for each paper involved in the session; and (d) a rationale for the overall proposed session submission that outlines the importance of the session (maximum 500 words). Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions that involve a group of panelists discussing a specific topic will be competitively evaluated. No papers are presented in a panel discussion. Panel discussions must include (a) a specific overall title for the panel discussion, (b) a description for the convention program (maximum 100 words), (c) a list of panelists and a session chair, and (d) a rationale for the overall proposed submission that outlines the importance of the panel discussion (maximum 500 words). Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions to the Human Communication & Technology Division Vice Chair & Program Planner:

Samantha F. Quinn, PhD

SUNY Oswego

Samantha.quinn@oswego.edu

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Instructional Development Division

The purpose of the Instructional Development Division (IDD) is to explore how practices of communication intersect with practices of teaching and learning at various stages in learners’ lives. Members seek to use instructional settings (e.g., Sprague, 2002) as a vehicle for understanding communication processes, behaviors, and outcomes. Simultaneously, division members seek to use scholarly dialogue about communication to better understand fundamental processes involved in teaching and learning.

IDD invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention of the National Communication Association. We encourage submissions that reflect or enhance the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” NCA 2nd Vice President Dr. Tina M. Harris highlights two specific meanings related to this theme. First, Communicate to Elevate portrays “our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own.” This means making a commitment to exchange knowledge and wisdom, create a space where others can thrive, and help others regardless of our personal successes or achievements. Second, Communicate to Elevate describes “a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating.” We can use the convention as an opportunity to showcase the collective growth of our discipline and reaffirm our existence as a field.

Honoring this theme, IDD welcomes all varieties of well-designed, theoretically, and/or methodologically sound submissions related to instructional communication, pedagogy, and the teaching and/or learning processes at various developmental stages in individuals’ lives and in varied instructional contexts. IDD will consider three types of competitively reviewed submissions: individual papers, panel discussions, and paper sessions.

Individual paper submissions

Include complete reports of original research, thematic reviews of literature, or theoretical essays/position papers. Papers must include all required fields on the electronic form (title, author(s), description, keywords, audiovisual, and scholar-to-scholar agreement). Submitters must upload a completed copy of their paper including an abstract and a maximum of 30 double-spaced pages. References, tables, figures, or appendices do not count toward the 30-page maximum. There is no minimum page limit. Individual paper submissions should remove all identifying information (e.g., author name, university affiliation) from the PDF file that is uploaded. The paper must be in PDF format (no Word or Pages documents will be accepted for review). A paper may ONLY be submitted to one (1) NCA division or unit for review. All submissions must be original work, not previously presented at NCA or any other professional conferences, and not previously published. If you are willing to be considered for a Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) session, please indicate this during the submission process (via NCA Convention Central). S2S papers should meet typical standards for high-quality scholarship. In S2S sessions, wandering scholars (e.g., experts in the field) engage participants, stimulate discussions, and provide personal feedback. The S2S format also allows presenters to experiment with alternative presentation formats such as video, interactive media, slide shows, experimental activities, as well as posters describing their scholarship. Awards will be presented for Top Papers and Top Student Papers. Please indicate whether this is a solely student-authored paper when submitting to NCA Convention Central to be included in the review for Top Student Papers.

Panel Discussions

Are ideal for research or theoretical projects still under development (where fully developed paper submission is not possible), and/or research topics that might stimulate and benefit from audience interaction and engagement with scholars serving as panelists. For the 2025 conference, we encourage “research in progress discussion panels” that highlight current scholarship that is still developing and might not be completed by the conference, along with innovative discussion panels highlighting important topics related to instructional communication. Proposals must contain: (1) a title; (2) description (75 words or less); (3) rationale for the panel (250 words or less); (4) list of individual presenters and a chair, along with their institutional affiliations; and (5) a brief abstract of each participant’s role in the panel discussion (100 words or less) uploaded as a supporting file. Preference will be given to panels featuring representation from multiple institutions rather than those that include speakers from a single institution and, again, connection to the conference theme is strongly encouraged.

Paper Sessions

Should comprise 3-5 fully developed individual papers relevant to a common theme, topic, or research area. Proposals must contain: (1) session title; (2) description of the session; (3) name of session chair; (4) name of respondent (if applicable); (5) title and an abstract (125 words maximum) for each paper presentation along with author information; and (6) rationale for the session which describes the overarching theme of the papers that are being presented. Similar to panel discussions, preference will be given to integrated paper sessions that include authors/speakers from multiple institutions and connect to the conference theme.

All materials must be submitted online through NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. Proposals for special programming, short courses, pre conferences, seminars, or GIFTS (i.e., Great Ideas for Teaching Students) should be submitted directly to the program planners for those areas (see NCA Convention Central for contact information). Please confirm your email address listed in NCA Convention Central before submission as all correspondence will be sent to this email address.

Reminder About Professional Standards

For additional instructions on completing a submission, please refer to the step-by-step “Convention Submission Process” instructions provided in the NCA Convention Resource Library. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Instructional Development Division programming, please contact:

Dr. Kody Frey

IDD Vice Chair and Program Planner

Assistant Professor

School of Information Science

University of Kentucky

tkfr222@uky.edu

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International and Intercultural Communication Division

The International and Intercultural Communication Division (IICD) of the National Communication Association is committed to promoting works that explore different issues using intercultural communication frameworks. We understand culture broadly, not as a preexisting phenomenon but as a contested terrain of meaning-making, making it central to social interactions and human existence itself.

The year 2025 has brought severe sociopolitical turmoil in its wake. Given this context, the division seeks submissions from scholars, teachers, practitioners, and performers, among others, that related to the 2025 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” introduced by NCA’s First Vice-President, Dr. Tina Harris. Specifically, we invite works that engage this theme in ways that illuminate the theoretical and political potential of intercultural communication in being an agent of social change. Which voices, projects, analytics, and geopolitical contexts and perspectives, among others, are elevated in communication studies in general and intercultural communication in particular? Conversely, which issues remain elided and to what effect? Are there voices that remain subdued despite (performative) attempts to the contrary and why? Furthermore, when is it prudent to not elevate certain voices or analytics (as their strength derives from their ability to evade mainstream attention)? What are the implications of trying to “communicate” and “elevate” in times of rampant misinformation and in a political context that is hostile to investigations of socioeconomic and other inequities? Is it possible to elevate historically marginalized voices without hoping for substantial structural changes? What trends or interdisciplinary collaborations are emergent in intercultural communication that help elevate human well-being? These are a few provocations that we offer for your consideration.

The division is open to different theoretical, methodological, and political perspectives, including exploratory work, that use intercultural frameworks to throw light on historical and contemporary phenomena. We encourage submissions from all, including up-and-coming and new scholars, graduate students, and those who live and work outside hegemonic locations. We are especially committed to foregrounding work that is inclusive, unique, and represents historically marginalized perspectives.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The division will accept submissions in the following format: individual papers, paper sessions, performance sessions, and panel discussions. The instruction for each format is included below. All submissions should be made via the NCA Convention Central website. Please note that emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Please indicate in your submission if your proposal aligns with one or more of the NCA divisions and caucuses, including but not limited to the Activism and Social Justice Division; African American Communication & Culture Division; American Studies Division; Applied Communication Division; Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division & Caucus; Black Caucus; Caucus on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns; Communication and Aging Division; Communication and Sport Division; Critical and Cultural Studies Division; Disability Issues Caucus; Ethnography Division; Family Communication Division; Feminist and Gender Studies Division; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Studies Division; Group Communication Division; Health Communication Division; Indigenous Caucus; Interpersonal Communication Division; La Raza Caucus; Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division; Mass Communication Division; Nonverbal Communication Division; Organizational Communication Division; Performance Studies; Rhetorical and Communication Theory Division; and Women’s Caucus.

Individual Papers

Submissions must not exceed 25-pages, double-spaced. It should be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

If it is a student submission, please select “student” in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form. Please make sure that your paper is submitted to one division only. It should also not be presented at a different conference.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must include the title, description (abstract), and author(s) of each paper. A session chair is required, but respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. It should not include presentations included in other sessions. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Performance Session

Submissions must include a session title and description. Submissions must include individual performance titles, description, and information about performers. A chair is required. Please include a session rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. In the supporting file please indicate the length of the performance(s) within this submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the “Professional Standards for Convention Participants” prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions?

For any questions regarding submissions or other business pertaining to the International and Intercultural Communication Division, please contact:

Santhosh Chandrashekar

International and Intercultural Communication Division program planner

santhosh.chandrashekar@du.edu

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Interpersonal Communication Division

The Interpersonal Communication Division defines interpersonal communication broadly and welcomes submissions related to communication across all types of personal relationships, interaction processes, methodological approaches, and metatheoretical perspectives. We encourage interpersonal communication research that includes marginalized identities and underrepresented populations. Interdisciplinary research that demonstrates the relevance of interpersonal communication in other contexts is also welcome.

This year, NCA’s First Vice President Dr. Tina Harris encourages submitters to consider the convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate” in their submissions. Consider these guiding questions as you complete your submissions: How does communication help us realize our own and others’ potential? How can we seek opportunities to “lift as we climb,” bringing others along and creating spaces where they can thrive, even as we pursue our own goals? How can we take our scholarship to new levels together, honoring the complex and diverse community we have as interpersonal communication scholars? How can we elevate the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform what we do and who we are?

Submissions to the division may be theoretical, empirical, and/or methodological in nature. The division encourages a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. As relevant, authors are requested to report participant demographic information when possible (e.g., race, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, education levels). If demographic information is not available, researchers are asked to address in the discussion section how the results may be biased or limited. The division also encourages authors to consider the applied implications of their work when relevant.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Visit NCA’s website at https://www.natcom.org/call-submissions for relevant deadlines, character counts, and other submission details. Please ensure that all authors and presenters are represented in submissions. All submissions must be completed electronically through NCA Convention Central (https://www.natcom.org/convention-central), accessible through the NCA website. Be sure to visit the Convention Resource Library to find resources and guides to the submission process (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library). Prior to submission, all submitters are encouraged to review the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants document posted in the Convention Resource Library.

SUBMISSION TYPES

The Interpersonal Communication Division invites the submission of competitive individual papers, paper sessions, research in progress, and panel discussions that are of general interest to the membership of the division.

COMPETITIVE INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

Original papers written by an author or authors are reviewed individually and, if accepted, presented with other individual papers on a panel assembled by the division. Submissions should include (1) a title page with author names removed for anonymous review, (2) an abstract of 250 words or fewer, and (3) a maximum of 30 pages of text (not including references, tables, figures, and title page). Please stay within word and character limits imposed by NCA as a matter of fairness to both the reviewers and other submitters. Authors are encouraged to include a positionality statement that includes how the framing of the study and/or the interpretation of their results might be affected by their own identity or positionality. All competitive papers should follow standard procedures for removing information that identifies the author and/or the institution within the paper and within any document metadata. Please specify any audiovisual needs at the time of submission.

To compete for the Top Student Paper Award, students submitting papers must indicate “Student Paper” on the electronic submission form during the submission process. All authors must be students at the time of submission for the paper to be considered a student paper. Please specify any audiovisual needs at the time of submission.

PAPER SESSION PROPOSALS

Paper session proposals are submitted as a preconceived session revolving around a common theme. Paper session proposals should include (1) a 75-word abstract for the session, (2) identification of a session chair who is not a presenter or author in the session, (3) a rationale for the content and format of the session, not to exceed 750 words, that includes an explanation of why the paper session format is appropriate, (4) a title and 250-word (maximum) abstract for each paper, and (5) identifying information for the authors of each paper. Sessions should include individuals from multiple institutions, and a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, presenter). If you believe your panel session would be a good fit for co-sponsorship with another unit, please note that with your submission. Paper session proposals that reference the convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate” are particularly welcome, as are sessions that include members of other NCA divisions and interest groups.

PANEL DISCUSSION PROPOSALS

Panel discussions involve a group of scholars assembled to discuss a specific topic of interest to the division. Panel discussion proposals should include (1) a 75-word abstract for the session, (2) identification of a session chair who is not also a panelist, (3) a list of presenters and their affiliations, and (4) a rationale for the content and format of the panel, not to exceed 750 words, that includes an explanation of why the discussion panel format is appropriate. Panels should include individuals from multiple institutions, and a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, panelist).

We are particularly interested in proposals that (1) contain an interactive and innovative format, (2) reference the convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate,” and/or (3) include members of other NCA divisions, sections, and caucuses whose scholarship represent the interests of marginalized demographics or social groups. We also welcome roundtable submissions that address diversity, equity, and inclusion as they apply to the division and discipline.

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Research in progress submissions are designed for projects that are fully conceptualized but prior to or in the early stages of data collection, analysis, interpretation, or critique so that we may engage in discussions that support the development of exceptional research. We especially encourage students and emerging researchers to use this submission type as more seasoned researchers will be providing constructive feedback during the session. Submissions should be 500-700 words (excluding title, keywords, and references) and provide evidence of a fully rationalized research idea. Authors should be prepared to read the submissions of the other presenters before the session to cultivate a productive discussion during the session itself. Please use the “Extended Abstract” option for Research in Progress submissions. Audiovisual aids will not be available for this type of submission.

Questions?

Contact the Interpersonal Communication Division program planner: Dr. Erin Basinger, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, erin.basinger@charlotte.edu.

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Language and Social Interaction Division

The Language and Social Interaction (LSI) Division promotes research and teaching on discourse and interaction in social context. The 111th Annual Convention of the National Communication Association (NCA) to be held in Rockies/Denver, CO November 20-23, 2025, will engage with the theme “Communication to Elevate”. This theme encourages scholars to “exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate the difficult terrains that we oftentimes face” and “amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are”. The LSI Division invites encourage submissions that address the convention’s theme and integrate one or multiple LSI theoretical and methodological perspectives. Submission formats include individual papers, extended abstracts, paper sessions, or panel discussions. The nature of submissions may be empirical, theoretical, methodological, or exploratory, but should take an approach that is grounded in at least one of the following traditions: applied linguistics, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography of communication, ethnomethodology, membership categorization analysis, discursive psychology, narrative analysis, pragmatics, social psychology of language, social semiotics, sociolinguistics, or speech act theory.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers and Extended Abstracts

An individual paper is a paper submitted by an author or authors that is not part of a preconceived paper session. Both complete papers (no longer than 25 pages in length, double spaced, excluding references) and extended abstracts (1500-3000 words) will be considered. Extended abstracts should provide a rationale for the study, state the main analytic point(s) or argument(s) of the paper, and include a brief analysis of at least one data extract. Recognition for the top three individual papers will be given, including awards for top paper and top student paper. Only full papers will be considered for the awards. Please complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description, author(s), and keywords. Upload a copy of your paper or abstract. All identifying author information (names, institutions, hidden document properties) should be removed from your paper or abstract document before uploading. Please indicate on the electronic submission form whether your paper submission should be considered a student-authored paper and if you would like to be considered for presentation in Scholar to Scholar.

Paper Sessions

A paper session is a preconceived and complete session of papers surrounding a topic, in which each presenter (3-5) presents a paper. Paper sessions are submitted and reviewed for consideration. Paper session submissions should include: 1) a session title; 2) an overall session description; 3) chair(s) and respondent(s) (if applicable); 4) titles, author(s), and abstracts for each paper; 5) a rationale for the value of the session. Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter) in a submission.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is a preconceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic or issue. Panel discussions should include: 1) a panel title; 2) an overall panel description; 3) participant contact information; 4) a rationale for the value of the panel. Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter) in a submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including step-by-step instructions on how to submit, definitions of different submission types, and how to prepare a blind submission, are available in the NCA Convention Resource Library at www.natcom.org/conventionresources. All submissions must be made online through NCA Convention Central, and must list any A/V requirements at the time of submission. Check your email address listed in NCA Convention Central before or after submission, as all correspondence goes there.

Questions?

For questions about this call, please contact the Vice-Chair of the LSI division:

Stephen DiDomenico (West Chester University) at sdidomenico@wcupa.edu

Division

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Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division

The Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025. According to our mission statement, the Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division “fosters the study of communication issues and their attendant intersections with matters of concern for Latina/o communities throughout the Americas” (http://www.natcom.org/interestgroups/). We embrace a wide range of methodological and theoretical perspectives, including quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, critical, and performance approaches, among others.

This year’s convention theme “Communicate to Elevate” challenges scholars to consider what issues, policies, and/or topics allow us to lift others as we climb. This call invites scholars to address the scholarship, art, and/or activism that best represents the needs and/or current status of Latina/o/xs and the communication practices, performances, and discourses that they engage in in order to mentor, advise, and support others. Submissions that engage and collaborate with local community stakeholders are especially encouraged. In sum, we invite submissions that center “communication” in ways that carve out new directions for Latina/o/x scholarship, and we invite submissions that challenge this conference theme directly.

We welcome submissions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that address issues pertinent to and meaningful for our division.

We will accept four types of submissions: 1) competitive individual papers (referred to in the submission process as “individual papers”), 2) paper sessions, 3) panel discussions, and 4) performance sessions. Please indicate on the submission if you will need AV equipment for the session.

Competitive Individual Papers

These are full papers submitted individually, which will be reviewed and, if accepted, paneled by the program planner alongside other competitively selected papers. These should NOT be merely abstracts or extended abstracts, but rather complete papers. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

On the first screen of the submission process, there will be a question that allows students to indicate that it is a student paper. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, please use this question to specify that this is a student paper.
Include a title, a 250-300 word abstract, and up to 5 keywords.
No information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper file. To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper (including title page and headers) and the document’s embedded properties before uploading the document. Author information is collected elsewhere in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
Do not include a title page in your submission.
The paper should be no more than 25 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font), excluding the abstract, keywords, and references.
Scholar-to-Scholar Consideration: Please indicate if you are willing to present in a Scholar-to-Scholar session by checking the appropriate electronic agreement box. Similar to an interactive poster session, NCA’s “Scholar-to-Scholar” sessions highlight interactive forms of presentation that lend themselves well to visual modes of presentation and promote one-on-one engagement between presenters and audience members.

Top Paper Recognition: The Division recognizes the top submitted paper and the top student-authored paper submitted competitively. Students who are currently enrolled at an academic institution and who wish to be considered for the top student paper award should identify themselves as “student” when making their submission by clicking the appropriate box on the electronic submission form. To be eligible for a top student paper award, all authors on a submission must be currently enrolled students at the time of submission.

Paper Sessions

In this type of submission, a group of papers are submitted as a complete session. Papers are reviewed and accepted as a group. Each author, if accepted, would then present her/his/their own paper. These papers should be centered on a common theme. When preparing a submission, please include:

A session title, overall session description, and rationale for the paper session of no more than 250 words.
A title and description of no more than 250 words for each individual paper, as well as the name and institutional affiliation of each author.
A chair is required, and her/his/their name and institutional affiliation should be included. If the participants have secured a respondent, that information should also be included.
Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, presenter, etc.) in a submission.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic/issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. Panel discussion submissions should include:

A panel title and general abstract of no more than 75 words for the discussion.
A rationale for the discussion of no more than 250 words.
The names and institutional affiliations of all participants.
Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, presenter, etc.) in a submission.
A chair is required, and should be listed, along with her/his/their institutional affiliation.

Performance Session

A performance session is submitted as a completed panel of performances centered on the convention theme/issue. Performance submissions should include:

A performance title and general abstract of no more than 250 words.
The names of participants and institutional affiliations of each participant
Full scripts of the proposed performances.
Performances should be no longer than 15 minutes
Performance sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, presenter, etc.) in a submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

For assistance with all stages of the submission process, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, please visit the Convention Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/). In particular, please be sure to review the “NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants” prior to submission.

Thank you for your interest in submitting to and supporting the Latino/a Communication Studies Division. We look forward to seeing you in Denver, Colorado in 2025!

Diana Leon-Boys, Ph.D.

NCA 2024 Program Planner Latina/Latino Communication Studies Division

dleonboys@usf.edu

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La División de los Estudios de la Comunicación Latina/o | División Latina/o de los Estudios de la Comunicación (Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division) de la Asociación Nacional de la Comunicación (National Communication Association) abre la convocatoria de solicitudes al Congreso Anual que se llevará acabo en Denver, Colorado, del 20 al 23 de noviembre 2025. Según nuestra misión, nuestra división “fomenta el estudio de los problemas de la comunicación y sus intersecciones concomitantes con asuntos de particular interés a las comunidades latinas por todo el continente americano” (http://www.natcom.org/interestgroups/). Tomamos una amplia gama de perspectivas metodológicas y teóricas, incluyendo enfoques cuantitativos, cualitativos, críticos, retóricos y performance, entre otros.

Este año abrimos la convocatoria a propuestas en ingles, español y portugués que aborden temas pertinentes y significativos a nuestra cámara, y especialmente a aquellos que combinen el enfoque de nuestra misión con el tema del congreso, “Comunicación para elevar.”

Aceptaremos cuatro tipos de presentaciones: 1) competitive individual papers (ensayos individuales competitivos), 2) paper sessions (foros de ponencias), 3) panel discussions (foros de discusión). 4) performance sessions (sesiones de performance). Por favor indique si necesitará equipo audiovisual.

Competitive Individual Papers: Ensayos completos, entregados individualmente, que serán evaluados y, si aceptados, agrupados junto a ensayos similares. Este tipo de solicitud no esta compuesta únicamente por un resumen—se solicitan ensayos completos. Al preparar su solicitud, favor de considerar:

En la primera página de la solicitud se le permite a estudiantes (graduados o de licenciatura) indicar su estatus estudiantil. Se les solicita a los estudiantes identificar su estatus como estudiante.
Por favor incluya el título de su ensayo, un resumen de 250 a 300 palabras, y tres palabras clave.
Antes de entregar su solicitud, asegúrese de eliminar información que identifique el nombre de lxs autores para garantizar un proceso justo. En la pagina web “NCA Convention Central” podrá ingresar el título, la descripción, y otra información relacionada a los autores.
No incluyo una pagina titulo.
El ensayo no debe superar las 25 paginas.

Paper Sessions: En este tipo de solicitud se entrega un grupo de ensayos que serán evaluados como una mesa y, si aceptados, cada autor presentara su propio ensayo. Estos ensayos deberán tratar un tema en común. Al preparar su solicitud, favor de incluir:

El título y la justificación para la sesión, de menos de 250 palabras
El título y resumen de menos de 250 palabras por cada ensayo, al igual que el nombre la afiliación institucional de cada participante.
Cada sesión requiere un(a/x) director (chair) y su afiliación institucional. La solicitud también puede incluir a alguien encargado/a/x de dar una respuesta a la mesa (respondent).
Sesiones deben estar formadas por individuos de varias instituciones, en vez de individuos únicamente de una o dos instituciones. Adicionalmente, una sola persona no debe realizar mas de dos funciones en una misma solicitud.

Panel Discussions: El foro de discusión se entrega como una sesión completa y preconcebida de ponentes que discutirán un tema. En el foro no se presentan ensayos. Solicitudes deben incluir:

El título del foro y un resumen general de menos de 75 palabras.
La justificación para la discusión, de menos de 250 palabras.
Los nombres y afiliaciones institucionales de todo/a/xs lxs participantes.
Los foros deben estar formados por individuos de varias instituciones, en vez de individuos de solamente una o dos instituciones. Adicionalmente, una sola persona no debe realizar mas de dos funciones en una misma solicitud.
Cada solicitud requiere a alguien designado/a/x como director (chair) junto con su afiliación institucional.

Performance Session: Una sesión de performance es un foro completo enfocado en un tema. Solicitudes deben incluir:

El título del performance y un resumen de menos de 250 palabras.
Los nombres de los participantes y sus afiliaciones institucionales.
Guiones en completo del performance.
Cada performance debe limitarse a 15 minutos.
Cada sesión debe estar formada por individuos de varias instituciones, en vez de individuos de solamente una o dos instituciones. Adicionalmente, una sola personal no debe realizar mas de dos funciones en una misma solicitud.

Para ayuda durante el proceso de envío, incluyendo instrucciones paso-a-paso grabadas en vivo, visite la biblioteca del congreso (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/). Asegúrese de revisar “NCA Profesional Standards for Convention Participants,” o Normas Profesionales para Participantes del Congreso, antes de enviar su solicitud.

Mil gracias por su interés y por su apoyo a La División de los Estudios de la Comunicación Latina/o | División Latina/o de los Estudios de la Comunicación ¡Esperamos verte en Denver, Colorado!

Diana Leon-Boys, Ph.D.

NCA 2024 Planificadora del Programa Latina/Latino Communication Studies Division

dleonboys@usf.edu

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Mass Communication Division

The Mass Communication Division provides a forum in which scholars and teachers with diverse interests and approaches can come together to contribute to the study of mass and mediated communication. We invite submissions focusing on various questions regarding the consumption and production of media, the nature of media content in the form of images, narratives and codes, and the inﬂuence of media on individuals and societies across a wide range of contexts ranging from traditional to new media, health to politics, sports to science, and environment to ethics. All methodologies are respected and welcome.

The Mass Communication Division particularly invites submissions that delve into the 2025 conference theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” Mediated messages have the capacity to enlighten, energize, and move creators and audiences; we are interested in papers that explore elevation as a facet or consequence of mediated communication.

The division is especially interested in papers and panels that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

The Mass Communication Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Research Escalator Proposals (extended abstract; undergraduate and graduate student authors only), Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via the NCA Convention Central; e-mail and snail mail submissions will not be considered. For instructions on completing a submission, please click on or copy and paste this URL into your browser window to view “Convention Submission Process” content: https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resource-library

Reminder About Professional Standards

Please review the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to registering your submission. We request that all Mass Communication Division participants adhere to these standards. Please copy and paste this URL into your browser window to view the content: https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/annual-convention/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards_0.pdf

If you submit your work, we strongly encourage you to review for our division. Sign up to review by clicking on or copying and pasting this URL to the brief sign-up form into your browser window: https://forms.gle/L4QCLsgJGuoWyLLG7

SUBMITTING INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIVE PAPERS

Please complete the required ﬁelds in NCA Convention Central including title, author(s), description, and keywords. You must also upload a copy of your paper. Before uploading your paper into the system, please keep the following in mind:

Paper length is limited to 30 pages, including tables, ﬁgures, references, and any other paper material. Papers should be double-spaced and use 12-point font. Longer papers will not be considered and attempts to circumvent page limits by adjusting font or line spacing will also be rejected. Extended abstracts of papers will not be considered, except for ‘Research Escalator’ submissions (see below).
Do not include any author identifying information anywhere in the uploaded paper ﬁle (including the ﬁle name and title page).
Your paper must include a title page that follows the provided template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YtKsHthj9QEAxnNj4fxCvAirRLHS5iVX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116310800760725927571&rtpof=true&sd=true. The title page will not count towards your page limit.
You will provide the title of your paper and your name, affiliation, and keywords in the appropriate sections of the Convention Central form. To aid in the review process, when registering your paper, please include 3 keywords that describe your paper’s topic and methodology in the “Keyword” ﬁeld of the submission screen.
You should not include an abstract in the paper ﬁle that you upload to the system. You will enter a description (75 words) during the paper submission process.
Submissions that speak to the division’s goals of advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access through scholarship may include the standard IDEA statement listed on the provided title page template. This is only for tracking purposes and will not impact the submission’s likelihood of acceptance.
Submissions can be designated as a “student paper” only if all authors are students; this excludes papers with faculty co-authors. Student registrants MUST check a box in the paper submission process designating the paper as a “student paper” to be considered for the Top Student Paper panel and Division student paper awards.
Submissions will be checked for plagiarism. Those manuscripts found to contain plagiarized material, in any form, will not be accepted for presentation.
A/V requests must be made at the time of submission; we regret that late requests cannot be accommodated.
If you are willing to have your competitive paper submission considered for presentation in a Scholar-to-Scholar session, you should designate this willingness at the time of paper submission by checking the appropriate agreement box. Scholar-to-Scholar sessions are designed to provide for alternative forms of presentation, one-on-one interaction, and neighborhoods of knowledge and invite interactive media formats such as posters, laptop displays, and other experiential activities. Paper submissions considered for Scholar-to-Scholar sessions will be reviewed with the other Mass Communication submissions and may be programmed either as traditional paper presentations or as part of a Scholar-to-Scholar session.
If your paper submission is accepted, you agree to present the submission that was accepted. You are welcome to make updates to the submission prior to the conference presentation, but you are not allowed to present a completely different paper than the one that was accepted.

SUBMITTING RESEARCH ESCALATOR SUBMISSIONS

Research Escalator Sessions provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity for less developed research to be workshopped with a faculty mentor (with the goal of making the paper ready for submission to a conference or journal). Those interested in the Research Escalator session should submit an extended abstract (500-600 words, excluding references, tables, and ﬁgures) of their paper. Submissions should not be complete research studies; instead, the abstract should be a proposed study or one in its early stages. If your abstract is selected for mentorship, you will be expected to send the most recent version of your full paper to your mentor 6 weeks prior to the conference so that they have suﬃcient time to review your piece. Please only submit 1 research escalator per conference. Extended abstracts will only be considered for research escalator sessions.

During the convention, time will be set aside speciﬁcally for the research escalator sessions. Submitters will meet with their mentors in one-on-one meetings to discuss feedback on the manuscript. At the end of the session, submitters will give a short “recap” of new directions/goals as well as highlight the main points they took away from their mentorship sessions to all research escalator participants.

Your extended abstract must include a title page that follows the provided template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YtKsHthj9QEAxnNj4fxCvAirRLHS5iVX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116310800760725927571&rtpof=true&sd=true *Note: If you would like a mentor with a specific type of methodological or content expertise, please describe your ideal mentor in the Author Note section of the title page.

SUBMITTING PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Please follow the online directions for submitting your panels. Please include a panel title, all presenters’ names and aﬃliations, a general description (75 word limit) and extended rationale (400 word limit). A session chair is required.

Panels with a focus related to this year’s convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” are especially encouraged. Panels must include participants from multiple institutions, and no individual may serve in multiple roles in the panel (e.g. no chairs serving as respondents). Please keep in mind that panel discussions will not involve presented papers but will instead focus on dialogue.

Your panel discussion proposal must include a title page that follows the provided template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YtKsHthj9QEAxnNj4fxCvAirRLHS5iVX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116310800760725927571&rtpof=true&sd=true *Note that panel participant identifying information for panel sessions is required, so you may disregard the comment warning individuals not to include author identifying information in their submissions.

SUBMITTING PAPER SESSIONS

Please follow the online directions for submitting paper sessions. Include a session title; a general description (75 word limit); individual paper titles, descriptions, and author(s) information with the submission (75 word limit for each individual abstract); and extended rationale (400 word limit). A session chair is required. No individual may serve multiple roles (e.g., author on multiple papers, chair and author, etc.)

Submissions with a focus related to this year’s convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” are especially encouraged. Submissions must include participants from multiple institutions, and no individual may serve in multiple roles in the panel.

Your paper session proposal must include a title page that follows the provided template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YtKsHthj9QEAxnNj4fxCvAirRLHS5iVX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116310800760725927571&rtpof=true&sd=true *Note that author identifying information for paper sessions is required, so you may disregard the comment warning individuals not to include author identifying information in their submissions.

Questions?

Questions regarding competitive paper submissions, research escalator submissions, and paper or panel sessions should be directed to:

Laramie Taylor

Research Committee Chair

UC Davis

lartaylor@ucdavis.edu

Debora D. Pérez Torres

Research Committee First Vice Chair

CSU San Bernardino

debora.pereztorres@csusb.edu

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Master’s Education Section

The Master’s Education Section works to promote dialogue and scholarship regarding Master’s level education in the communication discipline. We welcome both scholarly work on any communication topic created by Master’s students and scholarly work by non-Master’s students (e.g., professors, instructors, administrators) that deals with the education of Master’s students.

The section accepts individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions at NCA’s Annual Convention that promote new scholars’ work and/or improve Master’s level education.

Possible paper and panel discussion topics may include: outstanding communication research conducted by Master’s students, unique approaches to Master’s education, mentoring Master’s students, exit options for Master’s students, different career paths for students with Master’s degrees, or other unique issues related to Master’s programs in communication studies. Papers reflecting this year’s theme of “Communicate to Elevate” will be considered for theme-related panels. We encourage you to also consider submitting proposals to the appropriate calls for Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S), Short Courses, Preconferences, and Research in Progress Roundtables. The calls for these are found in the list of calls for the 111th Annual Convention.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 25-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Top Student Panel and Paper Award: We anticipate hosting a panel of top-quality work by Master’s students, during which we will present a Top Paper award to the best paper submitted by a Master’s student.

To submit work to be considered for the Top Paper panel, papers must be clearly marked “STUDENT PAPER” on the first page of the uploaded document. Students (and any co-authors) submitting work to be considered for this panel must not have received and/or completed all the requirements for a Master’s degree in a communication discipline before April 5, 2025.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must include the title, description (abstract of no more than 75 words) and author(s) of each paper. A session chair is required, respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance, of no more than 250 words, outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description of no more than 75 words. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved and their affiliation, as well as the role/contribution of each presenter (e.g. Chair, Discussant, Moderator). A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance, of no more than 250 words, outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Panel discussion proposals must be specifically identified as such and must also include a statement confirming that each presenter has committed to attend and participate in the convention.

Sessions should include individuals from multiple institutions. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Master’s Education Section programming, please contact:

Scott Varda

Associate Professor

Department of Communication

Baylor University

Scott_Varda@baylor.edu

Division

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Nonverbal Communication Division

The purpose of the Nonverbal Communication Division is to unite theory, research, and practice of nonverbal communication, honor scholarship in the study of nonverbal communication, and create inter-divisional links between the Nonverbal Communication Division and other National Communication Association (NCA) divisions. The Nonverbal Communication Division is looking for submission of individual papers and panel discussions that advance understanding of nonverbal communication through research and teaching.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2025

NEW THIS YEAR: We are accepting individual paper submissions!

The Nonverbal Communication Division invites the submission of competitive individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions having general interest to the membership of the division. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions, provided in the Convention Resource Library (www.natcom.org/conventionresources).

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

Must include:

Papers must include a title and an abstract of no more than 250 words.
Author names, affiliations, and paper titles must be spelled correctly.
Submitters must upload their paper to NCA Convention Central.
Papers may be a maximum of 30 double-spaced pages of text using 12-point font with 1-inch margins (not including tables, figures, cover page, and references).
To ensure that reviewers are unable to identify authors, submitters should remove their names from the cover page before uploading the document. In addition, no information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper. Papers that include identifying information may be disqualified from consideration.
To compete for the Top Student Paper Award, students submitting papers must indicate “Student Paper” on the electronic submission form during the submission process. NOTE: All authors must be students at the time of submission in order for the paper to be considered a student paper.
Please specify any audiovisual needs at the time of submission.

PANEL DISCUSSION PROPOSALS

Must include:

Submissions should include an overall description of the purpose of the panel discussion and a one-paragraph rationale for acceptance, outlining the importance of the submission.
Panel discussion proposals should include a listing of the chair (required) and the presenters and their affiliations.
In order to improve the likelihood of acceptance for the convention, it is recommended that not all the panelists have the same institutional affiliation.
All panel discussion proposals must be submitted online via the NCA Convention Central website by the deadline.
Be sure to indicate any audio-visual equipment requests (e.g., LCD projector, screens, and speakers) at the time of your submission. Presenters are responsible for providing their own laptop or computer.
Prior to submission, all submitters are encouraged to review materials provided in the Convention Resource Library, such as (a) the Professional Standards for Convention Participants and (b) the live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR NONVERBAL DIVISION AWARDS

Since this is the first year the Nonverbal Communication Division is accepting Individual Papers, we intend to award a Top Paper Award and Top Student Paper Award from the submissions received. However, we reserve the right to consider Individual Papers accepted for presentation in other divisions for its Top Paper Awards as well. If you have a paper on nonverbal communication you should consider submitting it to the Nonverbal Division; however, if you submit a paper on nonverbal communication that is accepted in another division, please do the following to help ensure that it can be considered for an award from the Nonverbal Communication Division.

Include the word “nonverbal” or related appropriate terms, such as “facial expressions” or “gestures”, in the title of the paper.
2. Contact the Program Planner of the Nonverbal Communication Division (Samantha Shebib, sshebib@uab.edu) with your name and the title of your paper, after you receive notification of the paper’s acceptance in another division.

LOCATION-SPECIFIC PANEL IDEAS

The Nonverbal Division has a tradition of hosting at least one panel that brings together nonverbal scholars across disciplines from universities in or near the convention location (Rockies/Denver, Colorado) and/or that focuses around a topic particular to the location of the convention. If you have ideas for a panel theme that would be appropriate or recommendations of scholars in the convention area whose work may be of interest to the members of the division, please send those ideas and recommendations directly to the program planner, Samantha Shebib, (sshebib@uab.edu), by the conference submission deadline.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the 2025 Nonverbal Communication Division Program Planner:

Samantha J. Shebib, Ph.D.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
sshebib@uab.edu

Division

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Organizational Communication Division

The Organizational Communication Division invites submissions for the 2025 convention in Denver, CO related to the practice, critique, theory, research, and teaching of organizing and organizational communication. We welcome diverse theoretical, topical, and methodological approaches to organizational scholarship in several formats, including Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Discussion Panels, Performance Sessions, and Extended Abstracts for the Research Escalator.

This year, our theme is “Communicate to Elevate.” According to Tina Harris, NCA’s first vice president, this specific theme has two meanings. First, it speaks to “members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are “lifting as we climb,” ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate the difficult terrains that we oftentimes face.” Second, it encapsulates the excitement around innovation and scholarship, importantly, to celebrate, communicate, appreciate, and respect our diverse community.

In keeping with this theme, we encourage you to reflect on the theories, practices, and scholarship surrounding the theme of Communicate to Elevate as you think about developing your paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions.

We also request submissions for special panel discussions titled, “Celebrating Wisdom,” which is in line with the theme of Communicate to Elevate. These topical panel discussions will celebrate the works of multiple scholars who have developed, finessed, engaged, and informed important topics, theories, and methodologies that have been critical in elevating our field. Importantly, these topics provide us with a nuanced and an elevated way of looking at organizations. These panel discussions should highlight the struggles that come with elevating in different organizational contexts, often signaling the importance of resistance, dissent, resilience and support in the elevation journey.

We are also interested in interdisciplinary and co-sponsored sessions. Please indicate if your proposal aligns with one or more NCA divisions and caucuses.

Submissions must observe NCA submission guidelines.
Sessions should strive to include a diverse set of participants with respect to personal identities, ranks, institutions, institution type, and so forth.
Emailed submissions will not be accepted.
Panel, paper, and performance session submitters will also be expected to review.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email the program planner, Surabhi Sahay, sus1258@psu.edu

Individual Papers

An individual paper is a full manuscript, submitted directly by an author or authors, which is reviewed individually and, if accepted, grouped into sessions by the program planner. Individual papers are eligible for consideration for Top Paper awards.

Paper submissions must be original material; not have been published or accepted for publication at the time of submission; not have been publicly presented at any other scholarly conference or similar forum; and not have been submitted to any other division. For research involving human participants, please indicate that research complied with the requirements for the protection of human participants, including IRB approval and oversight.

Submissions should not exceed 30 pages (including tables, images, and figures, but excluding title page, abstract, references). All papers must be double-spaced, using 12-point, Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and follow the guidance of the 7th edition of the APA style guide. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Criteria by which competitive individual papers will be evaluated include the paper’s theoretical, empirical, practical, and/or pedagogical contribution; analytical and as relevant, methodological rigor; importance (e.g., significance, timeliness, novelty) of the topic or issue; appeal to division members; writing clarity and coherence; and potential for development into a full research paper.

Student authors: Please indicate on the title page and in the relevant check box on NCA Convention Central if the paper is student authored. (Please note that this designation means that all authors are students.) Student works are eligible to be considered for Student Top Paper awards.
Audio/Visual Requests: Please indicate in the relevant check box any audio-visual needs at the time of submission. Late requests cannot be accommodated.
Scholar-to-Scholar: Please indicate on NCA Convention Central if you are willing for your paper to be considered for a Scholar to Scholar session. Scholar-to-Scholar sessions are interactive, with media formats such as posters, laptop displays, and other experiential activities. Scholar-to-Scholar submissions will be reviewed by the Division as a competitive paper but presented during a Scholar-to-Scholar session.

Research Escalator Extended Abstracts

The Research Escalator provides an opportunity for authors with works-in-progress to discuss and get feedback from experienced scholars, with the goal of making the paper ready for submission to a conference or journal. Those interested in the Research Escalator session should submit an extended abstract with references. If accepted, participants are expected to send the full paper to the scholar(s) assigned to their paper no later than 6 weeks before the convention.

Anyone can submit an abstract for the Research Escalator session. However, we especially encourage graduate students, early career scholars, and those interested in learning more about the journal publishing process to submit. To be considered for this category, please be sure to use the Extended Abstract submission option in Convention Central. Accepted presenters are expected to register for the convention and participate in the small group discussion with their mentors and other authors.

Paper Sessions

Paper sessions are preconceived, complete sessions of papers (usually 3 to 5) focused on a particular topic, in which each presenter has a titled presentation and delivers their own work. Paper sessions are reviewed as a whole. Submitters should include participants from differing institutions and are highly encouraged to include cross-disciplinary and diverse perspectives and maximize opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Submissions must include a title and overall session description. Submission must also include the title, description (abstract) and author(s) of each paper. A session chair is required, respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Submissions must include:

A title and overall session description
Information for each paper: The title, description (abstract) and author(s) of each paper
The name of the session’s chair (required) and respondent (if applicable)
A rationale that elaborates on the focus, purpose, importance, and relevance of the session
AV requests

Panel Discussions (Regular)

A panel discussion is a preconceived, complete session in which a panel of presenters addresses a particular issue, often in a conversational style, but without individually titled presentations. Like paper sessions, panel discussions are reviewed as a whole. Submitters should include participants from differing institutions and are highly encouraged to have cross-disciplinary and diverse perspectives and maximize opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Submissions must include:

A title and description for the entire panel
The name of the panel’s chair (required) and respondent (if applicable)
A list of the presenters, including their affiliations
A rationale that elaborates on the focus, purpose, importance, and relevance of the panel
AV requests

Panel Discussions: Celebrating Wisdom

These panel discussions will focus on specific topics, theories, or methodologies in organizational communication that have been critical in elevating our field. Each panel will honor multiple scholars who have been central to the topic. Moreover, emphasis should be placed on discussing how these works unpack the journey to elevate in organizations and different forms of organizing, thus providing us with wisdom and knowledge to look at interactions through a nuanced lens. Panelists could further examine and discuss how these topics and the related works of authors have influenced our field and left an impact in their lives.

Like paper sessions, panel discussions are reviewed as a whole. Submitters should include participants from differing institutions and are highly encouraged to have cross-disciplinary and diverse perspectives and maximize opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Submissions must include:

A title description for the entire panel
The name of the panel’s chair (required) and respondent (if applicable)
A list of the presenters, including their affiliations
A rationale that elaborates on the focus, purpose, importance, and relevance of the panel
AV requests.

Performance Sessions

A performance session is a preconceived, complete session of performances (usually 3 to 5) focused on a particular topic, in which each presenter has a titled performance and delivers their work. Performance might entail poetry reading, dance, music, theatre, skits, and expression of research through art, among other ideas. Performance sessions are reviewed as a whole. Submitters should include participants from differing institutions and are highly encouraged to have cross-disciplinary and diverse perspectives and to maximize opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Submissions must include:

A title and description for the entire session
The name of the session’s chair (required) who curates the session and brings together the performances through a research narrative and also the name of the respondent (if applicable)
Information for each individual presenter’s performance (including Author names and affiliations). Each performance should be 15 minutes at maximum.
A rationale that elaborates on the focus, purpose, importance, and relevance of the session to the division
AV requests
Links to video excerpts or performance scripts (if available)

Criteria by which competitive paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions will be evaluated include the panel’s theoretical, empirical, practical, and/or pedagogical contribution; importance (e.g., significance, timeliness, novelty) of the topic or issue; qualifications of presenters including multiple and diverse perspectives; appeal to division members; and overall coherence of the panel.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For questions, please contact:

Surabhi Sahay

Program Planner, Organizational Communication Division

Pennsylvania State University-Abington

sus1258@psu.edu

Division

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Peace and Conflict Communication Division

The Peace and Conflict Communication Division (PCCD) of the National Communication Association encourages submissions related to research, teaching, and practice at the intersections of the study of communication peace, conflict, power, and identity. Submissions to this Division often explore topics in conflict management, negotiation, mediation, and bullying. Peace and Conflict Communication scholars study processes and effects of communication using a variety of research methods, concepts, and pedagogical or andragogical approaches to understand and promote peace in personal, organizational, local community, national, and global contexts. We also ask that submissions to the PCCD closely align with the overarching conference theme.

Tina M. Harris, Second Vice President of NCA describes the theme in this way: “Communicating to Elevate has two specific meanings … First, it speaks to what I believe is our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are “lifting as we climb,” ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate the difficult terrains that we oftentimes face…. As we ascend to higher heights, we commit to bringing others along and creating spaces where others can thrive as well. Let’s put this into practice at the conference and submit papers, panels, and more that help us continue striving towards being the inclusive, transparent and support organization we are constantly working to be. Second, Communicating to Elevate was created to conjure up a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating. We are taking everything we do to the next level, and we cannot do it alone. We must come together as a beautifully complex and diverse community whose differences are celebrated, communicated, appreciated, and respected…. Communication is fundamental to every aspect of life, and without our scholarship or instruction, where would the field be? Where is the field going? Together, we can play an essential role in determining our future, one filled with hope and promise.”

The PCCD will consider the following submission types: (1) individual paper; (2) paper session; (3) and panel discussion. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 25-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission selects student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on submitting, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Peace and Conflict Communication Division programming, please contact:

Erica Knotts

Peace & Conflict Communication Division Planner

knottse@sou.edu

Division

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Performance Studies Division

The Performance Studies Division promotes the study, criticism, research, praxis, teaching, public awareness, and application of the artistic, humanistic, and cultural principles of performance. Division scholars and artists pursue performance as an object of inquiry, a heuristic metaphor for analysis, a method of research, and an artistic medium.

The Performance Studies Division invites submissions of individual papers, as well as proposals for contributed performances, paper sessions, performance sessions, film sessions, extended abstracts, and/or panel discussions for the NCA 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, CO from Thursday, November 20 to Sunday, November 23, 2025.

By NCA 2nd Vice President Tina M. Harris’s account, this year’s theme—“Communicate to Elevate”—is intended to highlight two specific senses of “elevation.” The first is supportive and prosocial, insofar as scholars in communication studies might embrace their “duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own.” The second pertains to the quality, prominence, and public renown of communication scholarship, an effort to “actively prioritiz[e] communication and…its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work,” thereby elevating our profile.

In the specific case of performance studies, we might add a few additional senses of “elevation.” Performance studies seeks to encourage challenging discussions and promote scholarly exchange in, through, and as performance theory and practice, thereby elevating performance itself through intellectual rigor and refinement of technique. The division has long committed itself to the amplification and celebration of minoritarian voices and perspectives, thereby elevating scholars and communities not only ideologically but also practically. And we should not overlook the innovative and critical (perhaps contrarian) streak in performance studies scholarship, one that would invite us to question the embrace of a metaphor that reinscribes the hierarchical concept of verticality: “higher” and “lower,” “above” and “beneath.” We might think instead of the possibilities of a horizontal politics and practice, invested in relationality, networks, equality, expansiveness and inclusivity, as well as interdisciplinary, postdisciplinary, and everyday aesthetics. To the extent that these features describe the commitments of feminist, decolonial, indigenous, posthumanist, and process philosophies, they represent an important part of the contemporary landscape of performance studies.

The Performance Studies Division will consequently privilege those session/panel proposals that elevate the unique contributions of performance studies as a subfield of communication studies. This includes submissions that highlight arts-based research methodologies, novel and experimental forms and formats of scholar-artistry, and the epistemic diversification of our collective scholarly project along the lines of embodied knowledge, critical pedagogy, and decolonial practice, among other interventions. In support of the ethic in performance studies that has long sought to maintain an invitational, open, and collaborative scholarly community, the division will also privilege those submissions that demonstrate breadth of affiliation (across multiple institutions and/or other scholarly and/or activist or performance communities), breadth of methodology and method (across paradigmatic, aesthetic, and practical approaches), breadth of scope (across topics within and outside established scholarly subjects), and breadth of participation (highlighting the opportunities and productive constraints of multiple scholars in high density panel formats), recognizing that breadth must be constrained and tempered by a coherence of purpose, method, subject, technique, and/or shared concern.

These should be banner times for performance studies: we are awash in literary adaptations for the stage and screen, in possession of opportunities for the digital and analogue production and distribution of aesthetic scholarship and creative work, grappling with issues of identity and equity, and engaged in massive intercultural exchange. That performance studies has much to offer the field of communication studies, its participants, and its students, is obvious; sadly, our profile remains modest. In elevating and emphasizing those dimensions of our theory and practice that answer the constant calls asking some persons to “finally get around to doing” that which we have already long been doing, we insure not only a brighter future for our own community of scholar-artists but prepare for a future that seems increasingly uncertain and fraught.

Reminder About Professional Standards

I look forward to receiving your proposals and hope to see you in Denver!

Travis Brisini

Department of Communication Studies

Louisiana State University

tbrisini@lsu.edu

The Division invites seven types of submissions; please read the descriptions below carefully prior to submission to determine the most appropriate category:

Individual Papers (Debut and Competitive)

Only completed essays may be submitted as Debut or Competitive papers. If you would like to submit an extended abstract that will be a completed paper by the time of the conference, please see number 7, below. The Division will recognize the top Student Paper and the top Competitive Paper with awards. Participants who would like their work considered for one of these awards should select Individual Paper as the submission type in NCA Convention Central. It is expected that authors contributing individual papers will make performance studies scholarship central, not merely adjacent to their project.

Submissions should include:

The title of the paper
Author(s)
A description (abstract) of the paper
Keywords
An uploaded file of the paper.
Requests for A/V equipment

NOTES:

To submit a Student Paper, authors may not have presented a paper previously at NCA. Participants must include the words STUDENT PAPER on the first page of the uploaded file.
To submit a Competitive Paper, participants must include the words COMPETITIVE PAPER on the first page of the uploaded file.
The uploaded manuscript should be prepared for anonymous peer review and the manuscript must not have been presented at another conference.
Performance scripts may be considered as Student or Competitive Paper submission only if they are accompanied by and contextualized through a discussion of the conceptual, theoretical, and/or methodological issues evoked, enacted, critiqued, and/or investigated by the performance. Participants wishing to have scripts considered as Student or Competitive submissions should submit them as Individual Papers and include the appropriate category on the first page of the uploaded file.

Contributed Performances

The Division invites submission of completed performance scripts and sample video clips to be considered for inclusion on a “Top Contributed Performances” session. The Division will recognize the Top Contributed Performance with an award. The contributed performance session is designed for short solo (7 to 9 minute) or multiple participant (10 to 15 minute) performances.

Everyone contributing a performance should carefully prepare the embodied and aesthetic aspects of their in-person presentation (including memorization, embodied movement/blocking, vocal delivery, relevant text or technological incorporation, props and costumes, etc.) Please see the award rubric for further criteria, and recognize that this variety of submission pertains to Conspicuous Aesthetic Performances (Shaffer 2020), rather than more traditional varieties of read-aloud academic paper presentation.

Submitters should select Individual Performance as the submission type in NCA Convention Central and follow the instructions below:

The title of the performance
Performer(s)
A description (abstract) of the performance
Keywords
Uploaded files(s) of script with link to video (upload limits are not likely to support direct video upload).
Requests for A/V equipment

NOTES:

Upload the performance script and link to a video sample (no longer than 3 minutes) to NCA Convention Central. The most complete submissions (i.e., script and link to sample clip) will be given preference.
Other types of performance panels (e.g., multiple performances addressing a unified subject or theme, one person, or full-cast shows) should be submitted as a Performance Session (see below).

Paper Sessions

Participants wishing to submit a collection of papers addressing a common theme should submit the collection as a Paper Session. Select Paper Session in NCA Convention Central as the submission type for this format.

Proposals should include:

A title for the session
A session chair (and respondent, if desired)
Titles, author(s), and descriptions (abstracts) of all papers
A description of the entire session for the online convention program
A rationale for the session
Requests for A/V equipment

Performance Sessions

If you have a group of performances around a theme or a longer form solo performance, please submit as a Performance Session. Select Performance Session in NCA Convention Central as the submission type for this format.

Proposals should include:

A title for the session
A session chair (and respondent, if desired)
Title(s), performer(s), and description(s) (abstract) of the performance(s)
A description of the overall session for the online convention program
A rationale for the session
Requests for A/V equipment
Link to video excerpt(s) (if available)
Performance script(s) (if available)

Film Sessions

If you have a group of films/multimedia works around a theme, please submit as a Film Session. Select Film Session in NCA Convention Central as the submission type for this format.

Proposals should include the following:

A title for the session
A session chair (and respondent, if desired)
Title(s), creator(s), and description(s) (abstract) of the film(s)/multimedia work(s)
A description of the overall session for the online convention program
A rationale for the session
Requests for A/V equipment
Link to video excerpt(s) (if available)
Script(s) (if available)

Panel Discussions

Panel discussions are preconceived complete sessions in which participants address a single significant issue or topic. No papers are presented; rather, the participants offer position statements, performances, and/or engage in a discussion addressing the topic. Select Panel Discussion in NCA Convention Central as the submission type for this format.

Proposals should include the following:

A title for the session
A session chair (and respondent, if desired)
A list of participants and their affiliations
A description of the session for the online convention program
A rationale for the session
Requests for A/V equipment

Extended Abstracts

Extended abstracts will be considered for papers and performance scripts that will be completed before the convention. Extended abstracts should be between 1,000-1,500 words (not including references).

The abstract should include the following elements, using relevant subheadings:

The purpose of the project
A rationale for the project’s significance
A brief and concise review of relevant literature (no more than two paragraphs)
The guiding research questions
The proposed methodology for the project
Desired next stages or outcomes for the project (from conceptualization to published/funded/implemented project/performance)

NOTES:

Two weeks before the conference, final papers or scripts should be sent to panel respondents.
Accepted extended abstracts may be grouped with other extended abstracts or added to paper panels, at the discretion of the division planner. You may indicate your preference.

In all categories, be as specific as possible about A/V equipment requirements.

Division

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Philosophy of Communication, Theory, and Critique Division

The Philosophy of Communication, Theory, and Critique Division focuses on the premises and promises of communication. Our division promotes the expansion of communication and philosophy beyond traditionally Western-oriented paradigms and structures. We support scholarship examining communication from diverse methodologies and traditions, including critical theory, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, and semiotics, to interrogate the ethical, epistemological, and ontological dimensions of communication. We encourage inquiry into how communication shapes and is shaped by philosophical discourse, with an eye on its inherent complexities and paradoxes.

We invite competitive papers and paper sessions that develop philosophical understandings of communication, theory, and critique. We encourage submissions in areas of communication ethics, corporate communication, crisis communication, environmental communication, health communication, mass media, political communication, rhetoric, technology, and/or utilitarian and pragmatic approaches to communication. These suggestions are intended to inspire creativity in response to the convention theme but are not meant to be exhaustive. The division is open to and encourages any work dealing with themes of philosophy of communication in the context of relating place to communities, liberation, advocacy, individuals, and environments.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Communicate to Elevate

We welcome submissions that explore the convention theme, Communicate to Elevate. We invite perspectives that elevate underrepresented communities and marginalized ideas that challenge sedimented philosophical traditions used to theorize and critique communicative phenomena. We value research that engages with practices of philosophical interpretation that construct, depend upon, and maintain the communicative conditions and contexts where it becomes necessary to undertake conscientious efforts to elevate those perspectives, voices, and ideas that have been arbitrarily and unjustly excluded from consideration. Submissions are welcome from across the discipline and from any methodological

Competitive Individual Papers

Competitive individual papers that explore problems and themes that address the philosophy of human communication or are of general relevance to the division are welcome, as well as those that embrace the conference theme with intellectual depth and originality. Submitters must upload an unidentifiable copy for the peer review process. To aid anonymity, submitters must remove their names from the cover page and other areas of the paper (including references) before uploading the document. Instructions detailing how to prepare an unidentifiable copy for submission are available in the Convention Resource Library located at http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/.

The division gives out “Top Paper,” “Top Student Paper,” and “Top Dissertation” awards. There is a cash award for the top student paper winner. If you want to compete for the top student paper award, please indicate “Student Paper” by selecting the appropriate field during the electronic submission process (all authors must be students). All submissions will be reviewed according to the following criteria: Relevance to the Division, Originality and Clarity of Thesis, Quality of Analysis, Contribution to the Understanding of Human Communication, and Quality of Writing.

ALL competitive individual paper submissions must include these elements: 1. A title; 2. An abstract of no more than 250 words; 3.) A maximum of 30 double-spaced pages in 12-point font (not including tables, figures, cover page, and references).

Paper Sessions

Complete paper session proposals addressing problems and themes that address the philosophy of human communication or are of general relevance to the division are welcome, as well as those that embrace the conference theme with intellectual depth and originality. Paper session proposals that thematize a particular philosophical problematic or philosopher are particularly welcome.

ALL paper session proposals must include these elements: 1. Session title; 2. A 75-word abstract of the overall session; 3. A session rationale that addresses the content and format of the session (including a justification of why the session is appropriate for the Division) that does not exceed 500 words; 4. Titles of papers and no more than 250-word abstracts for each paper; 5. Name and affiliation of all paper authors.

ALL paper sessions should represent diversity in institutional affiliation. Priority will be given to paper sessions including participants from multiple institutions.

Additionally, no paper session participant should hold more than one role in the submission (for instance, the chair should not also be the respondent and no presenter should also serve as chair).

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are expected to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants, located in the Convention Resource Library, prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are also available in the Convention Resource Library at www.natcom.org/conventionresources/.

Please specify any audiovisual needs for papers and paper sessions at the time of submission.

Questions?

For more information contact:

Andrew Allsup

Visiting Lecturer, Bates College

aallsup@bates.edu

Division

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Political Communication Division

The Political Communication Division (PDC) supports the work of scholars and practitioners engaged in the research, teaching, and practice of political communication. The scope of the PCD is broad, as the study of communication and politics may encompass the communicative activity of citizens, political figures, public and governmental institutions, the news media, media platforms, political campaigns, advocacy groups, and social movements. Research presented in PCD sessions regularly addresses topics including but not limited to: media platforms and politics; political rhetoric; political advertising; campaigns and debates; political participation; civic engagement; the public sphere; gender and politics; race, ethnicity and politics; political attitudes and behaviors; and international and comparative politics.

PCD invites submissions that advance political communication theory and research. PCD recognizes and encourages research that addresses political communication topics in all contexts and levels of analysis, employing a wide variety of methodologies. We welcome submissions engaging with the theme of the 2025 NCA Convention, “Communication to Elevate.” Given the number of ways something can be elevated – to be lifted, to afford greater stature or publicity, or to increase in number – we interpret this conference theme as a nod to our dedication to (1) lift other scholars as we seek to achieve our own goals and (2) recognize the importance of unheralded political topics and publics who have not received the attention they deserve. In short, the PCD aligns with NCA by seeking to elevate the unsung heroes and unexamined topics that will help us better understand political communication at large. Submissions that fall within this space are well-suited for this division. However, a connection to the theme is not a condition of acceptance. If your paper or panel has a strong connection to the theme, you may also consider submitting to the special convention theme via NCA Convention Central.

PCD prioritizes diversity and inclusion and seeks submissions that expand the division’s diversity of voices, scholarship, theoretical approaches, and methodologies. Papers that include data from participants are encouraged to include reflection on the demographic diversity of the sample (or lack thereof) and speak in theoretically rich ways about how sample demographics shape the boundaries of the conclusions.

PCD will accept 1) individual papers (full papers and work-in-progress papers), 2) paper session proposals, and 3) panel discussion proposals. All submissions must be completed through the NCA Convention Central online system; submissions via other means will not be accepted. Audio-visual requests must be made at the time of submission. The same paper or proposal may not be submitted to multiple divisions. Deadline: March 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

Submissions close on March 31, 2025 at 11:59PM Pacific Time at NCA Convention Central: https://www.xcdsystem.com/nca/member/index.cfm. We strongly encourage submission before this deadline. No matter which type of submission you create, please include any AV requests at the time of submission. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How-to-Submit” instructions provided in the convention resource library. Please also familiarize yourself with NCA’s expectations for conference participants. In particular, keep in mind there is an expectation that if you submit your work you will register for and attend the conference, and that you are submitting original work that has not already been published, accepted for publication, presented at another conference, or submitted to another division.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Individual Papers and Works-In-Progress

PCD will accept completed papers and papers and projects in progress. We have expanded the work-in-progress option to include projects that will be complete by the NCA 2025 Convention and a limited number of projects that will not be complete and could benefit from scholarly discussion and feedback. IMPORTANT: When submitting either type of paper, select “Individual Paper” as the submission type in the NCA system, then INCLUDE THE TYPE OF PAPER IN THE TITLE of your paper so that reviewers know which type of individual paper they are evaluating. For example, a title might read, “Intersectional Identities in Congressional Campaigns- INDIVIDUAL PAPER-IN-PROGRESS.”

Details about each paper type are below:

Individual Full Paper

A full individual paper should include a completed manuscript (for example, the texts/data have been fully analyzed) and follow the division’s traditional individual paper submission format. These fully completed individual papers will be considered for the division’s Top Paper and Top Student Paper awards. In the uploaded paper file, submissions must include an abstract page with the paper title, a 100- to 200-word abstract, and up to 5 topical and methodological keywords about the paper. The main text of an individual full paper should not exceed 8,000 words, not including title/abstract page, references, tables, notes, etc. Submissions that exceed 8,000 words will not be reviewed. Papers should be submitted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the uploaded paper document. Instructions on preparing an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. IMPORTANT: Submissions of this format MUST include the words “Individual Full Paper” in the TITLE of the paper.

Individual Paper-in-Progress

A paper-in-progress should include details about a paper in progress at the time of submission that will be completed by NCA 2025. Successful papers will overview ongoing (but not yet completed) projects rather than work that has not yet been started. In the uploaded paper file, a paper-in-progress submission must include an abstract page with the paper title, a 100- to 200-word abstract, and up to 5 topical and methodological keywords about the paper. The main text of a paper-in-progress paper should include sufficient but concise information about the main research questions/objectives, the project’s significance, background literature/theory, the method/texts, preliminary analysis or expected results, and a timetable for completion of the paper. The paper-in-progress submissions must be 1,500-2,000 words, not including title/abstract page, references, tables, notes, etc. Submissions that exceed 2,000 words will not be reviewed. Papers-in-progress, while short, should be of high quality, and the projects they overview should be feasible to complete by NCA 2025. Papers should be submitted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the uploaded paper document. Instructions on preparing an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. IMPORTANT: Submissions of this format MUST include the words “Individual Paper-In-Progress Paper” in the TITLE of the paper.

Individual Research-in-Progress Roundtable Submission

This is a category for PCD designed to connect emerging and senior scholars and foster discussion about research projects yet to be completed. A small number of projects from emerging scholars (defined as graduate students and junior faculty) will be accepted for roundtable sessions. Projects that expand the diversity of voices and topics of study are strongly encouraged. Individual research-in-progress submissions should consist of an extended abstract of 1,500-2000 words (excluding references) that includes 1) rationale for the project’s significance, 2) explanation of how the project enhances the diversity of PCD and/or its relevance to PCD, 3) a brief review of relevant literature, 3) guiding research questions or hypotheses, and 4) proposed methodology, 5) 3-5 topical and/or methodological keywords. Submissions that exceed 2,000 words will not be reviewed. Papers should be submitted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the uploaded paper document. Instructions on preparing an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. IMPORTANT: Submissions of this format MUST include the words “Individual Paper-In-Progress” in the TITLE of the paper and marked as “STUDENT” or “JUNIOR FACULTY” on the first page.

For either type of individual paper submission, please be sure to mark the following options in your submission, if applicable:

Student Papers: Student papers (papers in which every author is a student) should be prominently marked STUDENT on the abstract page and the first page of the text. Additionally, those submitting a student paper should check the appropriate agreement box on the online submission form.
Scholar to Scholar: Scholar to Scholar sessions encourage alternative forms of presentation, one-on-one interaction, and communities of knowledge. Your submission will be reviewed by our division but may then be scheduled during a larger NCA Scholar to Scholar session to allow more flexibility in your presentation format (e.g., posters, laptop displays). If you would like your submission to be considered for Scholar to Scholar, check the box on the NCA Convention Central form as you submit. For more information on Scholar to Scholar, visit https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library/scholar-scholar-faqs-and-tips

Paper Sessions

A paper session includes titled paper presentations centered on a common theme. Paper session proposals will be evaluated based on the importance of the issue/topic, the session’s relevance to the field of political communication, the theoretical or empirical contribution, and coherence. Please provide the following information during the submission process:

A title and 75- to 100-word description of the session for the online convention program
The name of the session’s chair and respondent
A title and 100- to 200-word abstract for each paper
A list of the author(s) for each paper, including each author’s affiliation
A 250- to 300-word rationale for the entire session

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is a seminar-type conversation in which a group of panelists discuss a specific topic that is explained in a general description and extended rationale, but without titled individual presentations. It includes a group discussion of a specific topic without papers. Panel proposals will be evaluated based on the importance of the issue/topic, the session’s relevance to the field of political communication, the theoretical or empirical contribution, and coherence. Please provide the following information during the submission process:

A title and 75- to 100-word description of the entire panel for the online convention program
The name of the panel’s chair (required) and respondent (if applicable)
A list of all presenters, including each presenter’s affiliation
A 250- to 300-word rationale for the entire panel

Paper sessions and panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, author) in a submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on submitting, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions?

If you have any questions, contact the Program Planner:

Dr. Kurt Braddock, Vice-Chair, Political Communication Division
Assistant Professor
School of Communication
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
braddock@american.edu

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Public Address Division

The Public Address Division (PAD) invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, CO from November 20-23, 2025.

PAD supports research into multiple forms and modalities of political and cultural rhetoric across a range of contexts. PAD is committed to scholarship exploring a wide array of spatial and temporal situations, including local, national, and transnational contexts, historical and contemporary discourses, and diverse traditions and practices. PAD welcomes work that crosses or bridges disciplinary boundaries and addresses intersectional dynamics (e.g., race, class, religion, gender, sexuality, ethnicity). Submitters are not required to be PAD members.

We invite the following presentation formats: (1) individual papers; (2) individual films; (3) individual performances; (4) paper sessions; and (5) panel discussions. An individual should make no more than one submission to PAD. Papers must not have been presented at another convention, nor can the same submission be made to more than one division at this convention.

The convention theme for NCA 2025 is “Communicate to Elevate.” NCA Second Vice President Tina Harris writes that this theme addresses “our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are ‘lifting as we climb,’ ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others.” Second Vice President Harris encourages us to “come together as a beautifully complex and diverse community whose differences are celebrated, communicated, appreciated, and respected. This also means that we are actively prioritizing communication and in its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work.” The conference theme represents “a sustained opportunity to amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are.”

PAD program planners strongly encourage submitters to consider how they might engage the conference theme and public address in their submissions.

All submissions must be uploaded through NCA Convention Central. Please begin the submission process well in advance of the deadline. Submitters who need assistance with the process can access how-to guides, sample submissions, webinars, and other useful resources from the NCA Convention Resource Library web site at www.natcom.org/conventionresources.

TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Individual Papers

Individual papers are completed, unpublished research papers. The Vice Chair(s) will organize accepted individual papers into thematic panels and assign a chair and/or respondent.

For the submission of Individual Papers, please note:

Complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description, author(s), and keywords. The planner will consult the keywords to select appropriate reviewers so please use terms that are broad and common (e.g., “civil rights,” “presidency,” and “public sphere”). Potential rhetoric-area specializations include: affect/emotion, Africa, African American rhetoric, archives/archival methods, argumentation, Asian American rhetoric, colonialism/postcoloniality/decoloniality, digital rhetoric, disability, ecology and the environment, economics/neoliberalism, epideictic rhetoric, Europe, figures and tropes, gender (feminisms/masculinities/trans), health and medicine, historical rhetorics, identity, indigenous rhetoric, LGBTQ+, Latina/o/x rhetoric, legal rhetoric, legislation, memory, Mexico/Central America/South America, Middle Ages and Renaissance, Middle East and North Africa, pedagogy, political campaigns and advertising, premodern era, presidential rhetoric, publics/public sphere/counterpublics, public policy, race/racialization, religion, sexuality, social movements and protest, South Asia, sport, visual rhetoric, war and military conflict.
Include a title, an abstract of no more than 300 words, and an uploaded paper.
The maximum length for submitted papers is 25 double-spaced pages, excluding notes and illustrations.
To ensure anonymous review, upload a pdf copy of your paper with all identifying information removed. Identifying data should be removed from the document itself (e.g., title page) as well as the document properties and/or metadata.
All paper submitters to PAD are encouraged to consider marking the “Scholar-to-Scholar” option if their work can be effectively presented in a poster format. Please indicate this interest in the electronic submission form.
Undergraduate and Graduate Students: please indicate on the electronic submission form that your submission is a student paper so that it can be considered for the division’s Robert Gunderson Award for Top Student Paper in Public Address.
Awards: The Public Address Division offers two awards for the top submitted papers. In addition to the Gunderson Award for Top Student Paper, the Wrage-Baskerville Award honors the top paper in Public Address. Awards are presented at the PAD business meeting at the convention, and top papers are presented in a special session, often immediately before or after the business meeting.

Individual Films

An individual film is a short film—no longer than 10 minutes—appropriate to be shown in a programmed session of the Public Address Division. The Vice Chair(s) will organize accepted films into sessions.

Proposals for individual films must include:

A title, description of no more than 300 words, keywords, and filmmaker information. Please make note of the list of rhetoric specializations above (A.1) as you consider your keywords.
A request for appropriate AV support.
A supporting file that (A) indicates the length of the film, (B) provides a 300-450 word rationale for the film’s relevance to public address scholars, (C) includes either a copy of the script (no more than 50 pages) or a link to the film or film trailer, and (D) any pertinent copyright, permission, or viewing considerations that showing the film might invoke.
Submitters should not attempt to upload a video file to NCA Convention Central.

Individual Performances

An individual performance is a creative presentation of scholarship appropriate to the Public Address Division. It may include multiple participants but cannot exceed 15 minutes. The Vice Chair(s) will organize accepted performances into sessions.

Proposals for Individual Performances must include:

A title, description of no more than 300 words, keywords, performer information, and a description of any space needs essential to the performance (i.e., approximate room size or square footage). Please make note of the list of rhetoric specializations above (A.1) as you consider your keywords.
Request for appropriate AV support.
A supporting file that (A) indicates the length of the performance, (B) provides a 300–450-word rationale for the performance’s relevance to public address scholars, and (C) includes either a script, a link to a video, or a detailed outline of the performance.

Paper Sessions

A paper session involves a group of presenters with titled papers centering on a common theme. PAD strongly encourages paper sessions that include participants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities as well as presenters from differing career stages, universities, and geographical regions. Sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). Further, a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter).

Please upload a separate pdf file that includes the names and affiliations of all presenters, chairs, and respondents. Convention Central will anonymize all submissions, and per NCA guidelines, reviewers must have access to this information to assess the session composition. For reference, review forms for these sessions include the following question: “As well as you can possibly judge, does the submission include scholars of varied career stages across different universities and geographical regions, diversity of gender, ethnicity, and other identity positions? Keep in mind that sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s).”

Proposals must include:

A title and description for the session of no more than 100 words.
The names of a designated chair and a respondent.
Titles, abstracts of 250 words, and author information for each paper.
A rationale of 250-450 words. This statement should provide an overall justification for the significance of the paper session.
If the session is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor on the special requests tab.
Request for appropriate AV support.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion involves a group of panelists discussing a specific topic. Panelists in a discussion session do not title their individual presentations or present papers. PAD strongly encourages interactive panel sessions that include participants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities as well as panelists of varied career stages across different universities and geographical regions. Sessions should include panelists from multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). Sessions composed exclusively or almost exclusively of colleagues from the same institution are unlikely to be accepted.

Please Note: If you are submitting a panel, please upload a separate pdf file that includes the names and affiliations of all panelists, chairs, and respondents. Convention Central will anonymize all submissions, and per NCA guidelines, reviewers must have access to this information to assess the panel composition. For reference, review forms for these sessions include the following question: “As well as you can possibly judge, does the submission include scholars of varied career stages across different universities and geographical regions, diversity of gender, ethnicity, and other identity positions? Keep in mind that sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s).”

Proposals must include:

A title and description for the panel of no more than 100 words.
The name of a designated chair and a list of all presenters.
A rationale of 250-450 words. This statement should provide an overall justification for the significance of the panel discussion.
If the panel is a good candidate for co-sponsorship with another division, caucus, or affiliate organization, please identify the potential co-sponsor on the special requests tab.
Request for appropriate AV support.

EVALUATIVE STANDARDS

In preparing your submission, please consider these criteria, which will guide the review process:

Relevance to the Public Address Division. How relevant is the submission to the aims and goals articulated in the conference call?
Quality of the project. Will the submission make an important contribution to knowledge in public address? This criterion involves engagement with appropriate primary and secondary source material; originality and significance of contribution; and coherence, rigor, and soundness of argument.
Quality of writing or creative activity and/or coherence of session design. How well is the submission presented? This criterion focuses on clarity of expression, developmental flow, and stylistic artistry, and, for paper sessions and panel discussions, the conception and articulation of the session plan.

SUBMITTING PAPERS TO RESPONDENTS

Completed papers that are accepted for presentation at the convention and then uploaded by the submitter will be available to respondents via NCA Convention Central prior to the convention.

Questions?

Please send questions to the Public Address Division’s Vice Chair for 2025:

Robert Asen

robert.asen@wisc.edu

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Public Dialogue and Deliberation Division

The Public Dialogue and Deliberation division (PD3) is a vibrant and growing community of scholars, teachers, and practitioners who research, conceptualize, and facilitate public dialogue and deliberation, to support democratic engagement and social justice. We invite your contributions for the 111th NCA convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, from November 20-23, 2025. We welcome contributions that engage meaningfully with the 2025 NCA convention theme of “Communication to Elevate,” and that demonstrate the rich potentials for public dialogue and deliberation scholarship, teaching, and practice to contribute to our understandings of what we hold in regard as a society and how we do so.

NCA Second Vice President Dr. Tina M. Harris encourages us to engage communication to elevate on at least two levels: (1) our duty to strive to help others realize their potential as we work toward our own, and (2) our task of conjuring up a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating. Building on Dr. Harris’s call, some of the questions that might emerge relative to this theme include:

How do we “lift as we climb,” ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate difficult political and social terrains?
How might we craft communicative spaces where people can grow and thrive?
What theories and practices could elevate core values such as inclusion, transparency, and supportiveness in and across our organizations and societies?
What can we do to elevate communication in its many forms and the diverse theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work?

Our division has much to contribute to these conversations. We invite you to think creatively about designing panels and presentations that are inclusive of marginalized and underrepresented voices, that maximize participation, and that incorporate dialogic and/or deliberative principles into the conference experience. We especially encourage submissions from students.

We also highly encourage PD3 members to submit ideas for cross-divisional panels and other events (such as Short Courses, Pre-conferences, Great Ideas for Teaching Students, Research in Progress Roundtables, and the Convention Theme call) that can occur outside of the PD3’s allotted programming slots. Please contact the program planner (see below for contact information) with ideas for Short Courses and Pre-conferences. To ensure their success, proposals for these events should be developed and submitted with sufficient time to identify others interested in collaborating.

Submissions must be made through NCA Convention Central by Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Public Dialogue and Deliberation Division accepts three formats for submissions: (1) Individual Papers; (2) Innovations in Practice Extended Abstracts; and (3) Panel Discussions. We welcome submissions that use any of a wide range of research methods – qualitative, social scientific, or rhetorical. We also welcome work that connects scholars, students, and community partners. For a general definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions provided in the NCA Convention Resource Library. All submissions should include a title, description, author(s) information, keywords and AV requests. Complete student submissions (including an Individual Paper OR an Innovations in Practice Extended Abstract) will be considered for a Top Student Paper award. This honor includes a monetary award of $100 and the designation as a Top Student Paper in the division’s 2024 convention program.

Please see specifications below for each of the different types of possible PD3 submissions:

INDIVIDUAL PAPERS

An individual paper is a full manuscript, submitted directly by an author or authors, which is reviewed individually and, if accepted, grouped into sessions by the program planner.

Paper submissions should typically be no longer than 30 pages (including tables, images, and figures, but excluding title page, abstract, and references). All papers must be double-spaced, using 12-point, Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins. A copy must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central as an Individual Paper and must not include any identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous copy are provided in the Convention Library.

Criteria by which competitive individual papers will be evaluated include the paper’s theoretical and/or practical contribution; importance (e.g., significance, timeliness, novelty) of the topic or issue; appeal to division members; and writing quality and coherence.

Student authors: Please indicate on the title page and in the relevant check box on NCA Convention Central if the paper is student authored. (Please note that this designation means that all authors are students.) Student submissions are eligible to be considered for Top Student Paper awards.
Audio/Visual Requests: Please indicate in the relevant check box any audio-visual needs at the time of submission. Late requests cannot be accommodated.
Scholar-to-Scholar: Please indicate on NCA Convention Central if you are willing for your paper to be considered for a Scholar-to-Scholar session. Scholar-to-Scholar sessions are interactive, with media formats such as posters, laptop displays, and other experiential activities. Scholar-to-Scholar submissions will be reviewed by the Division as a competitive paper but presented during a Scholar-to-Scholar session.

Following our commitment to fostering interactive opportunities that strive to enact the ideals of dialogue and deliberation, our 2025 sessions will feature high-density sessions involving short (5-7 minute) engaging presentations followed by a substantial period of moderated discussion among presenters and session attendees. For PD3 sessions, the moderator replaces the traditional conference role of a respondent, with the goal of fostering dialogic and deliberative engagement with the presentation ideas among all session attendees.

INNOVATIONS IN PRACTICE EXTENDED ABSTRACTS

Submissions of Innovations in Practice should highlight and detail an innovation related to design, pedagogy, facilitation, or assessment that advances our understanding of the practical aspects of public dialogue or deliberation. These innovations can be situated in spaces such as classrooms, public meetings, college campuses or schools, or other contexts in which public dialogue or deliberation takes place. Submissions are typically no longer than 10 to 15 pages and must indicate “Innovations in Practice” on the first page of the submission. All papers must be double-spaced, using 12-point, Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins. Files must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central as Extended Abstracts and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous copy are provided in the Convention Library.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

A panel discussion is a preconceived, complete session in which a panel of presenters addresses a particular issue, often in a conversational style, but without individually titled presentations. Panel discussions are reviewed as a whole. Submitters should include participants from differing institutions and are highly encouraged to include cross-disciplinary and diverse perspectives to maximize opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Submissions must include:

A title and 75-word description for the entire panel
The name of the panel’s chair (required) and respondent or facilitator (if applicable)
A list of the presenters, including their affiliations
A 400-word rationale that elaborates the focus, purpose, importance, and relevance of the panel
AV requests

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

If you have any questions/ideas for short courses/preconference sessions, please contact PD3 Vice Chair and division planner Dr. Don Waisanen at don.waisanen@baruch.cuny.edu

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Public Relations Division

The Public Relations Division (PRD) aims to advance the field and its impact on society by creating a space for scholars, students, and practitioners to share their scholarship, teaching, and practice of public relations. The division encompasses research that examines the relationships among organizations, stakeholders, and issues, the strategic use of communication in diverse contexts, and the evolving roles of public relations in organizations and a globalized world. Research presented in PRD sessions regularly includes topics such as the evolution of public relations theory and practice; leadership and the profession’s role in fostering organizational and societal impact; digital and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence; social listening and media analytics; ethical challenges such as dis/misinformation; the dynamics of various forms of publics; corporate social responsibility; crisis and risk communication; diversity, equity, and inclusion; public relations pedagogy; and applications across sectors such as health, government, nonprofit, sports, and entertainment.

PRD welcomes scholarship employing a variety of theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and perspectives. The 111th Annual Convention theme, Communicate to Elevate, invites us to explore how public relations can advance knowledge, foster connection, and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by elevating the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are. The theme embodies the spirit of “lifting as we climb” where we are reminded of our duty to exchange wisdom and knowledge in ways that help others realize their potential as we work towards our own.

PRD invites submissions of individual papers, research paper sessions, and panel discussion proposals that promote a greater understanding of contemporary issues in public relations theory, research, practice, and pedagogy. All methodological approaches are acceptable: qualitative, quantitative, rhetorical, critical, historical, etc. Only completed papers and discussion panel proposals will be considered. Submissions that explicitly address the convention theme or that might be of interest to members from other divisions and interest groups will be given special consideration.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Individual papers, research paper sessions, and panel discussion proposals must be submitted electronically to the NCA Convention Central website via the 2025 NCA Convention homepage by the deadline. No other submission will not be accepted. Please note that submissions may not be submitted to multiple divisions, previously presented, published, and/or scheduled for presentation at any other conference, or under review at a journal or any other publication outlet. Submissions must be original, and submitters are responsible for the work created. Therefore, use of AI tools to produce a literature review, analyze data, report statistics/results/findings, or create any component of the submission is strictly prohibited.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Please see the Convention Resource Library for helpful resources, including additional information about the convention, step-by-step instructions on how to submit, and descriptions of submission types.

Details about each submission type are below:

Individual Paper

A completed manuscript for individual paper submissions should present a fully developed and finalized study. This includes a thorough literature review, a clear articulation of research questions or hypotheses, a detailed description of the methodology, comprehensive data analysis (if applicable), and well-supported conclusions or findings. The manuscript should demonstrate theoretical or practical contributions to the field of public relations. The maximum paper length is 25 double-spaced pages, excluding title page, references, figures, and tables.

The submission must:

1. Ensure a blind review where all personal or identifiable information is removed from the submission, including personal information in the File/Properties field.
2. Include a 100–150-word abstract for the paper (as part of the title page) and relevant keywords. Do not put your name on the title page or elsewhere in the submission.
3. Indicate if the submission is a student-only authored paper prominently on the title page. Student papers must be entirely written by student authors to be considered for the student paper competition, or to receive special “student paper” consideration.
4. Adhere to APA guidelines like 1-inch margins, double-spaced text including references, ragged-right margins on body text, and 12-point Times New Roman or similar serif font.
5. Select whether you are interested in being considered for a Scholar-to-Scholar session.

Submission will be disqualified for being incomplete; submitting to other conferences, divisions, and journals; including identifiable information or track changes in the submission; and/or submitting later than the official NCA deadline.

Paper Session Proposal

A paper session includes titled paper presentations centered on a common theme. The submission is evaluated based on the theme’s relevance to the field, implications of the theoretical or empirical contributions, and coherence of titled papers. A paper session is submitted as a preconceived and complete session of papers. The papers are not submitted or reviewed individually and are not submitted by the author(s) but rather by the person submitting the paper session proposal. The paper session proposal (not the individual papers) is reviewed as a whole. If accepted, all papers must be completed by the time of presentation at NCA. Proposals that explicitly address the conference theme are preferred.

IMPORTANT: Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author/presenter) in a submission.

The submission must include:

1. 1. A title for the proposed paper session,
  2. A session description (150 words maximum),
  3. A session chair (required) and respondent (optional),
  4. Paper title, paper description (250–500 words), and paper author(s) for each paper to be presented, and
  5. A fully developed paper session rationale (500–750 words) that indicates whether the session will introduce completed research and completed papers. If appropriate, include suggestions and a rationale for appropriate co-sponsors and/or interdisciplinary collaborators on the Special Requests tab.

Panel Discussion Proposal

A panel discussion is a group of panelists engaged in a collaborative conversation on specific and significant issues and debates in the field of public relations. The panel discussion is guided by a general description and an extended rationale, without presenting individual papers. The discussion focuses on shared insights and expertise rather than prepared presentations. It is submitted as a preconceived and complete session of presenters. Panel discussion proposals that explicitly address the convention theme are preferred.

IMPORTANT: Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author/presenter) in a submission. All presenters are expected to present in-person.

The submission must include:

1. A title for the panel discussion,
2. A panel description (150 words maximum),
3. A session chair (required) and respondent (optional),
4. A list of the panel participants, including their names, titles, and affiliations, and
5. A fully developed session rationale (500–750 words).

AWARD INFORMATION

Top Faculty Papers

PRD recognizes excellence in scholarship through its Top Three Faculty Papers award, which highlights outstanding research contributions to the field. Faculty-authored papers that demonstrate originality, methodological rigor, and significant theoretical or practical implications are considered for this prestigious recognition. To be eligible, submissions must be completed manuscripts that adhere to the division’s guidelines and formatting requirements. The Top Faculty Paper award reflects the division’s commitment to promoting innovative research that advances public relations scholarship and practice.

Top Student Papers

PRD also recognizes excellence in student-authored scholarship through its Top Three Student Papers award. These papers have traditionally received recognition and may receive a cash award (depending on funding availability). The top student paper will also be submitted for the NCA Cushman Award. To be eligible, submissions must be authored solely by students and completed manuscripts that adhere to the division’s guidelines and formatting requirements. If a student-authored paper is based on a larger work (e.g., thesis or dissertation), please revise it to adhere to the division’s guidelines and formatting requirements.

Top DE&I Paper

In 2023, PRD added a top paper award for the paper that examines issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of public relations. Special consideration will be given to the paper that advances theory and/or the profession as it relates to DE&I and successfully incorporates the convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate.” Both faculty and student papers will be considered for this award, which will be chosen by the Selection Committee.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the division’s program planner:

Dr. Adam J. Saffer, University of Minnesota

Vice-Chair and Program Planner

NCA Public Relations Division

asaffer@umn.edu

CONNECT WITH NCA PRD

Website: https://ncaprdivision.wordpress.com/
Twitter @NCA_PRD
Facebook
Instagram

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Rhetorical and Communication Theory Division

The Rhetorical and Communication Theory Division of the National Communication Association is dedicated to the study of theoretical, critical, and empirical questions related to the fields of rhetorical and communication theory. In supporting this mission, the Division invites individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions that address all aspects of rhetorical and communication theory.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions are encouraged to engage the 2025 convention theme: “Communicate to Elevate.” As scholars of rhetoric and communication theory, we are uniquely positioned to examine how communication can serve as a powerful force for elevation—of ideas, of discourse, of understanding, and of human potential. The theme invites us to explore how communication can lift up marginalized voices, raise the level of public discourse, and advance our collective understanding of crucial issues facing our world today.

We invite submissions that critically examine, theorize, and envision how our scholarship can contribute to the elevation of communication in various contexts. We encourage work that investigates how communication can elevate discussions across differences, bridge divides, and foster meaningful dialogue. We actively seek submissions that consider how the concept of elevation manifests differently across global contexts, communities, and cultures, while remaining mindful of power dynamics and ethical implications in efforts to “elevate.”

GENERAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION

In order to avoid unnecessary problems with submission and review, please carefully read the following guidelines:

All submitters are encouraged to review the “Professional Standards for Convention Participants” in the NCA Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/) prior to submission.
All submissions must be made online via NCA Convention Central.
Submissions will open in January 2025.
Individual Papers, paper sessions, and panel discussion submissions must be complete by March 31, 2025, 11:59 P.M. PST. Please begin the submission process well in advance of this deadline.
Submitters needing assistance with the submission process can access “how-to-submit” guides and other useful resources from the Convention Resource Library on the convention website or attend a “how-to-submit” webinar (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).
Each submission should be made to one unit only. (That is, do not submit the same submission to different units.)
A person should be the first author on no more than one submission to the Rhetorical and Communication Theory Division.
Submissions are received with the expectation that, if selected, participants will attend the 2025 NCA convention in Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2025.

SPECIFIC SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Individual papers

Please complete the required electronic submission fields including title, description, author(s), and keywords. Upload a copy of your paper. The uploaded file should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words in length (inclusive of notes and references) and should reflect the substance of one’s planned remarks. Papers over 5,000 words in length will not be considered. Uploaded papers should include:

A paper title.
A brief description/abstract (150-200 words) – This will be printed in the online program, if selected for presentation at NCA.
Author(s) names should be removed to facilitate anonymous review (for Word documents, please go to file –> properties –> summary to remove your name from the document).
Student-authored papers should be designated by including “Student-Authored” on the first page of the paper and by selecting the appropriate designation on the electronic submission form. The Nichols-Ehninger Award will be given to the top-ranked student paper presented on the Division’s programs during the 2025 convention. To be considered for this award, the paper must be marked “Student-Authored” on the first page, and, if multiple-authored, all authors must be students.

Paper session

A session of papers organized by the submitter around a coherent theme. Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or a couple of institution(s) and a single person should not serve more than one role for the session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter). Submitted paper sessions should include:

A title for the session as a whole.
A brief overview or description of the session (150-200 words) – This will be printed in the online program, if selected for presentation at NCA.
Author(s) for each of the individual paper presentations (name, title & affiliation) including an abstract of each author’s contributed paper (no more than 250 words).
A detailed, well-reasoned and supported rationale for the session as a whole (400-1000 words).
A session chair (a person responsible for welcoming the audience, introducing presenters, monitoring time, etc.) is required.

Panel Discussion

A discussion focused on a coherent theme, but participants do not present individually titled papers. Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or a couple of institution(s). Alternative and creative panel formats emphasizing interaction among participants and audience members are welcome. Submitted panel discussions should include:

A title for the panel.
A brief overview or description of the discussion (150-200 words) – This will be printed in the online program, if selected for presentation at NCA.
A detailed, well-reasoned and supported rationale for the panel as a whole including a brief description of each presenter’s qualifications (400-1000 words). Presenters’ qualifications do not count toward the rationale word limit.
A session chair (a person responsible for welcoming the audience, introducing presenters, monitoring time, etc.) is required.

Important Note: Only those individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussion submissions that conform to these guidelines will be considered for the 2025 convention; for example, individual papers significantly exceeding the 5,000 word length limit (inclusive of notes and references) will be rejected.

AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT

NCA policy entails providing reasonable A/V support of presentations at its annual convention. However, submitters should screen requests carefully and submit only those that are essential to the program. Participants are therefore encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Submitters must request A/V equipment at the same time they submit and organize programs. For more information about NCA policies on audio-visual materials, see the NCA Convention Resource Library webpage (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Monday, March 31, 2025, 11:59 P.M. PST

Questions?

If you have questions about this call, please contact the Rhetorical and Communication Theory Vice-Chair, Theon E. Hill, Ph.D., at theon.hill@wheaton.edu (when emailing, please put “NCA RCT” in the subject line). All who submit their work to the Division are warmly invited to attend the Division’s business meeting at the convention. At the meeting, the RCT Division will present the Early Career Award, the Mentorship Award, and the Nichols-Ehninger Award, and a new slate of officers will be presented for election.

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Spiritual Communication Division

The primary purpose of the Spiritual Communication Division (SCD) is to promote an understanding of spirituality from a communication perspective. Spirituality is grounded in three basic understandings: First, communication serves as the pathway through which individuals and groups make sense of the uncertainties and mysteries of everyday life. Second, spiritual communication has the capacity to unite diverse communities by recognizing our interconnectedness. Third, broadly defined spirituality provides a framework for examining and striving to live a meaningful life through various experiences, practices, beliefs, and traditions. Members focus on work centered around spiritual communication in marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, refugees and asylum seekers, disabled and neurodivergent individuals, and communities from the Global South. Inquiries should be intentionally intersectional and interrogate systems of oppression. We invite submitters to share their work with our division and welcome a diverse array of theories, methodologies, pedagogies, and practices, encouraging consideration of the practical implications of their work when applicable.

SCD Is Accepting The Following Submission Types

The Spiritual Communication Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Individual Films, Individual Performances, Film Sessions, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions. The submission deadline is Monday, March 31, 2025. We invite works published, copyrighted, or defended between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submits, select the student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Individual Film

Submissions must include a film title, description, keywords, and filmmaker information. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, upload a copy of the script (no more than 100 pages) or a word document that contains a link to the film or film trailer. Do not upload a video file to NCA Convention Central. In the uploaded supporting file indicate the length of the film. Individual films should be no more than 20 minutes in length. If the film is longer than 20 minutes, consider developing a Film Session submission (see requirements in this call).

Individual Performance

Submissions must include a title, description, keywords and performers’ information. Performances must be no longer than 20 minutes in length. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, include a script, link to a video of the performance, or an outline of the performance.

Performance Session

Submissions must include a session title and description. Submissions must include individual performance titles, description, and performers. A chair is required. Please provide a session rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. In the supporting file please indicate the length of the performance(s) within this submission.

Film Session

Submissions must include a session title and description, titles of each film, descriptions of each film and film maker(s) information. A session chair is required. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Do not upload film(s) to Convention Central. Rather, upload a word document that contains a link to the film(s), film trailer(s), or script(s). In the supporting file please indicate the length of the film(s) within this submission.

SCD Call for Submissions: Nomination for Division Awards

The current leadership of the 2025 NCA Spiritual Communication Division is delighted to announce its annual division Distinguished Scholarship Awards. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, August 31, 2025. Nominations are invited for work published, copyrighted, or defended between January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.

We are particularly interested in nominations for scholarship and action that center spiritual communication for greater regard towards marginalized communities such as 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, refugees and asylum seekers, disabled and/or neurodivergent people, communities from the Global South, and so on. Inquiries should be intentionally intersectional and interrogate systems and structures of oppression.We define spirituality and spiritual awareness as concepts in relation to the pathways through which individuals and groups make sense of the uncertainties and mysteries of everyday life, present and perform those pathways through activism, community engagement, and service to groups and broader cultural populations. In particular, we look for arguments and action that seek to unify diverse communities through the recognition of our interconnectedness, or challenge and question arguments and action that incite disharmony across cultural, spiritual, and ideological boundaries. We also encourage contributions from those promoting templates for examining and attempting to live a meaningful life through myriad experiences, practices, beliefs, and traditions.

Winning submissions in the past have included critiques and dialogs related to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, mindfulness practices, spiritual and environmental harmony, and the interconnectedness of human experience. We encourage submissions that challenge traditional notions of religion, politics, and ideology as well as those focused on harmonious experiences between mind, body, and spirit.

Additional Submissions Details

Submissions for scholarship awards should include the following:

a) A nomination letter outlining justification for the award

b) The work itself (for details see immediately below)

Submissions for the Community Activism/Engagement/Service and Outstanding Mentor awards should include:

a) A nomination letter outlining justification for the award

Nominations for the authored or edited book awards should include Three:

a) (3) copies of the complete work, or, if available, a pdf of the book.

Nominations for all other awards (article, book chapter, dissertation, thesis, undergraduate scholarship) should include:

a pdf of the work sent to Desiree Montenegro at dmontenegro@lbcc.edu

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Spiritual Communication Division programming, please contact:

Desiree A. Montenegro, M.A., Long Beach City College

Vice-Chair and Program Planner

NCA Spiritual Communication Division

dmontenegro@lbcc.edu

CONNECT WITH NCA SCD

Website: https://www.natcom.org/spiritual-communication-division

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Student Section

The Student Section is seeking submissions from students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Student Section endeavors to highlight competitive emerging student scholars’ work in the field of Communication Studies. Within the Student Section, it is particularly important to continually examine how we organize our program for the convention in ways that make our call. Our panels reflect the diverse amount of inquiry and scholarship within and related to our field. We also welcome scholarship by students from all forms of academic institutions.

With this in mind, we especially welcome scholarship that highlights the 2025 theme of Communicate to Elevate, to take place at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. Communication scholarship is central to exploring freedom, challenging the notion of freedom, and offering solutions for individuals, groups, and societies to attain freedom.

The Student Section also invites competitive scholarship outside of the convention theme. We invite individual paper submissions (including paper submissions and scholar-to-scholar sessions) and panel discussion submissions.

The Student Section will award two Top Paper distinctions, one to an Undergraduate submission and one to a Graduate submission. Guidelines for top paper selection are available upon request.

To provide as many students’ opportunities as possible, students may only submit (or be the author of) one piece of scholarship per submission type to the student section.

Regardless of submission type, all must meet the following requirements:

All submissions must be submitted online to NCA Convention Central.
All submissions must be completely authored by students. In other words, at the time of submission, all authors must be enrolled as a graduate or undergraduate students.
Please do not submit the same submission to more than one division.
Audio/visual equipment for your submission must be made at the time of submission.
If you are an undergraduate student, please write “UNDERGRADUATE” in the footer of your paper.

Submission Descriptions

SUBMITTING AN INDIVIDUAL PAPER

A paper is submitted directly by an author(s) for consideration as an individual paper and not part of a pre-conceived paper session (the Student Section does not accept paper sessions). Papers are reviewed individually. Papers can be quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, or conceptual – but a full study/paper must be submitted.

Submitted competitive papers should include:

A title
A 250-word abstract of the paper
Author(s) information entered into the electronic submission form
3-5 keywords
Upload a complete manuscript with no more than 30 pages of the main text (not including title page, notes/appendices, and/or references).
Remove all information identifying the author(s) from the paper, title, and description. Also, remove author information from the document’s “Properties.”
SCHOLAR-TO-SCHOLAR SUBMISSIONS: If you believe your individual paper could be presented in a non-traditional format, check the box in NCA Convention Central to indicate your willingness to present research in a scholar-to-scholar session. Doing so may increase the chance of your submission being slotted for presentation. Your presentation should be able to utilize an interactive element (e.g., laptop displays, poster session, experimental activities). It should be formatted in a way that you can display your work and receive feedback from other scholars). For more information on Scholar-To-Scholar submissions, see the following website from NCA: https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library/scholar-scholar-faqs-and-tips

SUBMITTING A PANEL DISCUSSION

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic/issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. A panel discussion consists of a group of panelists openly discussing a specific topic. The student section does not accept paper sessions, only individual papers. Still, we are happy to offer recommendations for other divisions for paper sessions if that is something students are interested in submitting. We highly recommend you have written out notes and thought of what you might contribute before your presentation. Panel Discussions relating to the convention theme “Honoring PLACE” and relevance to graduate student life are highly encouraged. Each panel discussion should focus on how to encourage audience participation and discussion.

Submitted panel discussions should include:

A title for the Panel Discussion
A rationale statement (500 words maximum).
A description of each panelist and their relationship to the discussion topic (100 words maximum for each panelist).
A panel description for the online convention programs (75 words).
Submitted panels should also include a chair and each presenter’s name and affiliation.
Submissions must include presenters from multiple institutions.
A single person should not serve more than one role in a submission (i.e., a presenter should not also be chair).
All participants in the panel must be students.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submission. For additional information on how to submit, check the NCA Convention Resource Library website (www.natcom.org/conventionresources) for more details.

Questions?

If you have a question about the call or if a submission is appropriate for the section, all questions can be directed to the Student Section Vice-Chair:

Katelynn Kuijpers

Vice-Chair, Student Section

University of Delaware

Department of Communication

katelk@udel.edu

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Theatre, Film and New Multi-Media Division

The Theatre, Film, and New Multi-Media (TFNMM) Division is a supportive, diverse, and expanding community of educators, scholars, artists, administrators, critics, and students who encourage the active exchange of ideas. We pursue all areas of creativity, research, and teaching while exploring the new trends and technologies through which our disciplines interface. The integration of TFNMM is currently reflected on Broadway; in resident and university theatre and opera productions; in classrooms, rehearsal halls, on screens, stages, and soundstages around the world; and in the increasing number of NCA Convention presentations devoted to the multidisciplinary nature of TFNMM. Therefore, we recognize—and celebrate as mutually supportive activities—the importance of teaching, scholarship, artistic practice, advocacy, and mentoring in TFNMM.

Specifically, the TFNMM Division strives to explore and establish the dynamic connections (1) between theatre and related disciplines, such as film, electronic media (television and radio), new multi-media production or performance (gaming and game creation, online programming and performance, social media, and more), plus other areas of communication; and (2) within the varied and collaborative arts of theatre and film, plus their history, theory, and practice. New members are welcome from other institutions as well as NCA divisions and interest groups.

General Information About the Convention Theme & TFNMM Division Call

The NCA 111th Annual Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025. The Theatre, Film, and New Multi-Media (TFNMM) Division joins with the NCA 2nd Vice President, Tina M. Harris in inviting paper, panel, film, performance, extended abstract, multimedia, and special annual TFNMM program submissions that examine questions related to 2025’s theme of “Communicate to Elevate.” The NCA 2nd Vice President claims that “Communicate to Elevate is metaphorical and celebratory, tipping a hat to the Mile-High City that will be our host city.”

In addition, Dr. Harris adds that “Communicate to Elevate” highlights two specific meanings. “First, it speaks to . . . our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are ‘lifting as we climb,’ ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others as we navigate the difficult terrains that we oftentimes face. Continuing to do so through trials and tribulations, but especially when we are triumphant over them. We actively seek opportunities to help others regardless of how successful we become. We mentor, advise, and support because it is a way to give back what was given to us or what we wished we had received. As we ascend to higher heights, we commit to bringing others along and creating spaces where others can thrive as well. Let’s put this into practice at the conference and submit papers, panels, and more that help us continue striving towards being the inclusive, transparent and support organization we are constantly working to be.

Second, Communicating to Elevate was created to conjure up a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship we are all committed to creating. We are taking everything we do to the next level, and we cannot do it alone. We must come together as a beautifully complex and diverse community whose differences are celebrated, communicated, appreciated, and respected. This also means that we are actively prioritizing communication and in its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work. Communicating to Elevate requires that we work towards growth and continually affirm our evolution and existence as a field. The conference is a sustained opportunity to amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are. Communication is fundamental to every aspect of life, and without our scholarship or instruction, where would the field be? Where is the field going? Together, we can play an essential role in determining our future, one filled with hope and promise.”

Students and scholars in our fields of theatre, film, and multi-media are well-suited to address the theme of “Communicate to Elevate” because of its connection to the positivity and diversity of communication across our multidisciplinary fields and subfields.

We welcome a diverse range of topics, formats, theoretical approaches, methodologies, and voices. We call for submissions of high quality—integrated scholarly works of research, performance, improvisation, film, and/or multi-media.

As Dr. Harris states, “We are a beautiful community in terms of our race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender, ideologies, politics, and spirituality as well as a multitude of theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical orientations. These qualities are what make us an Association of which we all can be proud. We are continuing to evolve into an organization committed to Communicating to Elevate, becoming better, stronger, and kinder through growth and change.”

The TFNMM Division invites a variety of types of submissions for the 2025 NCA Convention in Denver, Colorado:

- Panel discussions, such as discussion forums, workshops, and debates;
- Theme-based paper sessions;
- Individual paper submissions;
- Individual film submissions;
- Individual performance submissions;
- Extended Abstract submissions;
- New multi-media submissions;
- Performances and/or screenings of (and conversations about) mediated texts or films, special readings, and theatrical, musical, and/or dance-related performances;
- Special annual TFNMM Division sessions, such as the Acting, Performance, & Improv Exercise Exchange and the Great Creative, Pedagogical Ideas session.
- All proposals must be submitted online through NCA Convention Central.
- Submissions become available on Thursday, January 30 and end on Monday, March 31, 2025 Pacific Time. All deadlines will be published by NCA with any corrections noted.

Uploaded supporting files should not include any identifying information to ensure anonymous reviews, whether papers, performances, films, or multimedia presentations.

For presenters, we encourage the use of visual media (PowerPoint slides, videos, and so on), the extemporaneous style of delivery (rather than reading), and audience interaction.

For Individual Paper Submissions, only use PDF files. They are the most reliable format for submission uploads.
All A/V equipment needs must be requested at the time of submission to secure availability; no exceptions to this policy. AV equipment provided by NCA includes: laptop audio, LCD projector, and Internet connections. NCA does not provide equipment, such as laptops, transparency projectors, VCR or DVD players, camcorders, satellite links, or teleconference/webinar equipment. On-site rentals may be possible, but at each individual’s or institution’s expense.
No paper or panel sessions should consist of participants from only one institution.
No individual may fill more than one role in any given session.
All submitters are encouraged to review the Convention Anti-Harassment Code of Conduct, the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants, and A Code of Professional Ethics for the Communication Scholar/Teacher prior to submission and to access helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit in the Convention Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

First, the TFNMM Division encourages Convention theme-based panels, papers, and performances. Please develop sessions that deal explicitly and provocatively with the theme of “Communicate to Elevate” and sessions that fit within the mission of our division.

Second, the TFNMM Division invites multidisciplinary proposals that encourage both cross-disciplinary scholarship within and outside our division, including co-sponsorships. In order to broaden our perspectives and increase participation, session Chairs are encouraged to seek presenters, panelists, or performers from our divisions’ disciplines as well as from other general institutions or NCA divisions and interest groups. Co-sponsorships empower two or more units to promote sessions together and, therefore, to increase attendance. Please contact Patricia Friel (patricia.friel@uc.edu), the TFNMM Division’s 2025 Vice Chair of Programs, for assistance communicating with any unit’s vice chair of programs regarding co-sponsorship(s).

Third, Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) sessions are encouraged to expand our sessions. Innovative visual and aural work, multi-media projects, and interactive presentations lend themselves particularly well to the S2S format. Please send your proposals initially to the TFNMM Division, checking off the S2S box alone or in concert with other possible presentation formats of interest, and we will send your proposals on to the S2S unit if we are unable to locate an available and appropriate forum for your work within our Division. This way, we expand our opportunities to serve the division and you and, if one or more S2S sessions are accepted from our division, we are able to provide “wandering scholars” to offer feedback to S2S presenters. Please remember, a S2S session is not a subordinate presentation format; rather it expands our options for accepting excellent work when other available and appropriately coordinated forums cannot be located.

Fourth, we are especially interested in proposals that push the limits of what “new” multi-media has been, what it is, and what it will be. Scholarly and creative topics for submissions might include diverse topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), social media (TikTok, YouTube, etc.), video games, virtual reality, and any other multi-mediated forms of communication.

Group Performances, Panel Discussions, &Theme-Based Paper Sessions, Workshops, And Exervises

The TFNMM Division encourages creative and engaging performances—theatrical, musical, and/or dance-related; film-related; electronic or mediated; poetic; interactive, or other. We also encourage various uses of current and traditional technologies. You may submit multiple files with your submissions, if you, for example, have a recording and/or script. All group performance submissions must include the following: 1) a title, 2) a short abstract of no more than 75 words, 3) a script and/or recording/pictures (please provide URL links to recording/pictures), 4) the length of the performance, and 5) NCA A/V equipment requests.

Please use mp3 or mp4 files for recorded performances. Note that the size limit for uploaded files in Convention Central is 200MB. Submitters with larger files should upload a Word doc/docx with a link to the file on another platform.

Panel discussions

Including discussion forums, workshops, debates, screenings of (and conversations about) mediated texts, special readings and performances of various kinds, should include the following: 1) panel title, 2) a short description of no more than 75 words, 3) a rationale, 4) names of Chair(s), Presenters, Panelists, Performers, Respondent(s), their affiliations, and contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, and 5) NCA A/V equipment requests.

All theme-based paper sessions should list the following: 1) session title, 2) a short description of no more than 75 words, 3) a rationale, 4) a title and comprehensive abstract of each paper, 5) names of author(s), Chair(s), Respondent(s), their affiliations, and contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, and 6) NCA A/V equipment requests.

Individual Paper Submissions

The TFNMM Division encourages short presentations that will lead to intriguing and important conversations. All individual paper submissions must include the following: 1) a title, 2) a short abstract of no more than 75 words, 3) the uploaded paper text or an extended comprehensive abstract, 4) whether this is a student paper, 5) whether this is a debut paper, and 6) NCA A/V equipment requests.

Completed papers are encouraged but extended comprehensive abstracts also will be accepted and judged competitively. Include a maximum of 25 double-spaced pages exclusive of references, appendices, and footnotes. “Debut” indicates a submission by a presenter who has never presented a paper at a regional or national conference. Debut awards may be presented. The top student debut paper will receive the NCA TFNMM Division’s “Debut Scholar Award,” which will be submitted for the NCA Cushman Award.

Individual Film Submissions

All individual film submissions must include the following: 1) a title, 2) a short abstract of no more than 75 words, 3) a script and/or recording (please provide URL links to completed films), 4) length of film, and 5) NCA A/V equipment requests.

Individual films should be no longer than 10 minutes in length. However, you may edit your film to an appropriate length for the conference. Presentation time at the convention may be less than 10 minutes (or even more) depending upon the number of presenters and films.

Note that the size limit for uploaded files in Convention Central is 200MB. Submitters with larger files should upload a Word document with a link to the file on another platform.

Individual Performance Submissions

All individual performance submissions must include the following: 1) a title, 2) a short abstract of no more than 75 words, 3) a script and/or recording/pictures (please provide URL links to recordings/pictures), 4) length of the performance, and 5) NCA A/V equipment requests.

Individual performances should be no longer than 10 minutes in length. However, you may edit your performance to an appropriate length for the conference. Completed scripts/performances are strongly encouraged. Please include a URL links of photos/videos of your performance, if available. Presentation time at the convention may be less than 10 minutes (or even more) depending upon the number of presenters and performances.

New Multi-Media Submissions

New multi-media submissions include creative and/or scholarly works such as video essays, documentaries, audio papers, photo essays, social media posts, and/or other forms of media used in new ways that push the limits of what media can communicate. We are especially interested in proposals that push the limits of what “new” multi-media has been, what it is, and it will be. Scholarly and creative topics for submissions might include diverse topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), social media (TikTok, YouTube, etc.), video games, virtual reality, and any other multi-mediated forms of communication.

All new multi-media submissions must include the following: 1) a title, 2) a short abstract of no more than 75 words, 3) a script and/or recording/pictures (please provide URL links to recordings/pictures), 4) length of the performance/presentation, and 5) NCA A/V equipment requests. Please include a URL link of photos/videos of your project/performance, if available. Multi-media presentations should be no longer than 10 minutes in length. Presentation time at the convention may be less than 10 minutes (or even more) depending upon the number of presenters and media used.

Extended Abstracts Submissions

Extended Abstracts: Extended abstracts will be considered for papers, short plays, performances, films, and other forms of multi-media creative and scholarly work, both completed and in progress. Extended abstracts should be between 1,000-1,500 words (not including references). If your abstract is accepted, then two weeks before the conference, final papers or scripts must be sent to panel respondents. Accepted extended abstracts may be grouped with other extended abstracts or added to paper panels, at the discretion of the division planner. You may indicate your preference.

To apply for this combination panel, please select EXTENDED ABSTRACT in the submission choice option. If you have any questions about this special program, please reach out to Patricia Friel (patricia.friel@uc.edu), the 2025 TFNMM Division’s Vice Chair of Programs.

TFNMM Division Annual Awards

Based on submissions received, the TFNMM Division offers the following possible awards annually: top student paper(s); top film(s); and top paper(s). When warranted, we also recognize and reward mid-career and lifetime achievement.

NCA Special Programming

In addition to submissions to the TFNMM Division, we also remind submitters about traditional NCA programming, which expands your opportunities. For example, you are invited, as always, to check the calls for Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S.), Pre-conference Events, Short Courses, Teachers on Teaching, Research in Progress Roundtables, and so on.

We look forward to a robust set of submissions and an exciting program lineup for Denver’s 111th NCA Convention!

2025 TFNMM PROGRAM CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Patricia Friel, Professor & Academic Program Coordinator, Communication & Theatre

Social Sciences & Humanities Department

University of Cincinnati Clermont

Patricia.friel@uc.edu or frielpe@ucmail.uc.edu

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Training and Development Division

The purpose of the Training & Development (T&D) Division provides a home for those within and outside of academia interested and involved in training, learning, and organizational development. We contribute scholarship and applications to develop people, teams, and organizations. We help with organizational and cultural development, onboarding, behavioral and skills training, change management, leadership development, coaching, and conflict resolution, among other development areas. We strive to enhance corporations, governments, non-profit organizations, and our shared greater society.

We strive to create a world where scholarly discourse, informed application, and continuous learning promote responsible communication practices. We enhance the efforts of professional communication researchers and practitioners dedicated to applying communication and adult learning theory in multiple learning environments.

We establish the crucial connection between academic and professional landscapes.

The T&D Division invites submissions on topics relevant to the research, theory, and practice of training, learning, and development. We encourage creative submissions that unite separate areas of study and integrate ideas throughout the communication discipline. We appreciate entries that analyze highly relevant current trends, share best practices, examine future directions for research and teaching, and offer a vision for our discipline.

We prioritize submissions that appeal to the broader NCA audience and showcase the integration of theory and practice to offer practical and immediate benefits for our audiences.

The T&D Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

An original paper unrelated to other entries (i.e., not submitted as part of a preconceived paper session).

Process: The individual, competitive papers undergo review and are later grouped into paper sessions by the program planners. Accepted submissions should emphasize practical, applied implications and be delivered at the convention extemporaneously or conversationally.

In a single PDF please include the following:

A title
A description
Three (3) keywords
An entry that does not exceed 25 double-spaced pages in 12-point font. The page limit does not include tables or references.
Special requests and AV (audio/video) needs

Please DO NOT include any identifiable information to enable blind review.

Paper Sessions

A group of papers presented as a cohesive session linked by a theme, methodological approach, or another salient factor. We especially encourage multiple viewpoints and voices across academic and nonacademic institutions (e.g., scholars at different universities and practitioners at diverse organizations).

Process: We review all papers collectively as a complete session. Please include:

A title for the session
A session description
A rationale for the session
Titles, author(s) information, and abstracts for each presentation/paper
Chair (required) and respondent (optional), along with institutional affiliation
Special requests and AV (audio/video) needs

Panel Discussions

A roundtable panel or other alternative presentation formats (e.g., brief entries related to a common theme). Sessions can center around themes, methodological approaches, or other unifying factors related to training and development. We especially encourage multiple viewpoints and voices across academic and nonacademic institutions (e.g., scholars at different universities and practitioners at diverse organizations). Higher-density panels with many strong discussants are strongly preferred.

Process: Submissions for panels should include:

A title for the session
A session description
A rationale for the session
Chair (required) and respondent (optional), along with institutional affiliation
A list of presenters and their affiliations
A review of the core content/perspectives/topic area to be covered by the presenters and their background in the area(s)
A brief review of how you plan to drive engagement with our audience
Special requests and AV (audio/video) needs

Additional tips:

Please dedicate at least 30 minutes to facilitate dialogue and discussion on the panel topic. When outlining your rationale, pay special attention to how the session will enhance the T&D field and attract participation and active involvement from members of the T&D division and convention attendees.

Additional Submission Information

Please electronically submit all entries to NCA’s Convention Central
Please identify student submissions of papers by selecting the correct box on the electronic submission form
AV requests must be made at the time of submission

Ways to Earn an Award for Top Papers and Panels

Demonstrate the relevance to the communication-based T&D field, especially with theory and practice
Create a professional and sound entry (e.g., adherence to scholarly norms)
Potential to attract and involve many attendees from T&D and other NCA divisions

Reminder About Professional Standards

Potential Ideas for T&D Submissions

While the T&D division will accept submissions on topics relevant to the research, theory, and practice of training, learning, and development, we especially invite entries centered on the conference theme, “Communicate to Elevate” Here are some potential questions to help you brainstorm:

How might T&D applied research and practice encourage elevated communication across interpersonal, team, and organizational contexts to promote successful learning and development?
What role can consultants play to break the boundaries between academic and non-academic spaces?
How might T&D professionals communicate to elevate?

Listed below are other ideas to help you brainstorm:

Other potential ideas: Skill development, supervisory, management, and leadership training, learning and development, team development, communication skills, individual and/or executive coaching, consulting, development and change engagement, intercultural, diversity and international training contexts, training ethics, training and development processes (including the preparation, execution, assessment and critique of T&D programs).

Papers can be in a variety of formats including research reports, case studies, theoretical developments or critiques, critical analyses, essays, and literature reviews.

Questions?

For any questions regarding the Training & Development Division programming, please contact:

Allie Lucas

T&D Division Co-Chair

arlucas@wayne.edu

Courtney Powers

T&D Division Co-Chair

powersc@uww.edu

Division

Submit

Undergraduate College and University Section

The Undergraduate College and University Section (UCUS) invites submissions for extended abstracts, individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the National Communication Association’s 111th Annual Convention in Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2025. UCUS addresses the interests of faculty and administrators in small to mid-sized undergraduate colleges and universities. It offers a forum for exploring teaching, research, and administration, and particularly for exploring how these areas are related.

Please note: this section is for issues and research focused on undergraduate education or undergraduate colleges and universities and is NOT the “student section” of NCA. If you are a student seeking to submit a paper to this section, please be sure your research addresses the specific focus of the section (as identified above). We suggest you confer with your communication faculty for assistance in determining the proper venue for your research or email the planner of this section.

This year’s convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate” gives us an opportunity to explore and share how we utilize our classrooms to support “lift as we climb.” We invite thought-provoking papers, panels, and programming that engage the goals of the theme “Communicate to Elevate:” (1) our duty as communication scholars and teachers to strive to help others reach their potential, to “lift as we climb;” and (2) to conjure motivation and excitement towards our continued innovation and growth in the Communication discipline.

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Relevance to the Section, Contribution to Knowledge, Execution (submission is theoretically and methodologically sound), Writing Quality, and Connection to Convention Theme. Submissions will be accepted in the following four categories: extended abstract, individual paper, paper session, and panel discussion.

We are interested in scholarship that cuts across other subdisciplines and will work to partner with other divisions to co-sponsor sessions where applicable. Please identify in your submission if your proposal aligns with one or more of the other units or sections of NCA.

IMPORTANT SUBMISSION NOTES: All submissions must be completed electronically through NCA Convention Central, accessible through the NCA website. Audio-visual requests (e.g., LCD projector and screen) must be made at the time of submission. The same abstract, paper, or proposal may not be submitted to more than one unit or section. The system will not accept late submissions.

Extended Abstracts

We welcome extended abstracts in two forms: 1. Research proposal that will not be completed by NCA 2025, and 2. Research in progress that will be completed by NCA 2025. Author(s) should clearly note on the cover page which form of extended abstract they are submitting (see submission instructions below). Although “research” is included in the descriptions, submissions may include empirical research, theoretical developments or critiques, or critical analyses. Submitted abstracts should include the following:

A title, a 250-word (maximum) abstract, and the extended abstract in PDF format.
Identify whether the extended abstract will not be completed by NCA 2025 (i.e., research proposal) OR will be completed by NCA 2025 (i.e., research in progress) on the first page of the paper.
Extended abstracts should be double-spaced (12 pt. font) and not exceed 12 pages of text (not including references or end materials such as appendixes or tables).
For anonymous review, papers must remove identifying information in the uploaded document.

For detailed information on submitting an unidentifiable copy, please consult the NCA Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

Individual Papers

We welcome papers addressing issues of interest to faculty and administrators at undergraduate institutions. Papers should be “stand-alone” items, not ones that are part of a preconceived paper session. Each paper is reviewed individually. Papers may include empirical research reports, theoretical developments or critiques, or critical analyses. Accepted papers will then be assigned to a panel at the convention with other competitively selected papers. Submitted papers should include the following:

A title, a 250-word (maximum) abstract, and a completed paper in PDF format.
Identify whether the paper is a student-authored paper on the first page of the paper.
Papers should be double-spaced (12 pt. font) and not exceed 25 pages of text (not including references or end materials such as appendixes or tables).
For anonymous review, papers must remove identifying information in the uploaded document.
Identify consideration for Scholar to Scholar (see below).

For detailed information on submitting an unidentifiable copy, please consult the NCA Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

Scholar to Scholar

Scholar to Scholar is an interactive presentation format where participants display their work using creative posters, digital slides, and other media to engage in conversation with “wandering scholars” in attendance. Your submission will be reviewed by our division but may then be scheduled during a larger NCA Scholar-to-Scholar session. S2S sessions are particularly suitable for those interested in more individual scholarly discussion, those seeking personal feedback on their work, and those who might want to present with alternative formats. If you would like your submission to be considered for Scholar to Scholar, check the appropriate agreement box on the NCA Convention Central form as you submit. For more information on Scholar to Scholar, visit https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library/scholar-scholar-faqs-and-tips

Paper Sessions

A paper session is submitted as a complete session of titled papers centered on a common topic or theme. These papers are not submitted or reviewed individually but are reviewed in total. The session should include participants from different institutions. Submitted paper session proposals should include the following:

A title for the overall session.
An overall description of the session of no more than 150 words.
A rationale of no more than 300 words for the whole session.
A list of author(s) information with their affiliations, paper title, and a 100-200-word description for each paper to be presented.
List a chair (required) who is not a panelist.
List a respondent (optional).

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is submitted as a preconceived and complete session of presenters discussing various aspects of a specific topic or issue. Only the panel itself is given a title, and no papers are presented during this roundtable discussion. The session should include participants from different institutions. Submitted panel discussion proposals should include the following:

One title for the panel session.
An overall description of no more than 150 words for the whole panel.
A rationale for the whole panel.
A list of the presenters and their affiliations, and a brief description of no more than 100 words for each presenter as to their expertise on, or contribution to, the discussion topic should be included as a supporting file.
List a chair (required) who is not a discussion panelist.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants available on the Convention Resource Library page at http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/ before submission. Submitters can access “how-to” guides, sample submissions, and other useful resources.

Per NCA policy, all those who submit papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions agree to attend the NCA convention to present should their submissions be accepted.

Questions?

Please submit questions regarding submissions for UCUS directly to:

Shweta Srivastava
Undergraduate College and University Section Program Planner
Monmouth College
SSRIVASTAVA@monmouthcollege.edu

Division

Submit

Visual Communication Division

The Visual Communication Division invites submissions for the 111th Annual National Communication Association Convention in Denver, Colorado on November 20-23, 2025.

The division aims to explore the theories and practices of visual communication, including the use, display, and manipulation of still and moving images, graphic design, symbols, visual perception, visual spaces, and material culture. The Visual Communication Division invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, panel discussions, works-in-progress/research escalator papers (new for 2025), and performance sessions. Panel and performance formats that encourage audience interaction and conversation are particularly welcome. Questions regarding the submission of alternative format panel ideas for review should be sent to the program planner prior to the submission deadline.

Submissions that develop the conference theme of “Communicate to Elevate” are highly encouraged. While the division wishes to promote scholarship that advances insight on the convention theme in a number of its presentation sections, well-developed projects and panels that address the theory and practice of visual communication in a substantial way, but do not address directly the convention theme, also are welcome.

Individuals may present only one paper in the Visual Communication Division, whether submitted as an individual paper or as a part of a paper session. Individuals may serve within the division as chairs, respondents, and/or participants on non-traditional panels in addition to presenting a single paper. However, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, or presenter) in the same submission. Paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions that include individuals representing multiple institutions are highly preferred.

The division presents an award for the top individual paper submitted to the conference each year (paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions are not considered for this award). Individual paper submissions from students are considered for the Cushman Award for top student paper. We will also announce calls for the division’s annual book, dissertation and published paper award in 2025 (these are not submitted through the convention system).

The division looks forward to reviewing the exceptional work being done by folks from across the discipline and country, and to convening for engaging discussions.

General Submissions Information

All submissions must be submitted electronically via NCA Convention Central. Email submissions and late submissions are not accepted.
All submissions to the division will be peer reviewed using a standardized evaluation form. Those peer reviews will form the basis of acceptance or rejection for programming by the division planner.
Each submission should only be under review to the Visual Communication Division. Submitters should not send the same materials to multiple divisions and/or affiliate groups.
Requests for specific AV equipment or other accommodations must be entered online at the time of submission for paper, session, and discussion proposals. The division will try its best to communicate those requests to the conference planner but cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled.
Submitting a paper, panel, or performance is a commitment to attend the convention if the work is accepted for presentation. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants (https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf) prior to submission.
Helpful resources, including recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library: https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library.

Submitting A Competitive Individual Paper

Individual papers are original pieces of written research completed by the author(s) prior to the submission deadline that they wish to subject to peer review for the convention. Individual papers should include: a title; an abstract; and a main text of no more than 25 double-spaced pages using 12-point type (excluding tables and references). Please identify student submissions by selecting the correct box on the electronic submission form. Please indicate whether you would be willing to present at a Scholar to Scholar session by selecting the Scholar to Scholar box on the submission form.

Note: To ensure blind review, submitters must remove their name from their paper and the paper properties before uploading the document to NCA Convention Central. Author information must be provided in NCA Convention Central’s submission digital interface, but that information will be concealed from reviewers.

Submitting A Paper Sessions

A paper session consists of a group of presenters who present completed research papers on a specific topic. Papers may be completed prior to the submission of the panel discussion, but full papers are not required to be submitted to the NCA Convention Central for peer review. However, final papers should be completed, if accepted, prior to the convention on a timeline coordinated with the panel organizer, chair, and respondent. Paper session proposals should include: a title for the session; a session description; a rationale; title, author(s) information, and abstracts for each paper (350 words maximum for each paper); and session chair/respondent information.

Submitting A Panel Discussion

A panel discussion may include roundtable panels, as well as other alternative presentation formats. Panel discussion proposals should include: a title for the panel; a panel description; a rationale for the panel discussion; a list of presenters and their affiliations; and a chair for the panel discussion.

Submitting A Work-In-Progress/Research Escalator Paper

Research escalator papers are original pieces of written research that are ongoing works in progress the author(s) wish to workshop at the convention. Work-in-progress papers should include: a title; an abstract; and a main text of no more than 3 double-spaced pages using 12-point type (excluding tables and references). The main text of these papers should include proposed theoretical framework and methods, data collection status and any preliminary findings. Work-in-progress/research escalator papers are intended primarily for students and early career researchers who want to workshop their paper with senior scholar(s) at the convention and do not intend to submit for publication prior to the convention. Please identify student submissions by selecting the correct box on the electronic submission form.

Submitting A Performance Session

A visual communication performance may be interpreted broadly but could include scripted monologues, group productions, or visual production projects. Performance session proposals should include: a session title; a session description; a session rationale; title and description for each performance a list of presenters and their affiliations; any supplemental supporting documentation that would help peer reviewers and the division planner determine the quality of the proposal (e.g., a video or script); and any chair/respondent information (if applicable).

Note: If you wish to provide a video, please upload a word document with the URL to where the video can be viewed online. Due to file size limitations, submitters cannot upload videos to NCA Convention Central.

Questions?

Please address questions to the Program Planner:

Jessy Ohl at jjohl@ua.edu.

Division

Submit

Caucuses

Asian/Pacific American Caucus

The Asian/Pacific American Caucus (APAC) of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025.

The Asian/Pacific American Caucus (APAC) aims to cultivate connections among Asian/Pacific American scholars and empower historically marginalized voices within the caucus. It also promotes spaces that foster conversations on diasporic and transnational challenges and joys, exploring the intersection of diverse cultural identities within the inter-Asian/Pacific American context. APAC supports transnational connections between communities in the Americas and globally, including the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and indigenous communities across these regions. Our work intends to bring the joy of connection and addresses the complexities of culture, globalization, identity, and politics both within and beyond the United States.

In light of the 2025 convention theme, the Asian/Pacific American Caucus encourages submissions that interrogate and connect to this year’s theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” introduced by NCA’s First Vice President, Dr. Tina Harris. The convention theme invites us to engage in the nature of communication to elevate, emerging from the A/PA communities’ particular historical and contemporary conditions.

Submitters may consider the following guiding questions, among others: How does communication research, teaching, service, and practice from the APAC/SD communities foster communication to elevate? What intentional contributions should APAC/SD communities be actively undertaking to promote communication to elevate? How do we create opportunities to “lift as we climb”? How does our scholarship strive to realize potential within A/PA communities? How can we collectively elevate our scholarship as APAC/SD members? How can we amplify the myriad voices, realities, and experiences that shape our work and identity?

The Asian/Pacific American Caucus will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Panel Discussions, and Performance Sessions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted.

Competitive Individual Papers (reviewed anonymously)

Manuscripts must be original material, not presented at any other scholarly conference, and not published or accepted for publication at the time of submission.
Submissions must include a maximum 25-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper, with 1-inch margins and 12-point font (excluding references, tables, figures, cover page, and footnotes).Each paper must contain an abstract of up to 150 words.
Submissions should include a title, paper description (abstract), and keywords in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form.
To ensure anonymous review, the uploaded paper file must not contain any information identifying the author. Submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper, including the title page and headers, and clear the document’s embedded properties before uploading. Author information will be collected separately in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.
For student paper submissions, please select “student” in the electronic form. All authors must be students in this case.

Scholar-to-Scholar Consideration:

Paper Sessions (not anonymous)

Submissions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum), a rationale for the session (500 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair (and respondent, if applicable). A session chair is required, while a respondent is optional.
Submissions must include titles, descriptions (500 words maximum) and author(s) information for each paper.
Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions (not anonymous)

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-arranged and complete session where panelists discuss a specific topic or issue. When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

Submissions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum), a rationale for the session (500 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair. A session chair is required.
Submissions should include the names and affiliations of each presenter involved.
Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions. A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Performance Sessions (not anonymous):

Submitted performance sessions should include a session title, a description of the session (75 words maximum) for the online convention program, a rationale for the session (250 words maximum), and name and affiliation of the session chair (and respondent, if applicable). A session chair is required, while a respondent is optional.

Submissions should include separate performance titles, performance descriptions (250 words maximum), and performer’s information for each performance included in the session.
Performance sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions.
A single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, performer, etc.) in a submission.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Asian/Pacific American Communication Studies Division programming, please contact:

Emi Kanemoto
APAC/SD Vice Chair & Program Planner
ekanemoto@bryant.edu

Division

Submit

Black Caucus

Please note that individual paper submissions should be sent to the African American Communication and Culture Division. The Black Caucus accepts paper sessions, panel discussions, and individual performances.

*Additionally, please do not submit repeat papers, panels and/or abstracts to several caucuses and/or divisions*

The Black Caucus is centrally concerned with advocacy, policy, law, ethics, practice, and procedures regarding the practical and philosophical matters of what it means to identify as Black and/or African American in communication contexts in and outside academia. The interests of the Caucus also encompass the substance of intersectionality as it shapes individual and collective communicative experiences across the Diaspora. The Black Caucus is especially interested in critical work attending to COVID-19 communication and disparities; education, electoral politics, and their effects on national and international race relations, policies, and politics; policing and the carceral system, community relations and political action; sexual, gender, and racial violence; and other social, cultural, and political concerns.

The Black Caucus also seeks paper sessions, panel discussions, and individual performances that engage the convention theme: “Communicate to Elevate.” As a caucus —that embraces scholarship, research and discourse that is rooted in the history of the Black diaspora, which has routinely been disregarded in the scholastic field — this theme encapsulates our core essence to showcase and uplift Black experiences and scholarship. Accordingly, submissions engaging with the conference theme may address but are certainly not limited to the following topics: criminal justice reform, misogynoir, environmental racism, voter suppression, digital divide and equality.

The Black Caucus is very much interested in collaborating with other caucuses and divisions. If you have paper sessions or panel submissions that you think maybe a fit with the Black Caucus and with another division or caucus, please clearly indicate in your submission.

All submissions must be made through NCA’s Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions provided in the Convention Library. The following are general guidelines for submissions to the Black Caucus:

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a session title, a session description, a session rationale, titles and abstracts or descriptions of each paper. All papers should include complete author information (affiliation, name, email address, physical address, and phone number). A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance by outlining the importance and relevance of the submission to the convention theme and to the Black Caucus.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and a detailed description of the session. Submissions must include the name of each presenter and the title of each presenter’s contribution. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance and relevance of the submission to the convention theme.

Individual Performances

Submissions should include the following:

The title of the performance
Name/s and affiliations of performer(s)
A 100-word description (abstract) of the performance or script where appropriate
Keywords
Uploaded files(s) of the script (where appropriate) and link to video. The accompanying video should not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds as it is meant to be a sample of the intended performance.
A rationale for acceptance outlining the importance and relevance of the submission to the convention theme.
Other types of performance panels (e.g., multiple performances addressing a unified subject or theme, one person, or full-cast shows) should be submitted as a Performance Session to the Performance Studies division.

Audio Visual requests must be made at the time of submission. Paper sessions and panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Black Caucus programming, please contact:

Kesha James, PhD
Vice Chair, Black Caucus
kjames78@gsu.edu

Division

Submit

Caribbean Communication Caucus

The Caribbean Communication Caucus (CCC) is one of the newest caucuses in the Association. The Caribbean is a uniquely diverse region that has been crucial in the histories of the Americas and Europe. The Caribbean’s rich and complex diversity, cultures, histories, politics, religions, and environments are not yet widely researched within the Communication discipline.

The Mission of the Caribbean Caucus

The mission of the CCC is to “elucidate the complexities of Caribbean cultures, identities, and histories, including the diaspora, from Caribbean communication perspectives and methodologies.”

Submissions

The Caucus invites submissions that align with the convention’s theme: “Communicate to Elevate” with the focus on elevating as encompassing conscientious and intentional practices of respect, consideration, care, concern, empathy, understanding, and sensitivity. “Elevate” emphasizes fostering positive and constructive environments for interaction and engagement.

We encourage submissions that underscore the significance, relevance, and value of communication research related to the Caribbean and the Diaspora, with a focus on building a community among communication scholars interested in political and/or social issues pertinent to the region. We seek submissions that facilitate discussions on decolonizing the discipline by embracing and privileging knowledge, agency, cultures, identities, and histories beyond North American and European perspectives. The CCC is also interested in cross-cultural and intersectional scholarship and welcomes collaboration with partners from other divisions and caucuses. We particularly value partnerships that advance cross-cultural and intersectional work, supporting NCA scholars in African, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx Diaspora, and Creole scholarship pertaining to the Caribbean. Authors are encouraged to indicate in their submissions if their scholarship aligns with any specific divisions or caucuses and express interest in potential partnerships. Furthermore, the Caribbean Communication Caucus invites submissions that contribute specifically to the convention theme—”Communicate to Elevate.”

The Caribbean Caucus Communication Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Individual Films, Film Sessions, Individual Performances, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

A paper submitted directly by an author as a stand-alone paper and not part of a preconceived session. Individual papers must advance topics/issues/areas of interest that fit into the mission and purpose of the Caribbean Communication Caucus. Individual papers are reviewed and then grouped into paper sessions by the unit planner for presentation.

Individual Paper Requirements

A title and abstract that describes the work (250 words maximum)
Entry of all authors
An uploaded copy of the paper: The maximum length of an uploaded paper is 25 double-spaced pages, excluding references, tables, charts, and appendices. No information identifying the author(s) may appear in the body of your abstract or your paper upload. Instructions on how to prepare a blind copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library.

Paper Sessions

A preconceived and complete session of papers surrounding a particular topic in which each author(s) presents their own paper. Paper sessions representing diverse institutional affiliations and interdisciplinary perspectives are strongly encouraged. Paper sessions are submitted and reviewed for consideration as a whole.

Paper Session Requirements

A title and abstract that describes the work (250 words maximum)
Rationale (75 words maximum)
A Chair and Respondent
Author, Title, and Abstract (350-word maximum) for each paper.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is submitted as a preconceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic or issue. Panels representing diverse institutional affiliations and interdisciplinary perspectives are strongly encouraged. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion.

Panel Discussion Requirements

Chair
Respondent (optional)

Individual Film

A film submitted directly by the filmmaker for consideration as an individual film and not part of a preconceived film session. Films are reviewed individually. Unit planners will group films into film sessions.

Individual Film Requirements

A title and abstract that describes the work (250 words maximum)
Entry of all creators
Link to the entire film. Please do not attach your film, as the servers cannot handle high volume. Instead, submit your URL address so we can access the film online.

Individual Performance

A performance submitted directly by the performer for consideration as an individual performance and not part of a preconceived performance session. Performances are reviewed individually, and unit planners group performances into performance sessions.

Individual Performance Requirements

A title and abstract that describes the work (250 words maximum)
Entry of all performers
An uploaded copy of the script or link to the performance should be included.

Performance Session

A performance session is submitted as a preconceived and complete session with a performer(s), chair(s), and respondent (optional). The performance session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Panels representing diverse affiliations are strongly encouraged.

Performance Session Requirements

Session Title & Description (250-word maximum)
Rationale (75-word maximum)
Chair
Respondent (optional)
A Performance Title and Description (150-word maximum) for each performer

Film Session

Film Session Requirements

A title and abstract that describes the work (250 words maximum)
Entry of all creators
Link to the entire film. Please do not attach your film, as the servers cannot handle high volume. Instead, submit your URL address so we can access the film online.

Questions

Inquiries about your submission should be directed to the 2025 Convention Program Planner & Vice-Chair, Kelsy Adams. Additional queries may be directed to the Chair, Dr. Maggie Williams.

Kelsy Adams
Caribbean Caucus Communication Division Planner & Vice-Chair
kadams1@ufl.edu

Maggie WIlliams
Chair
mgwill22@umd.edu

Division

Submit

Caucus on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns

Coming Soon

Division

Submit

Disability Issues Caucus

The Disability Issues Caucus (DIC) invites submissions of competitive individual papers, paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance proposals examining disability and communication. This year’s convention theme, Communicate to Elevate, encourages scholars to explore how communication amplifies voices, fosters growth, and creates spaces for collective advancement.

As disability is inherently intersectional, the DIC is uniquely positioned to examine these issues. We seek proposals that address intersections of disability with communication, ethics, pedagogy, culture, and identity. Submissions may explore future directions for research, teaching, and transforming the discipline, as well as how disability and communication contribute to advancing the field. The DIC prioritizes critical/cultural scholarship over deficit and rehabilitation approaches to disability.

As in the past, the DIC continues to encourage submissions that support various kinds of connections between divisions, sections, and other caucuses within NCA as well as interdisciplinary research. We are open to jointly sponsoring panels with other NCA units. If you are planning a panel that might be co-sponsored with other units, please contact Tahleen Lattimer at tahleenw@buffalo.edu and note that each submission should be made to one NCA unit/affiliate only. Units that have expressed interest in collaboration and intersectionality include, but are not limited to:

Activism and Social Justice Division
African American Communication & Culture Division
American Studies Division
Asian Pacific American Communication Studies Division and Caucus
Black Caucus
Communication and Military Division
Critical and Cultural Studies
Ethnography Division
Feminist and Gender Studies Division
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Communication Studies Division
Indigenous Caucus
International and Intercultural Communication Division
Language and Social Interaction Division
Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division
Performance Studies
Theatre, Film, and Multimedia
Women’s Caucus

While proposals responsive to the convention theme are encouraged, all proposals relevant to the caucus’ mission are welcome. The DIC seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme. We encourage creative submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to disability communication as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration between attendees.

The Disability Issues Caucus will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Film Sessions, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions.

Submission Information

All submissions (including individual papers) must be submitted electronically to NCA Convention Central, linked from the NCA Convention website (www.natcom.org/convention). No email submissions will be accepted.
Submissions must be in one of the following file formats: Microsoft Word, PDF, or RTF. Individual paper submissions must be submitted as PDFs.
If you wish for a paper to be considered as a student paper, please check the appropriate box on the electronic submission form.
Paper sessions, panel discussions, performance sessions, and film sessions, including individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions, will be prioritized. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.
Concerning panel discussions, submissions offering topics that are fruitful for generative discussion within a 75-minute session slot will be prioritized over topics that are too broad for the amount of time allotted. See specific directions for information that will be helpful to include in the panel rationale and description.
For assistance with all stages of the submission process, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, please visit the Convention Library: http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources

Submitting a Competitive Individual Paper

Submitted papers must be complete papers with appropriate references and/or citations and with all references indicating author or institutional identity (including title page) removed from the uploaded document to allow for anonymous peer review. Submissions should include the following content:

A title
A 100-250-word description or abstract of the paper
Less than 10,000 words (excluding notes and references). A max 30-page (including notes and references) double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper.
A check in the appropriate agreement box indicating whether you are willing to have your submission considered for the Scholar-to-Scholar sessions (a high-density format that allows for interaction between scholars and individuals and small groups).

Submitting a Paper Session

Submitted paper sessions should include:

A title for the session
A chair for the session, their institutional address, and their email address
A list of presenters, their institutional addresses, and their email addresses
Titles and descriptions (350 words maximum) for each paper presentation
A session description (75 words maximum)
A session rationale (250 words maximum)

Submitting a Panel Discussion

Submissions for a panel discussion should include:

A title for the panel
A chair for the session, their institutional address, and their email address
A list of presenters, their institutional addresses, and email addresses
A panel rationale (500 words maximum) justifying the significance and theme of the panel as a whole and including an estimate of how the session time will be used.
A panel description (75 words maximum.)

Submitting a Performance Session Proposal

Submissions for a performance proposal should include:

A title for the session
A chair for the session, their institutional address, and their email address
A list of the performer(s)/respondent(s), their institutional addresses, and email addresses
A session description including a statement identifying how the panel will use its time (500 maximum)
Any special requirements for setting, audiovisual requirements, and other production considerations
A performance abstract (75 words maximum)

Submitting a Film Session Proposal

Submissions for a film session proposal should include:

A title for the session
A chair for the session, their institutional address, and their email address
A list of titles for each film, descriptions of each film and each film maker(s) institutional addresses and email addresses.
Links to each film(s) or film trailer(s). Do not upload film(s) to Convention Central!
A session description including a statement identifying how the panel will use its time (500 maximum)
Any special requirements for setting, audiovisual requirements, and other production considerations
A film session abstract (75 words maximum)

Awards

The caucus will provide up to two awards for outstanding competitive papers: one for Top Paper and one for Top Student Paper. If both the top papers are student papers, then they will each receive Top Paper awards. These awards each include a monetary prize. The caucus reserves the right to not provide any award in cases where qualifying entries are of insufficient number or quality.

Audiovisual Equipment

Participants are encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Requests for specific equipment must be submitted online, at the same time as the proposal.

Accessibility

Convention presentations must be accessible to as wide an audience as possible and should include at minimum the following (or the appropriate equivalent): large print copies of papers (17-point font or larger), oral delivery that will accommodate ASL interpretation, and audio description of visual images.

The NCA Convention website (www.natcom.org/convention) has a wealth of information about how to submit proposals to NCA Convention Central. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

If you need assistance in this process, seek information beyond what is available in the Convention Resource Library, or require accommodations to provide you with access to the submission process, please contact Tahleen Lattimer at tahleenw@buffalo.edu.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Disability Issues Caucus programming, please contact:

Tahleen Lattimer
Disability Issues Caucus Planner
tahleenw@buffalo.edu

Division

Submit

Indigenous Caucus

The Leadership and Membership Circles of the Indigenous Caucus of the National Communication Association welcome submissions for the 111th Annual Convention to be held from November 20-23, 2025. The annual convention will be held on the unceded homelands of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.

The Indigenous Caucus was formed in 2020, held its first circle and morning ceremonies at the 2021 convention, and hosted its first gathering of panels at the 2022 convention. We are honored to invite you to participate in our continuing collective by submitting your scholarly and creative work for consideration. In addition to papers and panels accepted via this process (see below), the Caucus will host a Grand Gathering (what might be understood as a “business meeting”), morning ceremonies, and other events to uplift Indigeneity and Indigenous sovereignty, maintain good relations with lands, waters, and more-than-human kin, and combat the pervasive anti-Indigenous erasure organizing settler culture and institutions, including the National Communication Association, the communication discipline, and the North American university at large. Please join the Caucus to be included in announcements about our activities. The Caucus is open to all who commit to undoing our individual and institutional complicities in settler colonialism and centering Indigeneity in service of sovereign worlds beyond colonialism.

The Indigenous Caucus is committed to engaging Indigenous lands, waters, peoples, knowledges, and relations from interdisciplinary and international perspectives in service of Indigenous sovereignty and futurity. Relatedly, the Indigenous Caucus is also committed to building sustained relationships among and between Native American and Indigenous Studies and Communication Studies. We welcome scholarship (expansively defined to include research, praxis, and creative work) that aligns with these commitments and builds upon Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies to advance Indigenous Communication scholarship and activism in connection with the theme for the 2025 convention, “Communicate to Elevate.”

In light of the 2025 convention theme, we encourage submissions that interrogate the discursive and material meanings, practices, and enactments of Indigenous Communication to Elevate. Given our commitment to Indigenous, place-based ways of knowing and combating anti-Indigenous violence and erasure, scholarship that examines and challenges colonialism and imperialism in a variety of contexts in service of greater regard of/for Indigenous communication is central to much of our collective labors. We seek submissions that foreground Indigenous communication in the contemporary and challenge dominant nation-state discourses and policies that often dictate what deserves to be “elevated” within a limited and limiting colonial framework. We especially encourage submissions that directly engage with place-, land-, and water-based theorie- praxes of Indigenous peoples, communities, and Nations who are working toward and enacting the elevation of/for Indigenous communication on their own terms. We also encourage submissions that consider expansive understandings of Indigeneity, such as in South American, African, and Palestinian contexts. Submissions may interrogate a range of topics, including, but not limited to: Indigenous autonomy and self-determination; sovereignty and decolonization; Indigeneity as and within contemporary struggle; Indigenous activism, resistance, and resurgence; Indigenous education and pedagogy; Indigenous medias and technologies; Indigenous languages, traditions, and spiritualities; two-spirit, queer, and trans Indigenous approaches; border imperialism; Freedmen and associated histories of anti-Blackness; and Indigenous theorizing to rupture disciplinary norms of knowledge production invested in colonialism and whiteness. To honor the complexities of Indigenous thought and work toward Indigenous visibility and validation in the western academy, submitters should center and draw upon Indigenous theories, epistemologies, and methodologies in their scholarship and citational practices.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Visit NCA’s website at https://www.natcom.org/call-submissions for relevant deadlines, character counts, and other submission details. Please ensure that all authors and presenters are represented in submissions. All submissions must be completed electronically through NCA Convention Central (https://www.natcom.org/convention-central), accessible through the NCA website. Be sure to visit the Convention Resource Library to find resources and guides to the submission process (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library). Prior to submission, all submitters are encouraged to review the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants document posted in the Convention Resource Library.

SUBMISSION TYPES

We invite submissions within five general formats:

individual papers;
panel discussions (e.g., roundtable/workshop);
performance sessions;
film sessions; and
research in progress.

All submissions will be competitively reviewed. Review criteria include:

writing quality;
relevance to Indigenous Communication and the conference theme;
use of Indigenous epistemologies and methods; and
overall contributions to creating space for Indigeneity within and beyond NCA.

To promote robust participation, an individual cannot be included in more than two submissions to the division. In addition, each individual will be restricted to one role per session (i.e. chair, respondent, or presenter). To make maximum use of the Indigenous Caucus slots at the convention, the program planners will collaborate with program planners from other caucuses, divisions, and interest groups on co-sponsoring sessions. All AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Individual Papers (reviewed anonymously)

Original papers written by an author or authors are reviewed individually and, if accepted, presented with other individual papers on a panel assembled by the Indigenous Caucus Submitted papers should include (1) a title page, (2) an abstract of 150 words or fewer, (3) a maximum of 25 pages of text (not including references, tables, figures, and title page), and (4) author(s) name(s) and Tribal (non)affiliation(s), ancestry, and kinship if relevant. Please indicate if the submission is a student authored paper. Note: no identifying information of the author(s) may appear in the uploaded paper file accompanying the submission.

FYI: Authors are encouraged to consider the “Scholar-to-Scholar” interactive presentation format, utilizing posters and emphasizing interactive discussion. If interested in this format, please check the agreement box at the time of submission.

Panel Discussions (not anonymous)

Panel discussions involve a group of scholars assembled to discuss a specific topic of interest to the Indigenous Caucus. Panel discussion proposals should include (1) a title of the panel discussion, (2) a 75-word description for the session, (3) identification of a session chair who is not also a panelist, (4) a list of presenters and their affiliations, (5) a rationale for the content and format of the panel, not to exceed 400 words, that includes an explanation of why the discussion panel format is appropriate, and (6) author(s) name(s) and Tribal (non)affiliation(s), ancestry, and kinship if relevant. Panels should include individuals from multiple institutions, and a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, panelist).

Note: this can be a workshop, panel discussion, roundtable, or another format. Please specify the medium in the description.

Performance Sessions (not anonymous)

A performance session is submitted as a completed panel of performances centered on a specific topic of interest to the Indigenous Caucus. Performance session submissions should include (1) a title for the performance session, (2) a 75-word description for the session, (3) identification of a session chair who is not also a panelist, (4) a list of presenters and their affiliations, (5) a rationale for the content and format of the session, not to exceed 400 words, that includes an explanation of why the discussion panel format is appropriate, and (6) author(s) name(s) and Tribal (non)affiliation(s), ancestry, and kinship if relevant. Sessions should include individuals from multiple institutions, and a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, panelist).

Note: we are open to broad understandings of performance, including an individual or series of performances, a showcase of creative work, and multiple formats (music, art, dance, digital media, etc.)

Film Sessions (not anonymous)

A film session is submitted as a completed panel of films/multimedia works centered on a specific topic of interest to the Indigenous Caucus. Film session submissions should include (1) a title for the film session, (2) the title(s) of the film(s) to be screened, (3) a 75-word description for the session, (4) identification of a session chair who is not also a panelist, (5) a list of presenters and their affiliations, (6) a rationale for the content and format of the session, not to exceed 400 words, that includes an explanation of why the discussion panel format is appropriate, and (7) author(s) name(s) and Tribal (non)affiliation(s), ancestry, and kinship if relevant. Sessions should include individuals from multiple institutions, and a single person should not serve more than one role in a session (i.e., chair, panelist).

Note: we encourage sessions that include both film(s) screening and time for discussion and/or a panel of respondents.

Research in Progress

Resources

All submitters are encouraged to visit the Convention Resource Library (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library ). Helpful resources, including instructions on how to submit, are available. All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central.

Requests for accommodations to promote accessibility and inclusion can be sent directly to NCA.

NCA Program Planners

Indigenous Caucus Leadership Circle (collective representation by Amira de la Garza, La Royce Batchelor, Michael Lechuga, Danielle Endres, B. Liahnna Stanley, Eean Grimshaw, Colby Miyose, Ashley Cordes, Sarah Dweik, Margret McCue-Enser, Amy May, Dalaki Livingston, and Kinny Torre).

Questions

For any questions regarding the Indigenous Caucus programming please send correspondence to:

Eean Grimshaw (eean.grimshaw@oit.edu)

Colby Miyose (colby.miyose@hawaii.edu)

—

“The Indigenous Caucus was created in political response to the ongoing violences of Indigenous erasure, colonialism, imperialism, and whiteness that pervade and uphold academe, and by extension, our conferences, as white settler institutions. The Caucus’s overarching goals are to mobilize political activism and advocacy in support of Indigenous autonomy, governance, and sovereign Indigenous lands, waters, and lives across the globe, as well as holding ourselves and scholarship accountable to these commitments both in and beyond the academy. As an Indigenous-centered space, the Caucus aims for leaning into the poetics of Indigenous brilliances for scholarly interventions regarding Indigenous agency, activism, political struggles, and rhetorics of Indigeneity. Research is tied to lands, waters, and skies that gift us life; Indigenous cultural, spiritual, and political systems; ancestry, lineage, and identity; decolonial gender and sexual variance; and critically reflexive relationships with the content of research. All of these elements are inextricably woven together. The Indigenous Caucus serves to 1) demand space for Indigenous voices, experiences, and knowledges where conventions are held; 2) demand space for Indigenous presence to be honored and uplifted within and beyond the academy; and 3) to labor against settler colonial expansion to (re)surge Indigenous leadership and agency despite and in spite of professional disciplinary organizations that efface Indigeneity on unquestioned settler bases.”

We use the term Indigenous to refer to people and kinship networks who are the original peoples of a place and still hold claims and relationships to that place, and those who are disconnected, reconnecting, or simply cannot access their Indigenous lineage or geographies due to historic and ongoing violence. There is no one agreed-upon definition of Indigenous by all communities that use the term. The term Indigenous is used globally by many different communities and can have different meanings depending on the particular places, peoples, histories, and epistemologies involved. For example, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islanders, Māori, Ainu, Nuhua, Maya, Mapuche, Bedouin, Hmoung, Basque, Sami, Cherokee Freedmen, and Iñuit, kinship networks, and Nations are examples (albeit very few) of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples living in traditional homelands, relocated territories, and in diaspora have past, present, and future ties to homelands; landbases; and/or practicing semi-sovereign governments and communities. The Leadership Circle deliberately adopts a capacious understanding of Indigenous and Indigeneity that is rooted in kinship, relationships, and land for Indigenous peoples. Our understanding is open and affirming of the many Indigenous communities across the world.

Division

Submit

La Raza Caucus

The La Raza Caucus of the National Communication Association invites submissions for the 110th Annual Convention to be held in in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025. According to our mission statement, the Latino/Latina Communication Studies Division “fosters the study of communication issues and their attendant intersections with matters of concern for Latina/o communities throughout the Americas” (http://www.natcom.org/interestgroups/). We embrace a wide range of methodological and theoretical perspectives, including quantitative, qualitative, rhetorical, critical, and performance approaches, among others.

We welcome submissions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that address issues pertinent to and meaningful for our division.

We will accept four types of submissions:

competitive individual papers (referred to in the submission process as “individual papers”),
paper sessions,
panel discussions, and
performance sessions.

Please indicate on the submission if you will need AV equipment for the session.

Competitive Individual Papers

When preparing a submission, please observe the following:

On the first screen of the submission process, there will be a question that allows students to indicate that it is a student paper. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, please use this question to specify that this is a student paper.
Include a title, a 250-300 word abstract, and up to 5 keywords.
No information identifying the author may appear in the uploaded paper file. To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name(s) from the paper (including title page and headers) and the document’s embedded properties before uploading the document. Author information is collected elsewhere in the system. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
Do not include a title page in your submission.
The paper should be no more than 25 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font), excluding the abstract, keywords, and references.
Scholar-to-Scholar Consideration: Please indicate if you are willing to present in a Scholar-to-Scholar session by checking the appropriate electronic agreement box. Similar to an interactive poster session, NCA’s “Scholar-to-Scholar” sessions highlight interactive forms of presentation that lend themselves well to visual modes of presentation and promote one-on-one engagement between presenters and audience members.
Top Paper Recognition: The Division recognizes the top submitted paper and the top student-authored paper submitted competitively. Students who are currently enrolled at an academic institution and who wish to be considered for the top student paper award should identify themselves as “student” when making their submission by clicking the appropriate box on the electronic submission form. To be eligible for a top student paper award, all authors on a submission must be currently enrolled students at the time of submission.

Paper Sessions

A session title, overall session description, and rationale for the paper session of no more than 250 words.
A title and description of no more than 250 words for each individual paper, as well as the name and institutional affiliation of each author.
A chair is required, and her/his/their name and institutional affiliation should be included. If the participants have secured a respondent, that information should also be included.
Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, presenter, etc.) in a submission.

Panel Discussions

A panel title and general abstract of no more than 75 words for the discussion.
A rationale for the discussion of no more than 250 words.
The names and institutional affiliations of all participants.
Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, presenter, etc.) in a submission.
A chair is required, and should be listed, along with her/his/their institutional affiliation.

Performance Session

A performance session is submitted as a completed panel of performances centered on the convention theme/issue. Performance submissions should include:

A performance title and general abstract of no more than 250 words.
The names of participants and institutional affiliations of each participant
Full scripts of the proposed performances.
Performances should be no longer than 15 minutes
Performance sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve in more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, presenter, etc.) in a submission.

Resources

Questions

For any questions regarding programming, please send correspondence to:

Diana Leon-Boys, Ph.D.
NCA Program Planner
Latina/Latino Communication Studies Division
dleonboys@usf.edu

Thank you for your interest in submitting to and supporting the Latino/a Communication Studies Division. We look forward to seeing you in Denver, Colorado in 2025!

Division

Submit

South West Asian/North African, Middle East Caucus

The SWANA Caucus welcomes submission for the National Communication Association’s 111th Annual Convention from November 20-23, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The theme for this convention is “Communicate to Elevate.”

The purpose of the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Caucus is to advance research, scholarship, and creative activity that deepens our understanding of issues facing the SWANA region and its diasporic communities, to give voice to SWANA peoples and related concerns, and to empower SWANA faculty and students within the discipline.

The SWANA Caucus takes a deeply intentional de-colonial, de-imperial, and indigenous-centered commitment that provides a unique and critical intervention to SWANA-related inquiry within the Communication discipline. The interests of the Caucus also encompass the substance of intersectionality as it shapes individual and collective communicative experiences across the region and within the diaspora. The importance and relevance of the submission to the SWANA Caucus goals and concerns must be made clear.

The SWANA Caucus will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include the title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If your paper is a student submission, then select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

A paper session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of papers. The papers are not submitted or reviewed individually and are not submitted by the author(s) but rather by the person submitting the paper session. The entire paper session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Paper sessions must include chair(s), however respondent(s) are optional. Submissions must include an overall title and session description, as well as each paper’s title, description (abstract), and author(s). Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. All panelists are required to present a completed paper at the conference.

Panel Discussions

A panel discussion is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session of presenters discussing a topic/issue. Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Complete papers are not required as part of a panel discussion.

Co-sponsorship

The SWANA Caucus is also very much interested in collaborating with other caucuses and divisions. If you have an individual paper, paper sessions, or panel submissions that you think would fit with the SWANA Caucus and with another division or caucus, please clearly indicate this in your submissions for the SWANA Caucus to cosponsor.

Resources

Questions

For any questions regarding the SWANA Caucus programming, please contact Mehri Yavari (myavari@wooster.edu) or Amnee Elkhalid (elkhalid@uark.edu).

Division

Submit

Women’s Caucus

Mission

The mission of NCA’s Women’s Caucus has been to provide “advocacy for women’s improved status, voice, and opportunities in the discipline” and to explore “the diversity and complexities of women’s lives in terms of their academic and professional experiences.” Amidst local, national, and global climates of transmisogyny, the Women’s Caucus seeks to advance that mission and expand it to encompass the gendered experiences of not only women (which always, already includes transgender women) but nonbinary, gender fluid, two-spirit, and other folks with minoritized or culturally marginalized gender identities. As such, we will prioritize submissions are grounded in diverse gendered experiences and expressions at the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, ability, nationality, religion, non-Western epistemologies, and language. We welcome work that engages activism and challenges structures rooted in transmisogyny, heteronormativity, misogynoir, colonialism, and other forms of marginalization.

Submissions

The 111th conference theme is “Communicate to Elevate,” which Dr. Tina M. Harris, NCA 2nd Vice President, explains as having two meanings. The first is to urge those in the organization to use communication to “lift as we climb.” The second is a call for creativity and innovation. The Women’s Caucus embraces this theme and encourages submissions that seek to both elevate the work of women and gender minorities as scholars and subjects within the communication discipline and to use communication to elevate the status of women and gender minorities beyond disciplinary and academic boundaries. Panels and sessions may engage the theme in myriad ways, including and beyond the following examples:

The National Communication Association (for the first time) concurrently has three Black women as President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President. Yet, it has only designated three Black women ever with the association’s highest honor—Distinguished Scholar. How can NCA elevate Black women’s scholarship to address this disjuncture?
Women are more likely to be part-time, contingent, or non-tenure-track faculty than men (AAUP, 2020). Women, especially women of color, are even more likely to work in the low-wage, low-security jobs like food service and preparation, on-campus childcare, custodial, and administrative assistance than men (AAUW, 2024). How can communication scholars use their knowledge to elevate the most precariously positioned women on their campuses?
Fourteen states have laws that target transgender youth by banning students from using a bathroom that does not align with their sex assigned at birth. Eight states ban discussion of trans and/or queer issues in K12 schools; some like Florida include public institutions of higher education. Twenty-six states ban trans youth from participating in sports aligned with their gender—with the majority of athletes publicly used as ‘proof’ bans are needed being trans girls. How can communication scholars elevate and ensure the inclusion of trans women and girls in NCA programming, in educational institutions, and in public life?
Native women in the United States are subject to disproportionate and alarming levels of violence. The third leading cause of death for Native women is murder and those living on reservations experience a murder rate tenfold the national average (Urban Indian Health Institute). How can communication elevate both public awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and, importantly, the safety of Native women in NCA, academe, and the nation?
The majority of undergraduate students enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education are women. The majority of doctoral degrees awarded in communication in 2020, per NCA records, went to women and gender minorities. The number of (predominately young) women and gender expansive learners partaking in higher education broadly and communication specifically is elevated. The same may not be true of their experiences. How can faculty, institutions, and associations like NCA best support these learners?

Submission Types

The Women’s Caucus will accept the following submission types: (1) Panel Discussions, (2) Performance Sessions and (3) Film Sessions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Performance Session

Submissions must include a session title and description. Submissions must include individual performance titles, description, and performers. A chair is required. Please provide a session rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. In the supporting file please indicate the length of the performance(s) within this submission.

Film Session

C0-sponsorships

The Women’s Caucus regularly works to co-sponsor panels. We highly encourage all submissions to designate 2-3 other relevant divisions, sections, or caucuses. The Women’s Caucus is committed to working alongside other groups and to creating opportunities for students, recent graduates, and/or scholars who have not previously participated in NCA programming. Additionally, we request:

Submissions represent several institutions rather than one or two
Panelists represent a variety of roles and career stages where possible
Participants limit themselves to a maximum of two submissions to the Women’s Caucus—one where they serve as chair and one where they serve as a panelist

Resources

Questions

For any questions regarding the Women’s Caucus programming, please contact:

Dakota Park-Ozee, Ph.D.
Women’s Caucus Vice-Chair & Program Planner
dakota.park-ozee@du.edu

Division

Submit

Student Organizations

Lambda Pi Eta

Who’s Eligible: Undergraduate students with current LPH membership
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025 11:59 PST

LAMBDA PI ETA (LPH), the National Communication honors society, invites outstanding papers and projects authored by undergraduate students in all areas of communication scholarship. Projects may be co-authored, as long as at least one co-author is an LPH member. All contributors must be undergraduate students at the time the paper is written. Only completed projects will be considered.

Projects may be submitted by students who have been approved for membership by their college chapter but have not yet been formally inducted. However, the student must be inducted by the end of the academic year. Top projects submitted by LPH members will be considered for the Stephen A. Smith Awards. Both the top individual projects and the top co-authored projects will receive a cash prize.

Submissions that emphasize the convention theme of Communicate to Elevate will be given special presentation consideration.

This year LPH is excited to announce the Scholar to Scholar format is an option for student media productions. Media submissions should consist of an abstract and link to the media project, with names of the production team removed for anonymous judging.

Individual Paper Submission Requirements

Maximum length of papers is 30 double spaced pages. Papers should include a title and an abstract. Both single author and co-authored papers are allowed. Whether sole authored or co-authored, all papers must be the work of undergraduate students at the time they were written. Co-authored papers that include a graduate student or faculty member as one of the authors will not be accepted. All papers must be submitted online, using NCA Convention Central. Uploaded files must be PDF.

Scholar to Scholar

The Scholar to Scholar format allows undergraduate LPH members to present their work using creative posters, digital slides, and other media with the goal of engaging conversation with other scholars. This year LPH welcomes submissions of media projects developed by LPH members for this format. Wandering scholars (e.g., experts in the field) typically engage participants in discussion and provide feedback about their work. If you would like for your projects to be considered for Scholar to Scholar, check the designated box during the online submission process. Audiovisual equipment is not provided for the Scholar to Scholar format.

Panel Submissions

A title and abstract of no more than 75 words. Panel submissions should include a list of presenters and their affiliations, along with the name of a chair and respondent (session chair is required, respondent is optional). Panels submitted to Lambda Pi Eta should be oriented toward highlighting undergraduate student work. Papers/individually titled presentations are not presented in panel discussion.

Removing Identifying Information

To ensure anonymous review, submitters should remove their name, university affiliation, and LPH chapter affiliation from the project before uploading to NCA Convention Central. Identifying information should only be included on the form you complete prior to uploading your paper.

Reminder about Professional Standards

NCA upholds the highest ethical and professional standards for convention participants. Students are reminded to choose an original topic/method and to submit this work to only one professional conference. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Questions

For any questions regarding LPH programming, please contact:

Sean X Ahern
Wayne State College
seahern1@wsc.edu

Submit

Continuing Series

NCA-Forum

Mission of NCA-Forum

NCA-Forum’s (NCA-F) mission is to improve the quality of public discourse on salient issues of shared interest to the NCA membership. This means that NCA-F addresses pressing issues of Communication at the present moment and uses its panels to feature best practices in service of BIPOC teachers-activists-scholars, their scholarship, their ethical leadership across the discipline, and their recent, significant innovations in communication research across the discipline.

NCA-F supports this mission by a) Providing opportunities for NCA members to view, participate in, and study a variety of topics through the lenses of social justice activism, participation, discussion, and deliberation b) Enabling NCA members to exercise institutional and community leadership—as scholars, teachers, administrators, and engaged citizens—on these topics; and c) Gaining prominence for our discipline by showcasing its commitment to improving the quality of communication research and teaching in the United States and beyond.

We also welcome submissions related to this year’s convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” which gives us an opportunity to explore and share how communication scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and theoretical perspectives can “lift as we climb.” We invite thought-provoking papers, panels, and programming that engage the goals of the theme “Communicate to Elevate:” (1) our duty as communication scholars and teachers to strive to help others reach their potential, to “lift as we climb;” and (2) to conjure motivation and excitement towards our continued innovation and growth in the Communication discipline.

NCA-Forum Call for Presentations

NCA-F is a small division used to feature panels that do not fit within a single division or which are widely co-sponsored so as to be of interest to a wide constituency of NCA attendees. To that end, we seek panel discussions, paper sessions, and performance/alternative sessions that advance our mission and/or engage this year’s convention theme. The core objective of NCA-Forum is to present topics, scholarship, and discussions that will be of interest to the many constituencies of NCA. We are particularly interested in (1) submissions with a clear and critical purpose, asking what is (and what is not) the role of communication, communication studies, and communication instructors/scholars in our current moment and (2) submissions that will garner a wide attendance as a ‘feature panel’ that links the work of many divisions in search of a broad audience of communication scholars and scholarship.

We encourage colleagues to develop submissions that reflect actively on the conference theme. We especially welcome any submissions that foster intra- and cross-disciplinary collaborations, that feature discipline-wide topics, and that amplify the voices of marginal scholars and scholarship. Collaboration and co-sponsorship is strongly encouraged at a variety of levels, including between other NCA units/caucuses, between generational divides, and between the academic/non-academic community of Communication Studies, including affiliates and community practitioners. Such arguments should be explicit in proposals for discussion panels and paper panels. We also encourage (but do not require) submitters to employ creative and non-traditional formats for their research/scholarship/creative expression.

NCA-Forums will accept paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions. All sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, performer, filmmaker, or presenter) in a submission.

Format for Panel Discussion

Submissions must include a title, description, rationale, keywords, the names of all participants, and a session chair. Submitters must also include a 750 word (or less) rationale for the session as it relates to the above call. This rationale should be submitted as a separate .doc,.docx, or .pdf file and uploaded to NCA Convention Central at the time of submission. The rationale should clearly establish why/how the submission is a good fit for the NCA-Forum mission and call, and why it reflects a topic of importance to the plurality of NCA’s membership.

Format for Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title for the session, session description, a description for each paper, title of each paper, the names of all authors, keywords, and a session chair. Submitters must also include a 750 word (or less) rationale for session as it relates to the above call. This rationale should be submitted as a separate .doc,.docx, or .pdf file and uploaded to NCA Convention Central at the time of submission. The rationale should clearly establish why/how the submission is a good fit for the NCA-Forum mission and call, and why it reflects a topic of importance to the plurality of NCA’s membership.

Format for Performance Sessions

Submissions must include a title, a session description, a 250-word rationale, the names of all performers, respondent/s, keywords, and a session chair. Submitters must also include a 750 word (or less) rationale for session as it relates to the above call. This rationale should be submitted as a separate .doc,.docx, or .pdf file and uploaded to NCA Convention Central at the time of submission. The rationale should clearly establish why/how the submission is a good fit for the NCA-Forum mission and call, and why it reflects a topic of importance to the plurality of NCA’s membership.

Awards

There are no top papers awarded in this division.

Audio Visual

All AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including step-by-step webinars on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library. http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/.

Questions

For further questions, please contact:

Atilla Hallsby
hall1039@umn.edu

Submit

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Evolving from the Carnegie Foundation’s extensive work on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), NCA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning series highlights work that represents study and reflection of teaching and learning processes. All methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, ethnographic, critical, rhetorical) used within the field of communication are appropriate for SOTL studies. The SOTL series is not limited to teachers and scholars with a background in communication education or instructional communication but rather is open to research on teaching and learning in multiple content areas and settings within, as well as outside, the communication classroom.

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning series seeks submissions that portray research or enhance the convention theme of Communicate to Elevate. Research submissions that cut across disciplinary boundaries are encouraged. More importantly, such submissions should address or illustrate the unique features of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:

questions about teaching practice(s) and student learning, defined broadly,
appropriate methodological tools for gathering and analyzing data to answer those questions,
results that are reported in a way to encourage reflection and critical examination by peers, and
reflective practice on the part of the teacher(s) following the process of inquiry.

Submissions that are more typical instructional studies, and do not include the above items, should be submitted to another division. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning calls for interpretive considerations of teaching practices and how teaching can be improved or extended inside and outside the classroom.

INFORMATION FOR SUBMISSIONS

Individual (competitive) papers, panel discussions, and paper sessions are accepted.

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. E-mailed or mailed submissions are not accepted. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” instructions provided in the Convention Resource Library. All submissions are evaluated based on content, adherence to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning philosophy (see above paragraphs), composition, relevance to theme, and overall impression. AV requests must be made during the submission process.

Discussions and session proposals should include scholars from multiple institutions and a single person should not serve in more than one role in a discussion or session. 

Individual (competitive) Paper

Submissions should include a title, author(s), a 50–100-word description, and keywords in the electronic submission form. Papers should not include more than 30 pages of uploaded text (double-spaced, including tables, references, etc.). Submit competitive papers through NCA Convention Central under “Individual Paper.”  If you are submitting a student paper, please put “Student” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page and mark “Student” on the electronic submission form. Submitted “student papers” must be solely authored by a student or students. To ensure anonymous review, please remove your name(s) from the paper and properties before it is uploaded; instructions on how to prepare an anonymous copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Recognition for Top Paper(s) may be awarded.

Please indicate if your submission would be appropriate for the Scholar-to-Scholar (Interactive Media Formats – Posters, Laptop Displays, Experiential Activities, etc.) by checking the appropriate agreement box on the electronic submission form. Scholar-to-Scholar encourages alternative forms of presentation, one-on-one interaction, and neighborhoods of knowledge.

After review, your submission may be scheduled during the Scholar-to-Scholar session to allow you more flexibility in your presentation format.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title, chair, list of presenters and affiliations, a panel description, keywords, and a rationale for acceptance outlining the purpose and significance of the proposed topic/discussion. Additionally, panel discussions must list a session chair.

Paper Sessions

Paper sessions consist of 3-5 papers around a common topic. All paper session proposals must include an overall title for the session, session description, keywords, a chair, as well as a title, description and author(s) for each paper, and a rationale for acceptance outlining the purpose and significance of the proposed topic/discussion. 

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

Specific Scholarship of Teaching and Learning submission questions can be directed to:

Michelle T. Violanti
SOTL Program Planner
violanti@utk.edu

Submit

NCA Special Programming

Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S)

We invite you to celebrate classroom innovation and connection by sharing your great ideas for teaching students with our community of talented teachers and scholars during the NCA’s 111th Annual Convention in Denver, CO. This year’s convention theme of “Communicate to Elevate” gives us an opportunity to explore and share how we utilize our classrooms to support “lift as we climb.” We value the classroom and our relationships with our students and view this call as an opportunity to exchange knowledge and wisdom with others while navigating academia. Thus, we view the classroom as spaces designed to empower others and understand the possibility that lies in the ongoing development of diverse pedagogical strategies that allow us to embody “communicat[ing] to elevate.”

Great Ideas For Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S) offers pedagogical activities, assignments, projects, games, simulations, and/or assessment methods that serve to address communication theories, concepts, and skills. We encourage submissions from across the discipline that reflect creative pedagogical ideas about teaching communication in traditional, online/hybrid, hyflex, and non-traditional (consulting venues, community engagement initiatives, etc.) settings. We also encourage submissions that reflect inclusive teaching practices, social justice pedagogy, and equity-focused teaching. Teaching ideas that focus on students that may have been disregarded in the past and are deserving of our greater regard. Finally, we will prioritize submissions that highlight the convention theme and support the success and well-being of the diverse student populations we serve.

This year we are especially interested in G.I.F.T.S. that focus on “Communicate to Elevate.” For example:

Pedagogical strategies and ideas that foster student voice and self-expression in the classroom and encourage students to demonstrate increased self-assurance in their communication.
Activities and practices that empower and encourage students to be active participants in their education; thus, these assignments will address how to best help students develop critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills, encourage and maintain classroom participation and a sense of ownership over learning, and inspire productive peer-to-peer communication and teamwork abilities.
Pedagogical practices that address how professors can effectively communicate to meet diverse student needs, which may include but is not limited to one-on-one conferences, feedback techniques, grading rubrics, and differentiated instruction approaches.
Diverse learning modes (i.e., art, narratives) and methods that foster resilience through open dialogue, thus helping students navigate academic challenges by promoting open and empathetic communication.
Assignments, activities, and/or strategies that address how to effectively use digital communication with students in order to connect with and elevate student engagement.
Ideas and resources that elevate professor learning through feedback, which involves leveraging student input to improve teaching practices and outcomes, thus leading to co-creating norms and co-owning the classroom.

____

Each GIFTS must include the following information

Proposal title/Activity title
Learning objectives and recommended courses
Steps/Procedures
Scholarly or community resourced support
Assessment recommendations

____

Please follow the steps below to submit

Go to NCA Convention Central
Fill out the form from the following link (this can be in lieu of a separate proposal since the form asks you to address items a-e above) https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_GIFTS_Proposal_form.docx
Save the form as a PDF (NCA accepts ONLY PDF format)
Fill out the submission fields in Convention Central and select “Individual Paper” as the submission type
Attach the PDF form (from step 2) as supporting file

____

All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For instruction on completing a submission, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” instructions provided in the Convention Resource Library. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission— https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library

Special Note: This year, we will be continuing a tradition of awarding certificates to the Top 10 GIFTS – as determined by peer reviews.

Questions

For questions, please contact one or both of the G.I.F.T.S Planners:

Eddah Mutua
St. Cloud University
emmutua@stcloudstate.edu

Sarah Baugh Harris
Davidson College
sabaugh@davidson.edu

Submit

Pre-conferences

Convention Theme

The 2025 Convention theme calls us to “Communicate to Elevate.” Communicate to Elevate is an ode to Denver, Colorado, the Mile High City that will be the backdrop to our 111th convention. By participating in the conference, we exercise our commitment to advancing the discipline and demonstrating the value we see in communication in its many forms.

Submission Information

Aligning with this year’s convention theme, we invite Pre-conference submissions that challenge our members to thoughtfully interrogate the notion of communicating to elevate by exploring factors that contribute to decisions and experiences related to elevation within communication contexts. Specifically, we invite pre-conference submissions that engage the nature of our collective stewardship of communicating to elevate via two routes: (1) efforts (inside and beyond the classroom) to help other scholars realize their potential as we work towards our own and/or (2) efforts to prioritize all forms of communication scholarship regardless of theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, and/or practical underpinnings.

Pre-conferences convene for a half or a full day before the regular convention program begins. To increase opportunities for scholars worldwide to engage and participate, we are allowing proposals for half-day pre-conferences that are entirely virtual or entirely in person (all full-day proposals must be in person). All half-day proposals will require an indication of format preference. Virtual half-day proposals can be three or four hours. If proposing a virtual format, the proposal must include a rationale explaining that preference and specific plans for engaging the online audience.

Pre-conference presenters may have their Pre-conference registration fees waived. Presenters receiving complimentary registration must be listed as a presenter in the convention program, and justification for the presenters must be included in the proposal at the time of submission. All presenters are expected to register for the convention if they plan to attend convention sessions.

Pre-conference presenters must provide and transport their own printed materials for the conference. Pre-conference presenters may apply for up to $50 (per Pre-conference) in reimbursement to cover material costs after the conference. Meals are not provided to participants.

Pre-conference Proposals should contain the following information:

Pre-conference title
Expected attendance number and expected interest groups (e.g., associations, caucuses, divisions, sections, and other NCA affiliated entities), with rationale for each
Brief (approximately 250-words) abstract of the event for inclusion in the convention program
An extended explanation of the topic, its significance, its appropriateness for a Pre-conference, and its relevance to the conference theme
Pre-conference description and tentative schedule; please specify virtual or in person format; please specify full-day or half-day designation (including a three hour or four hour time slot)
If submitting a virtual proposal, please include your rationale, plans for engaging an online audience, and request for virtual A/V assistance, if needed.
Or, submit a request for an on-site location, if desired. Please indicate request A/V equipment if needed.
If an off-site location is requested, please note this, and submit your plan/budget for securing your location.

Please note that Pre-conference registration will be $44 for students and $88 for all other registered attendees.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Pre-conferences committee and evaluated according to the following criteria:

Addresses issues related to the notion of communicating to elevate, including but not limited to, care, concern, importance, value, trust, and consideration within communication scholarship and that strongly relates to or expands upon the conference theme
Presents a clear, persuasive, argument for the topic’s importance and the role of communication scholarship in advancing the of idea communicating to elevate within the discipline
Articulates a rationale for why a Pre-conference format is appropriate
Presents a feasible plan for executing the Pre-conference

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants before submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Library online: http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/

Proposals must be submitted via NCA Convention Central to the Pre-conferences special series by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time.

Questions

For more information, please contact the lead Pre-conference planner, Dr. Natasha R. Brown at brownnar@iu.edu. Please include “NCA Pre-conferences 2025” in the email subject line.

Program Planners

Dr. Natasha R. Brown, Pre-conferences Planner
Dr. Akie Went, Pre-conferences Co-Planner

Submit

Research in Progress Roundtables

Research in Progress Roundtables (RPR) are an opportunity for NCA members to engage in a lively discussion about research “in progress” with fellow members who have similar interests. Led by senior scholars and comprised of participants from multiple subdisciplines, RPR provide more than an opportunity for members to receive feedback on their work; they are conversational spaces intended to foster mentorship, collaboration, and disciplinary connections. Research “in progress” extends beyond a single study or product and includes larger projects that challenge theoretical and methodological boundaries and innovate communication praxis.

RPR will be held at the NCA Annual Convention and participants will convene for a 75-minute conversation. Each RPR will have approximately six participants and be led by a senior scholar who has expertise on the topic. Participants will share a brief description of their research in progress (5-7 minutes each). Then, discussion will follow among the group. There is no expectation that participants will have made substantial progress on the project between the time of submission and the Convention (e.g., collected data, completed analysis).

Preparing an abstract

To be considered for RPR, please prepare an extended abstract of 1,000-1,500 words (not including references). The abstract should include the following elements, using relevant subheadings:

The purpose of the research project
A rationale for the project’s significance
A brief and concise review of relevant literature (no more than two paragraphs)
The guiding research questions or hypotheses
The proposed methodology for the project
Desired next stages or outcomes for the project (from conceptualization to published/funded/implemented project)
Two other subdisciplines that can strengthen the impact of the project

RPR will prioritize strong submissions

From members who are associated with NCA’s caucuses (Asian/Pacific American Caucus, Black Caucus, Disability Issues Caucus, Indigenous Caucus, Caucus on LGBTQ Concerns, La Raza Caucus, and/or Women’s Caucus) and from researchers who identify as members of under-represented groups. Please address your caucus membership(s) and/or positionality, if you are comfortable doing so, and if you want this to be taken into consideration in matching projects/researchers with senior scholars.
That explicitly addresses the experience of marginalized communities, either theoretically or methodologically.
Reflecting the convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” Submitters are encouraged to consider how their work addresses the possibilities, meanings, and scope of the theme.

How to submit

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available at the Convention Resource Library website.
Submissions should be made through NCA Convention Central as an “Individual Paper” and submitted to the Research in Progress Roundtable.
Please indicate if you are a “STUDENT” in Convention Central system.
Submissions should not include the author’s name or institutional affiliation in the body or properties of the document.

Questions

Please reach out to the RPR program planners with any questions.

Stephen Croucher
Massey University
s.croucher@massey.ac.nz

Trina J. Wright
University of Illinois
twdixon@illinois.edu

Submit

Short Courses

Short Courses are extended convention sessions that offer participants an intense, pedagogically driven experience. Short Course proposals may address theories or concepts, research practices or methods, pedagogical techniques, a specific teaching content area, or other specialized topics of interest to communication teachers, practitioners, and scholars. Proposals that engage communication research and pedagogy within an interdisciplinary context are also encouraged. Short courses should strive for application and practicality.

The goal of any Short Course should be to enrich the communication knowledge base of the course participants within a well-structured seminar atmosphere. This year, we are encouraging proposals that focus on one or more aspects of the convention theme: “Communicate to Elevate.” We invite Communication scholars, researchers, and instructors to submit proposals to share their thoughts, experiences, and methods to help people understand how greater regard is so critical to our understandings of and behaviors in the communication process. We would like to include a diverse set of presenters who explore and examine multiple perspectives of greater regard during the short course program. International scholars and researchers are especially encouraged to apply to share their perspectives on the impact of greater regard on their communication processes. All submitters are encouraged to be thoughtful and provocative in the integration of the convention theme.

Because of the competitive nature of Short Courses, submitters who have presented several times in the past few years should be cautioned against resubmitting the same course. Short Course proposals that meaningfully reflect intentional inclusiveness are especially encouraged.

Submitters must select Panel Discussion as the submission type for Short Courses in NCA Convention Central.

Short Course proposals will be evaluated based on the compelling nature of the topic, the soundness of the underlying instructional plan, and the extent to which the convention theme is incorporated, although incorporating the theme is not a requirement for acceptance. Providing sufficient detail in the proposal is necessary so that reviewers can adequately evaluate:

The intended topic,
The overall lesson plan,
The credibility of the presenters, and
What knowledge, practice, or understanding the participants can take away

A clear statement should accompany the proposal indicating whether the Short Course has been presented within the past five NCA conventions and if so, how many times the course has been offered. If you have presented within the past five NCA conventions, please include how you have updated your content.

Program Planner

Sean Upshaw
University of Texas
sean.upshaw@austin.utexas.edu

Submit

NCA Affiliates

American Forensic Association

The American Forensic Association (AFA) invites submissions for the 2025 National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention in Denver, CO, November 20-23, 2025. The AFA is an association of educators committed to supporting forensic pedagogy. The AFA is interested in promoting and supporting research that enhances the theory and practice of argumentation, advocacy, and competitive debate and public speaking competition.

The AFA welcomes submissions that reinforce the convention theme of “Communication to Elevate.” The AFA encourages submissions that explore these themes for forensics professionals and forensics education.

The American Forensics Association will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 6000 word, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. Papers should be accompanied by a description of no more than 150 words. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission, select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

We encourage panel discussion proposals that include authors with diverse institutional affiliations, and to include the name of a Chair and a Respondent who are not one of the presenters. Participants should not have more than one role on a panel.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding AFA programming, please contact our Vice President and Division Planner for 2025:

David Cram Helwich
helwi012@umn.edu

Submit

American Society for the History of Rhetoric

The American Society for the History of Rhetoric (ASHR) invites submissions for the 111th NCA Annual Convention, “Communicate to Elevate,” held November 20-23, 2025 in Denver, CO. Submissions will open in January 2025 on the NCA Convention Central. All Submissions must be uploaded by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST).

ASHR’s mission is to promote the study of the theory and practice of rhetoric across periods, languages, and cultural contexts. Conceiving of the history of rhetoric in expansive, pluralistic terms, ASHR promotes conversation and scholarship that treats any aspect, facet, and tradition of the history of rhetoric, drawn from formal or informal archives, and informed by a diversity of theoretical and methodological traditions.

Although ASHR welcomes any submission that fits our general mission, we are particularly interested in scholarship that engages with the convention’s theme “Communicate to Elevate” in historical contexts and/or related to the history and historiography of rhetoric. Specifically, submissions might engage in (but are not limited to) the following lines of inquiry:

Examination of how various historical figures, rhetors, communities, social movements, and/or texts have cultivated elevation of concern for others, care, or developed approaches or ideas that elevate;
Exploration of which theoretical approaches, historical methods, and/or modes of interpretation invite scholars to elevate their objects of inquiry and the historical record;
Excavation and analysis of exciting or innovative elevations and contributions to our histories of rhetoric;
Exhortations for how historians of rhetoric might embrace “elevating” as a mode of analysis and scholarly engagement.

SUBMISSION FORMATS

Individual Papers

ASHR asks for complete papers of no more than 8,000 words (including references). Please remove all author-identifying information from the paper and include an abstract of no more than 250 words. Submissions should ensure to include title, abstract, keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. If all authors are students, please select “Student Paper” in the submission form to be considered for the ASHR Top Student Paper award. Annual awards will be presented at the ASHR Business Meeting and featured on the ASHR website.

Paper Sessions

ASHR invites cohesive proposals for paper sessions. The proposal should include (1) a session title, (2) a 200-300 word thematic description and overall rationale for the panel, (3) a paper title and 250-word description for each paper, (4) a designated chair, (5) respondent (optional), and (6) participant contact information. Please do not submit full papers with paper session proposals.

Panel Discussions

While ASHR generally prefers papers and paper sessions, we will also review proposals on timely, well-grounded, and focused topics particularly suitable for discussion format. Panel discussion proposals should include: (1) a panel title, (2) a 200-300 word thematic description, (3) a 200-300 word rationale justifying the session topic and requirement for a discussion format, (4) designated chair, and (5) participant contact information.

PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL REMINDERS

By way of general reminders

For all submission types, A/V requests should be made at time of submission.
Paper session proposals should include individuals representing multiple institutions and no single person should operate in more than one role (e.g., chair, respondent, or presenter).
Submitting a proposal is a commitment to register for and attend the 2024 NCA convention.
Prior to submitting a proposal that includes other presenters in any capacity, secure their permission to include them and confirm their commitment that they will register for, attend, and present at the convention upon acceptance of the program.
ASHR will only consider proposals that are original work that has not been presented at another conference and is not under consideration for another conference. Submitted material should not be published or accepted for publication at the time of submission.
A paper or panel proposal may not be submitted to more than one NCA interest group or affiliated organization.

Questions

Please visit ASHR’s website (https://ashr.org/) for information about the Society, upcoming events, the journal (Journal for the History of Rhetoric), resources, and more.

ASHR NCA Unit Planner 2025
Dr. Heather Ashley Hayes
Department of Communication Studies
University of Alabama
heather.hayes@ua.edu

Submit

Association for Business Communication

Theme: Communicate to Elevate

The Association for Business Communication (ABC) invites scholarship that addresses all areas of communication in business contexts, professional communication practices, application of theory in organizational or business settings, training and development of communication in organizational settings, communication management, leadership and communication, and/or business communication pedagogy.

We encourage creative submissions that describe, analyze, and/or apply innovative approaches to communication within business settings and/or business-related courses. We seek papers and panels that will attract and foster opportunities for dynamic collaboration between conference attendees.

Individual Papers

From theory to practice; from industry to classroom and beyond. The ABC affiliate call for conference papers seeks work that helps to make distinct contributions to both theory and application of business communication concepts and/or best practices in both applied organizational and educational settings. A wide range of topics, approaches, and methodologies are welcomed and encouraged.

Paper submissions should be no more than 25 pages in length, exclusive of notes, citations, and tables. The title, author information, and abstract are submitted separately from the uploaded text document in the electronic submission form. The paper submission must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and should not include any identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties.

Research that is appropriate for interactive settings may be designated for Scholar-to-Scholar consideration. If interested in participating in Scholar-to-Scholar (poster-style sessions), check the appropriate agreement box during submission. Student work should be designated at submission (all authors must be students for submission to be considered “student work.”)

Panel Discussion Proposals*

From theory to practice, from industry to classroom and beyond. The ABC affiliate call for panel discussion seeks panel proposals that highlight specific applications of business communication theory and best practices in applied organizational and/or educational settings. Panel discussions should encourage conversation and present opportunities for collaboration and network building amongst scholars and practitioners working in the world of business communication. Panels should have a clear theme and be focused on a specific topic/context/industry and should include contributions from experts or emerging scholars in the given area of focus.

Submissions should include a session title, rationale, and an overview description of the planned program. The submission materials should provide a complete list of participants (including name, affiliations, and email addresses), as well as a summary of the participant’s expertise and anticipated contribution to the panel. A session chair is required and should be named in the submission materials. All AV requests must be made at the time of submission. Please note, papers are not to be presented as part of a panel discussion.

*Panel submissions should make an effort to include individuals representing multiple institutions/organizations rather than individuals from a single institution.

Submission Process for Papers and Panel Proposals

Submissions will be reviewed by scholars with appropriate background in business communication-related research and applications. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library. For further information, contact the program planner, Rory McGloin, Ph.D., rory.mcgloin@uconn.edu

^^^

The Association for Business Communication, established in 1935 as an international organization committed to fostering excellence in business communication scholarship, research, education, and practice, has been an affiliate organization of the NCA since 2008. The ABC annual convention is held in October each year and NCA conference attendees are encouraged to visit www.businesscommunication.org to learn more about ABC and its conference.

Submit

Association for Chinese Communication Studies

The Association for Chinese Communication Studies (ACCS) invites submissions that investigate topics pertaining to Chinese Communication Studies for the NCA 111th Annual Convention. Specifically, the ACCS seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme “Communicate to Elevate” from Chinese culture and communication perspectives. NCA 2nd Vice President Dr. Tina M. Harris highlights two core ideas related to this theme. First, Communicate to Elevate portrays a commitment to helping others thrive. This means fostering opportunities for growth and collaboration within our discipline, transcending personal achievements to create a space where others can excel. Second, Communicate to Elevate describes “a spirit of excitement about and innovation around the scholarship.” This involves using the convention as a platform to showcase the collective growth of communication studies and to reaffirm our relevance as a field.

As you work on your submission, the ACCS invites you to reflect on this year’s theme, “Communicate to Elevate.” This theme emphasizes our shared responsibility to uplift others while striving for growth and innovation in our own scholarship. It also encourages us to use our research, teaching, and service to demonstrate how communication elevates individuals, communities, and the discipline as a whole. Consider these guiding questions:

How can communication as a discipline and practice be used to elevate voices, ideas, and perspectives that have traditionally been overlooked?
In what ways does Chinese communication research reflect a commitment to elevating societal understanding, cross-cultural dialogue, and global collaboration?
How can we as scholars create spaces where others can thrive and achieve their potential through knowledge exchange, mentorship, and inclusive practices?
How does Chinese communication scholarship contribute to the collective growth of the communication field, showcasing innovation and progress in theory and practice?
What intentional contributions can we make to ensure that communication remains a tool for empowerment, equity, and innovation?

Submissions are invited in, but not limited to theoretical, empirical, and practical research that is related to Chinese communication studies in the following areas: intercultural/cross-cultural communication, critical cultural studies, rhetorical studies and comparative rhetoric, new media studies across/within Chinese communities, media flows and issues of representation, globalization/localization, health and wellbeing, environmental communication, intercultural communication competence, cultural adaptation, identity development and intersectionality, and activism, among others utilizing a range of approaches and epistemological, ontological, and axiological groundings. Submissions from multiple theoretical perspectives, utilizing different methodologies, and cutting across multiple (sub)disciplines are encouraged. Submissions should demonstrate their connection with and contribution to Chinese Communication Studies.

The ACCS will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers. In order to avoid unnecessary problems with submission and review, please carefully read the following guidelines:

All submissions must be made electronically via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For instructions on completing a submission, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions provided in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources). All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.
Manuscripts must be original material and have not been presented at any other scholarly conference, published, or accepted for publication at the time of submission.
Each submission should be made to one unit only.

INDIVIDUAL PAPER REQUIREMENTS

An individual paper is a stand-alone paper submitted directly by an author(s), which is reviewed individually and, if accepted, grouped into sessions by the unit planner. Paper submissions must a) be original material, b) have not been published, c) have not been accepted for publication at the time of submission, and d) have not been publicly presented at any other scholarly conference, convention, or like forum.

Submitted papers should be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and include, in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form:

A title
All author(s) for the paper. If all authors are students, please identify student-authored submissions on the electronic submission form.
A 200-250-word abstract description of the paper
A maximum of 25 pages of text (not including references, appendices, or footnotes) uploaded as a supporting file. Uploaded files MUST NOT include information identifying the author(s) on the cover page, in the title, body, abstract of paper, or in the document properties. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).
Please indicate on the title page and in the relevant check box on NCA Convention Central if the paper is “student-authored.”

As ACCS session space is limited, all individual paper submitters are encouraged to choose the option that states willingness to participate in the scholar-to-scholar series. This will increase the likelihood of your paper’s acceptance.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE ACCS?

Founded in 1991, the Association for Chinese Communication Studies (ACCS) is an ethnically inclusive, non-profit professional organization with a mission to promote teaching excellence and research prosperity, enhance academic exchange, facilitate career development of young scholars and graduate students, and build a sense of community among global scholars in the field of Chinese Communication Studies.

*The ACCS is an Affiliate of the NCA.

Faculty and students interested in Chinese Communication Studies are encouraged to join the ACCS. Visit the ACCS website for information about the association and how to join: https://www.chinesecommunicationstudies.com

Questions

For any questions regarding ACCS programming, please contact our 2025 Planner:

Lin Zhu
Lin.Zhu@umb.edu

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Association for Communication Administration

The purpose of the Association for Communication Administration is to promote discussion, study, criticism, research, and application of effective principles of education administration for the communication disciplines. Our mission is to promote knowledge, vision and skill in leadership for communication administrators.

The Association for Communication Administration seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme. We encourage creative submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to organizational issues as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration between attendees.

The Association for Communication Administration will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Association for Communication Administration programming, please contact:

Jennifer T. Edwards
Association for Communication Administration Planner
jtedwards@tarleton.edu

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Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine

The Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARSTM) invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2025 NCA convention. We invite submissions that respond to the convention theme—Communicate to Elevate—as it pertains to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.

The purpose of ARSTM is to promote research, teaching, and civic engagement that explores the communicative and persuasive dimensions of scientific, technical, and medical texts, genres, practices, materials, and settings. ARSTM is concerned with how scientific, technological, and medical discourses shape and are shaped by broader rhetorical, cultural, historical, and material forces.

Submissions may cover any area of the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine, including but not limited to the rhetorical analysis and criticism of (1) scientific, technological, and medical texts, materials, practices, and genres; (2) the production, deployment, invocation, and contestation of scientific ideas and technological visions in political, professional or disciplinary, and literary or social contexts (e.g., policy debates, controversies, popular culture); (3) discourses of reason and rationality, including reflexive engagement with the rhetoric of science as a field; and (4) issues of social justice as they intersect with scientific, technological, and medical problematics.

General Submission Information

All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants (https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf) before submission.
Please visit the Convention Resource Library, (https://www.natcom.org/convention-events/convention-resources/convention-resource-library) for resources like definitions of submission times and “how to submit” guides.

Submission Types

Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.

Individual Paper

Individual Paper submissions are for a single paper, which may have one or more authors. If accepted, the individual paper will be scheduled on a panel with other individual papers. Individual paper submissions should include a title, a paper description for the online convention program (75 words maximum), and an extended abstract of 500-1000 words (inclusive of footnotes/endnotes and references/works cited). The extended abstract should clearly outline connections to relevant scholarly conversations pertaining to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine, the contributions of the proposed project to that scholarship, the project’s methodology, and the texts or evidence (however broadly defined) on which claims will be based. Only PDF files will be accepted.

TOP STUDENT PAPER AWARD INFORMATION

To be considered for the Ploeger Award for top student paper (detailed below), Submitters must submit a complete paper of no more than 25 pages of 12-point and double-spaced text, excluding references or endnotes, including a maximum of100-word abstract. All authors must be students at the time of submission to be considered for this award. Submitters should indicate they are students by selecting the appropriate box on the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Paper Sessions are pre-conceived and complete sessions of papers. The papers are not submitted or reviewed individually and are not submitted by the author(s) but rather by the person submitting the paper session. The entire paper session is reviewed for consideration as a whole. Paper sessions must include chairs; respondents are optional. Paper Session submissions should include a title for the session, a session description for the online convention program (75 words maximum), a list of presenters, their institutional affiliations, and e-mail addresses, titles, and descriptions (250 words maximum) for each paper, and a session rationale (500 words maximum) justifying the theme of the session and the session’s significance to scholarship addressing rhetoric, science, technology, and medicine.

Panel Discussions

Panel Discussions are submitted as pre-conceived and complete sessions of presenters discussing a topic/issue. There are no papers presented at a panel discussion. Panel Discussion submissions should include a title for the panel, a panel description (75 words maximum) for the online program, a list of presenters, their institutional addresses and e-mail addresses, and a panel rationale (500 words maximum) justifying the theme of the panel and its significance to scholarship addressing concerns related to rhetoric, science, technology, and medicine.

Joanna Ploeger Memorial Essay Award

Established in 2007 in honor of the late ARSTM past President Joanna Ploeger, this award recognizes the top student papers submitted to ARSTM in a given year. Each year the award recipient’s work will be featured on the ARSTM top papers panel at NCA. Award recipients also receive a plaque and are recognized at the ARSTM business meeting.

To be considered for the Ploeger Award, applicants must submit a completed individual paper following the submission guidelines above. Proposals and works-in-progress submissions cannot be considered for the Ploeger Award.
Ploeger Award submissions must be marked as “student-authored” on the electronic submission form at NCA Convention Central. Submissions not marked as “student-authored” will not be considered for the Ploeger Award.

Additional Notes

A paper, session, or panel may only be submitted to one NCA unit.
Individuals may present only one paper on ARSTM-sponsored panels, whether submitted as an individual paper or as part of a session. However, individuals may chair or respond to other panels in addition to presenting a single paper.
Individuals should serve only one role on a panel (i.e. a chair should not also serve as a respondent; a presenter should not also serve as a chair).
Paper Sessions and Panel Discussions should be comprised of individuals from multiple institutions. ARSTM highly encourages the papers and panels of diverse presenters at different stages in their careers.
Papers should not have been accepted for publication before the time of submission.
Each submission should express a coherent project that addresses relevant concerns related to scholarship in rhetoric, science, technology, and medicine. Submissions should exhibit sound methodology. Extended abstracts should clearly outline the contributions of the proposed project and its methodology, scope, and texts.
Student papers should be marked as “student-authored” on the electronic submission form. Debut submissions should clearly indicate “Debut” status on the cover page of the uploaded document.
Equipment requests are available, and we encourage you to make any requests you require for accessibility. Requests for specific equipment must be submitted online and meet the same submission deadlines for papers, sessions, and panels.

Questions

For any questions regarding ARSTM programming, please contact:

Dr. Michelle Gibbons
University of New Hampshire
Email: michelle.gibbons@unh.edu

ARSTM Web: https://www.arstmonline.org/

ARSTM listserv: arstm@artsservices.uwaterloo.ca

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Communication Association of Eurasian Researchers

The purpose of the Communication Association of Eurasian Researchers (CAER) is to promote research, practice, and teaching that highlights communication and media practices in and/or about Eastern Europe, Central-Eastern Europe, Russia, CIS, Central Asia, and Caucasus.

The Communication Association of Eurasian Researchers seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme – Communication to Elevate. We encourage creative submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to communication and media studies from and about the region as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration between attendees, specifically on the international level.

The Communication Association of Eurasian Researchers will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the Communication Association of Eurasian Researchers programming, please contact:

Marta Natalia Lukacovic
Angelo State University
marta.lukacovic@angelo.edu

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Cross Examination Debate Association

The Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) is the primary national association promoting policy topic intercollegiate academic debate. CEDA encourages scholarship which promotes and develops understanding of argumentation and debate in contexts including academic debate, political debate, legal argumentation, and debate in the public sphere.

Submissions for presentation and discussion of issues important to competitive debate practice and the teaching of debate and argumentation, as well as argumentation theory, philosophy of argument, advocacy, decision making, argument across cultures, and argument in applied contexts are welcomed, as are interdisciplinary linkages within and beyond the field(s) of communication.

Submissions which address the 2025 Convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” are strongly encouraged. CEDA will accept the following submission types: individual papers, paper sessions, panel discussions, and performance sessions. All submissions must be made electronically via NCA Convention Central. Mailed or emailed papers will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submitters should list the title, paper description, and authors in the appropriate section of the electronic form. Submissions must include a complete, double-spaced, uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous copy are provided in the NCA Convention Resource Library. Abstracts will be considered, but completed papers are preferred. Papers will be anonymously reviewed. CEDA will recognize the Top Individual Paper submitted.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a session title and session description; and the entry of each paper title, description and authors involved. A session chair is required. A respondent is optional. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a session title, session description and identification of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission.

Performance Session

A performance session is submitted as a pre-conceived and complete session with a performer(s), chair(s), and respondent (optional). Debate formats are appropriate for performance sessions. Submissions must include session title and session description, individual performance titles and description/s, with identification of each participant involved; and a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. If submitting a debate submission, repeat the session title and description as the individual performance title and description in the appropriate section of the electronic form.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Audio Visual

AV / Technology requests must be made at the time of submission.

Questions

Need more information? Please contact the Cross Examination Debate Association Unit Planner, Alex McVey at j.alexander.mcvey@gmail.com.

The Submission Deadline is Mon., March 31, 2025 11:59 p.m. Pacific

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Institute of General Semantics

The purpose of the Institute of General Semantics is to promote research and teaching based on the discipline of general semantics and related approaches to understanding the human condition. Members are concerned with language, symbols, and perception; applied epistemology; scientific method writ large; behavior and cognition; order, relation, structure, and the systems view; meaning-making; critical thinking and evaluation of information; human potential; time-binding; media ecology; etc.

The IGS seeks submissions that address any aspect of the discipline of general semantics, including applications to interpersonal, organizational, and sociocultural matters, investigations of major general semantics scholars and authors, work that advances general semantics as a field of study and/or relates general semantics to other theories, philosophical traditions, or areas of interest, etc.

The IGS will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Individual Films, Individual Performances, Film Sessions, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Individual Film

Individual Performance

Submissions must include a title, description, keywords and performers’ information. Performances must be no longer than 20 minutes in length. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. As a supporting file, include a script, link to a video of the performance, or an outline of the performance.

Performance Session

Film Session

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the IGS Affiliate programming, please contact:

Lance Strate
IGS President and Affiliate Program Planner
strate@fordham.edu

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International Chinese Communication Association

The International Chinese Communication Association (ICCA), a long-time affiliate of the National Communication Association (NCA), invites submissions for the 111th NCA annual convention to be held in Denver, Colorado, November 20-23, 2025. The conference is held in person. ICCA does not accept online presentations or video recordings.

We invite submissions of full papers broadly related to all areas of Chinese communication themes, including but not limited to intercultural/international communication; crisis communication; the influence of new technologies and social media on communities; and contemporary communication issues in public and corporate policy, civic affairs, health, science, environment, sports, or entertainment. Submission of papers pertinent to the convention theme, “Communication to Elevate,” is particularly encouraged. ICCA embraces all theoretical and methodological approaches.

For the ICCA paper competition, each qualified submission will be reviewed by two reviewers. Papers will be evaluated on originality and importance of topic; adequacy of literature review; clarity and appropriateness of methods; soundness of analysis; validity and strength of conclusion and discussion; clarity and organization of writing; and relevance to the field of Chinese communication. ICCA will present a top faculty paper award and a top student paper award based on the results of the reviews. Papers submitted with both faculty and student authors will be considered faculty papers and are not eligible for student paper competitions.

Eligibility

You do not need to be an ICCA member to submit a paper to the ICCA competition. If your paper is accepted for presentation, however, you will need to register for the NCA convention and become an ICCA member in order to be part of the program. If you win a top faculty paper or a top student paper, you will be awarded one-year free ICCA membership.

Individual Paper Preparation and Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be in English. Each paper should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages in length, excluding references, tables and figures. All papers should use 12-point Times New Roman font and have 1-inch margins. Author’s identification information should be removed from the paper to ensure blind review. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

In the electronic submission form, enter the paper title, description (abstract) of no more than 250 words, 5-8 keywords, and author(s) information. Please indicate if this is a student submission in the first tab of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission.

Per the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants, you should only submit work that has not been published or has not been accepted for publication at the time of submission, you should submit only original work that has not been presented at another conference and that is not concurrently under consideration for another conference, and you should submit your proposal to only one NCA interest group or affiliate.

Special Note

Submissions not meeting the above criteria will not be considered for review and will automatically be disqualified from the competition.

Submission & Deadline

Please submit your paper online using the NCA submission site. All submissions must be made by 11:59 pm (Pacific Time), March 31, 2025.

Call for Reviewers

For those who do not plan to submit a paper to the ICCA session this year, please consider serving as an ad-hoc reviewer for ICCA. Please send us an email, indicating your preferred methodology and areas of expertise. Your service as an ICCA reviewer is greatly appreciated.

Questions

NCA-ICCA Session Planners’ Contact Information:

ICCA Vice President; Research & Conference Chair
Trisha Lin, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor
College of Communication
National Chengchi University
Email: trishlin@nccu.edu.tw

NCA-ICCA Conference Chair
Shaohai Jiang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communications and New Media
National University of Singapore
Email: cnmjs@nus.edu.sg

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International Listening Association

The International Listening Association is a cross-disciplinary, global network dedicated to promoting effective listening through practice, research and teaching. Our purpose is to promote such practice, research and teaching that highlights communicative behavior in a diverse variety of contexts.

We invite you to think creatively about designing panels and presentations that highlight the role of effective listening in our society. Submissions to the division may be theoretical, empirical, and/or methodological in nature. The division encourages a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. The division also encourages authors to consider the applied implications of their work when relevant.

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Submission Types

The International Listening Association Division will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a maximum 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the International Listening Association Division programming, please contact:

Philip C. Tirpak
International Listening Association Division Planner
ptirpak@nvcc.edu

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Japan-U.S. Communication Association

The Japan-U.S. Communication Association (JUCA) invites submissions for competitive review for the 111th NCA Annual Convention (November 20–23, 2025, in Denver, Colorado). Submitted work may address issues in any area of communication, including communication technology, social media, pop culture, journalism and mass communication, interpersonal/small-group/organizational communication, rhetoric, politics, health, peace, gender, and critical/cultural studies. All methods are welcome. However, they must be related to Japan or Japanese people/culture in some way, such as Japanese indigenous communication, Japan–U.S. communication or relations, and communication between Japanese and people of any nation, not just the United States. We encourage submitters to embrace the 2025 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate,” in their work.

JUCA will accept individual papers and panel discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must not exceed a maximum of 30 double-spaced pages of text, including the title page, abstract, keywords, tables, figures, and references. The paper must be uploaded as a supporting file.
Self-identifying information must be removed from the uploaded file to ensure a fair blind-review process. In particular, the title page must not include any self-identifying information. Please be sure to also eliminate other references to your particular coursework or institution before uploading your paper. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library.
AV request must be made at the time of submission.
We encourage submissions of complete papers, but we will also review extended abstracts of works in progress. An extended abstract ideally includes all components of a research paper except for results and discussion/conclusion, or the equivalent degree of completion for qualitative or critical scholarly works. Authors whose extended abstracts are accepted by JUCA must complete their papers and submit them by October 20, 2025, to Koji Fuse and the respondent assigned to their competitive paper session.
Students and debut scholars are especially encouraged to submit their work. A student paper means that all authors of the paper are students. If your work is a student paper, check the appropriate box.
Awards will be presented to the best student paper (with monetary award), as well as to the top paper, but only complete paper submissions will be eligible for the awards.
Submitters interested in being considered for a Scholar to Scholar poster session should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a panel title, session description, list of all panelists and session chair, list of co-sponsors, and rationale to delineate the importance of the submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.
The supporting file must include the following information: (a) panel title; (b) brief description of the panel; (c) list of all panelists and proposed chair, and their contact information; (d) list of co-sponsors; (e) detailed rationale for the panel (about 1,000 words) that includes a reference list; and (f) confirmation that all the participants will attend the panel if accepted.
AV requests must be made at the time of submission.
Please keep in mind that because JUCA’s session planning gives a strong preference to individual papers over panel discussions, those who consider submitting a panel discussion proposal must contact Koji Fuse or Jiro Takai before their submissions.

Acceptance requires paper authors and panel participants to join JUCA and register for the NCA convention and present their work at a JUCA unless an emergency arises. Membership to JUCA is free of charge. The JUCA membership application form is available at http://sites.google.com/site/japanuscommunication/. Click on “Join JUCA” on the menu of the website. It is the responsibility of authors of accepted papers to find a replacement to present their paper if they are unable to attend the convention. Unless the corresponding authors of accepted submissions respond to the JUCA planner’s email by Wednesday, August 8, to express their willingness to present their work in a JUCA session, we will assume their nonappearance and thus will delete their names from the NCA program.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library. Keep in mind that your manuscript must be original and unpublished. In other words, you must not submit the same paper to another conference or NCA division, a paper you already presented before at any other scholarly conference, or a paper already published or accepted for publication.

Questions

For any questions regarding the JUCA programming, please contact:

Koji Fuse
Mayborn School of Journalism, University of North Texas
Address: 1155 Union Circle #311460, Denton, TX 76203
Email: Koji.Fuse@unt.edu

Jiro Takai
School of Education, Nagoya University
Address: 1 Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
Email: jtakai@cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp

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Kenneth Burke Society

The Kenneth Burke Society Interest Group welcomes submissions that focus on Kenneth Burke Studies for the 111th NCA Annual Convention. The Kenneth Burke Society seeks to promote research in the theory and application of Burkean scholarship; submissions to this division should directly engage the works of Kenneth Burke. Papers and panels that engage with the 2025 convention theme, “Communicate to Elevate” will be given special consideration. The Kenneth Burke Society is particularly interested in promoting scholarship beyond the white, male, cis, etc. centered scholarship that has often defined Burke Studies. Therefore, submissions that connect Burkean scholarship to other scholarly traditions and NCA divisions are particularly welcome. The Kenneth Burke Society Interest Group will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Both Paper Sessions and Panel Discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from a single or couple of institution(s). Further, a single person should not serve more than one role on a session (i.e., chair, respondent, or presenter). Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted. For a definition of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions provided in the Convention Resource Library (www.natcom.org/conventionresources).

Individual Papers

Submitters must include the title, paper description, keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. Submissions must include a 30-page maximum, double-spaced copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an anonymous copy are provided in the Convention Resource Library. Recognition for the Top Paper will be awarded. Student papers must be clearly marked “student” to be considered for Top Student Paper.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission (https://www.natcom.org/sites/default/files/NCA_Convention_Resources_Convention_Standards.pdf).. Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library.

Call for Reviewers

If you would like to join our team of reviewers, please email Andri Kosasih (kosasiha@duq.edu) and provide details about your area of expertise.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Kenneth Burke Society programming, please contact:

Andri Kosasih
Kenneth Burke Society Planner
kosasiha@duq.edu

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Korean American Communication Association

The Korean American Communication Association (KACA), an affiliate organization of NCA, promotes research, teaching, scholarly community, and professional development in Korean communication studies, which includes, but is not limited to, research about Korea, about Korean diasporas, and about cross-cultural or international comparative studies that include Korea or its diasporas.

KACA seeks submissions that advance the 2025 NCA Convention Theme “Communicate to Elevate.” For the 2025 conference, we particularly welcome panels, papers, performances, and abstracts that seek to build community and structures to elevate. Consistent with this theme, we are especially interested in extended abstracts by graduate students and early career scholars, who want feedback to elevate their work toward publication. Extended abstracts should be 1,000-1,500 words and clearly articulate a research question or hypotheses, a clear theoretical framework, and a sound method. In addition, submissions should include a set of questions that the author seeks to answer in order to “elevate” their paper. KACA at NCA welcomes critical, interpretive, and (post-)positivist methods.

For session submissions, we value panels that reflect the heterogeneity of Korean communication studies – institution, institution type, location, generation, diasporic experience, marginalized positionalities within the diaspora and in Korea, and racial difference. Please note that KACA can only program one session apart from the business meeting and KOFICE-sponsored research session (see below), and extended abstracts will be preferred.

In continued partnership with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, one paper session will be dedicated to papers that receive KOFICE’s external funding. The submission process happens apart from this call. Please look for the call for grant proposals.

To clarify, KACA membership is not required for submission, although it is expected upon acceptance. Furthermore, submissions do not have to be solely about Korean contexts. For example, an extended abstract that includes participants who discuss queer experiences in Korea and other countries can be relevant to Korean communication studies. This also allows for co-sponsorships with other affiliated associations and interest groups. As another example, a paper could be comparative, examining US and Korean participants’ beliefs about brand messaging, and this would be considered relevant for KACA. Finally, Korean communication studies does not have to be about Korea as the site of study, but it can be about its diasporas or about transnational connections – Zainichi, Korean American, Joseonjok, Koryoin, mixed race, adoptees, interracial or interethnic relationships, etc.

In order to lean into this conference’s theme, we will elevate submissions with a top paper award – one for a top critical or interpretive paper and one for a top (post-)positivist paper.

Given our interests this year, we especially welcome extended abstracts. However, KACA accepts many types of submissions: (1) panel discussions, (2) paper sessions, (3) performance panels, (4) individual papers, and (5) extended abstracts. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central and conform to submission expectations of NCA. Submissions received via email or other means will not be accepted.

Extended Abstracts

Submissions must be between 1,000-1,500 words and represent work-in-progress. The proposal should include a purpose, a rationale, a brief review of relevant literature, guiding research questions, proposed methodology, and desired outcomes. Please note that acceptance will be contingent upon receiving a sufficient number of extended abstracts to constitute a research-in-progress session. The abstracts will not be “presented” but rather discussed in groups with senior colleagues.

Individual Papers

Submissions are limited to completed papers that are no longer than 30 double-spaced pages. Copies must be uploaded to NCA Convention Central and must be anonymized. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Please consider possible co-sponsorships when submitting your paper so that KACA can deepen its relationship with NCA interest groups. All methodologies and Korea/n-related interests are welcome.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title, a rationale (400-500 words), session description (75 words), and a chair (respondent is optional). Submissions must include a list of each presenter and their institutional affiliations. Please provide a clear rationale for the importance of the panel with respect to the mission of KACA and/or the NCA Convention Theme. There will be a strong preference for sessions that reflect the heterogeneity of our field and its members.

Paper Sessions

Submissions must include a title, panel rationale (400-500 words), description (75 words max), and a chair (respondent is optional). For each paper on the panel, include the title, description (abstract of 150 words or less), and authors with contact information. Please provide a clear rationale for the importance of the panel with respect to the mission of KACA and/or the NCA Convention Theme. There will be a strong preference for sessions that reflect the heterogeneity of our field and its members.

Performance Panels

Submissions must include a title, a rationale (250 words or less), and description (75 words), chair (respondent optional), and panel title. Each performance must include a title, abstract (100 words or less), performance titles, and the names of the performers with their contact information. Please provide a clear rationale for the importance of the panel with respect to the mission of KACA and/or the NCA Convention Theme. There will be a strong preference for sessions that reflect the heterogeneity of our field and its members.

Submission Deadline

Deadline for all submissions is March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Helpful resources, including live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the Convention Resource Library. All submitters are encouraged to review the Convention Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the NCA Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission.

You do not need to be a member of the NCA or the KACA to submit an individual paper, paper session, or panel discussion. However, if accepted, at least one author will need to (1) register for the NCA convention, (2) join or be an existing member of KACA, and (2) attend the convention to present the work.

Questions

For additional information or questions, please contact the KACA NCA Planner, David C. Oh (dcoh@syr.edu)

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Media Ecology Association

The purpose of the Media Ecology Association is to promote research and teaching that highlights how media shape and are shaped by human communication. Members demonstrate concern with how media act as environments and environments act as media in the creation of meaning, the production of messages, and the processing of information that makes communication possible. Our work speaks to a diverse array of issues facing communication and media studies by all members of NCA and we welcome submissions from a variety of perspectives, theoretical foundations, and research methodology.

The Media Ecology Association seeks submissions that portray, research, explore, discuss, or enhance the 2025 convention theme “Communicate to Elevate.” We invite thought provoking papers, paper panels, panel sessions, and other creative submissions that explore media as environments and environments as media. Topics related to the convention theme include: (1) Emerging ecologies of Artificial intelligence and/or Hypercomputing; (2) How media shape and inform issues of politics, economics, or culture; (3) Ongoing questions of justice and ethics in emerging media ecologies; (4) How different media ecologies enhance or detract from human communication; (5) How we participate in counter environments that contest the givens of emerging media ecologies; (6) as well as any other topic that fosters opportunities for collaboration between attendees.

The Media Ecology Association will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, and Panel Discussions/Roundtables. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion or roundtable.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the Media Ecology Association programming at NCA 2025, please contact the program planner:

Austin Hestdalen
Media Ecology Affiliate Program Planner
ahestdal@purdue.edu

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National Forensics Association

The National Forensics Association seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme. We encourage creative submissions that describe and analyze innovative approaches to forensics-related issues as well as ones that foster opportunities for collaboration between attendees.

The National Forensics Association will accept the following submission types: Individual Papers, Paper Sessions, Individual Performances, Performance Sessions and Panel Discussions. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 30-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. We will recognize the Top Paper in our division. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If a student submission, select student in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Individual Performance

Performance Session

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the National Forensics Association programming, please contact:

Dr. Nikki Freeman
NFA Vice President of Professional Relations
nfreeman@ucmo.edu

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National States Advisory Council

The purpose of the National States Advisory Council is to promote research and teaching related to the work of state communication associations.

The convention theme for NCA 2025 is “Communicate to Elevate.” NCA Second Vice President Tina Harris writes that this theme addresses “our duty as members of this intellectual community to strive to help others realize their potential as we work towards our own. In other words, we are ‘lifting as we climb,’ ensuring that we exchange wisdom and knowledge with others.” Second Vice President Harris encourages us to “come together as a beautifully complex and diverse community whose differences are celebrated, communicated, appreciated, and respected. This reflection suggests that we are actively prioritizing communication and in its many forms, regardless of (or because of?) the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, or practical underpinnings guiding our work.” The conference theme represents “a sustained opportunity to amplify the many voices, realities, and experiences that inform all that we do and who we are.”

The National States Advisory Council seeks submissions that portray, research, or enhance the convention theme. This year’s theme allows us the opportunity to think about how state communication associations elevate our field/discipline from the grass roots upward. We invite anyone who has connections to and experiences with state associations to submit ideas for a panel to discuss how state associations elevate our field/discipline and how all of us, as members and supporters of state associations, can communicate to elevate those associations in creative ways.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants, located in the Convention Resource Library, prior to submission (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources/).

The National States Advisory Council seeks panel submissions exclusively. Since we are a small but mighty band, please e-mail ideas directly to me; I will coordinate our efforts and do a final submission through NCA’s Convention Central.

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Questions

For any questions regarding the National States Advisory Council programming, please contact:

Janie Fritz
National States Advisory Council Planner
harden@duq.edu

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NFHS Speech, Debate, and Theatre Association

Coming Soon

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Partnership for Progress on the Digital Divide

Coming Soon

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Religious Communication Association

The Religious Communication Association (RCA) welcomes submissions for the 2025 National Communication Association Convention, November 20-23, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. RCA opens its portion of the Denver meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, one day before the NCA meeting officially begins on Thursday.

RCA is an interfaith 501 (c) (3) independent from NCA. As an affiliate organization, RCA proudly showcases religious communication scholarship during the NCA meeting and its separate one-day program before the NCA convention begins. Submissions to Convention Central will be considered simultaneously for NCA panels and inclusion in RCA Conference’s programming on November 19, 2025. Submission to the NCA review process for programming indicates your agreement to attend the preceding RCA Conference should your paper be programmed there.

The standards for acceptance for NCA and RCA are equally stringent. NCA allows multiple program sessions to RCA. This relationship and arrangement allow RCA to strengthen scholarly inquiry and foster meaningful dialogue among colleagues with increased presentation opportunities.

The 111th Annual Convention theme of the National Communication Association is “Communicate to Elevate.” Submissions open in January 2025.

RCA is also particularly interested in cross-sponsoring with other NCA units and affiliates. In your submission, please indicate if your paper/session/panel proposal involves potential inter-divisional cooperation within RCA or between RCA and other NCA divisions or affiliate groups.

The Religious Communication Association accepts submissions in various formats: competitive individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions.

Individual Papers

Individual papers should include an uploaded abstract and are limited to 25 double-spaced pages, excluding notes. Only completed papers will be considered. Individual paper uploads should not contain identifying information (author name, university affiliation, etc.). Note that the same paper may not be submitted to more than one division or planning unit, but there are no limits on the number of unique papers one individual may submit to NCA. Student Papers should be marked as such to be eligible for the RCA Student Paper of the Year Award and the Donald P. Cushman Award for the top student paper at the NCA convention. For multi-authored works to be eligible for these awards, all authors must be students. INDICATE if the paper is a STUDENT PAPER (undergraduate or graduate) by checking the appropriate box on the NCA Convention Central form. Review the “Scholar-to-Scholar” description below and indicate your willingness to present your paper as part of this Scholar-to-Scholar exchange if you think this is an appropriate venue for your scholarship. Choosing this option does not exclude your paper from consideration as a competitive paper. This option is an ADDITIONAL consideration and increases your chances for presentation acceptance at NCA.

Paper Sessions

These theme-based submissions should include (1) a session title, (2) a list of presenters with their institutional affiliations (multiple institutions must be represented), (3) titles and full abstracts for each individual presentation, (4) a detailed session description for the online convention program, and (5) a thoroughly developed rationale arguing for the significance and relevance of the session. A session chair is required and should not present a paper during the session. A respondent is optional. In your rationale, please indicate if your paper/session/panel proposal involves potential inter-divisional cooperation within RCA or between RCA and other NCA divisions or affiliate groups.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussions should include (1) a panel title, (2) a list of presenters and their institutional affiliations (multiple institutions must be represented), (3) a detailed session description for the online convention program, and (4) a thoroughly developed rationale describing the format of the discussion and arguing for the significance and relevance of the panel. Proposals for panel discussions are encouraged to demonstrate creative adaptation of the discussion format. A session chair is required. In your rationale, please indicate if your paper/session/panel proposal involves potential inter-divisional cooperation within RCA or between RCA and other NCA divisions or affiliate groups.

Scholar-to-Scholar Sessions

A one-on-one interactive format for communication and discussion will be employed. Individual papers are submitted for public display in dedicated sessions with engagement by selected “wandering scholars” (experts in the field). This format is appropriate for presentations such as videos, interactive media, slide shows, experiential activities, and posters. Please check the appropriate approval box on the electronic submission form if you want to be considered for Scholar-to-Scholar. Choosing this option does not exclude your paper from consideration as a competitive paper. Selecting this option is an ADDITIONAL consideration and increases your chances for presentation acceptance at NCA.

Submit ALL papers/sessions/panels to RCA online via NCA’s Convention Central site. Audio-visual requests must be made at the time of submission. Due to the excessive number of requests, late requests WILL NOT be accommodated. All participants should review the “Professional Standards for Convention Participants,” which will further clarify expectations. The “Professional Standards for Convention Participants” site includes live and recorded step-by-step instructions on submitting and is available in the NCA Convention Library (www.natcom.org/conventionresources).

Submissions are due by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST).

MORE INFORMATION

Please visit RCA’s website (www.relcomm.org) for information about the Association, upcoming events, the journal (Journal of Communication and Religion), resources, and more.

Questions

Please contact the 2025 RCA NCA Unit Planner for any questions regarding programming.

Theon E. Hill, Ph.D.
Communication Department
Wheaton College
theon.hill@wheaton.edu

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Russian Communication Association

The Russian Communication Association (RCA) welcomes submissions that focus on communication in, with, and about Russia for the 111th NCA Annual Convention. This year’s official theme is “Communicate to Elevate,” which has relevance for communication frameworks and interaction within Russia and beyond. The theme challenges us to explore how communication can serve as a tool for elevating individuals, communities, and scholarship, even in the face of complex global dynamics. Specifically, this theme reflects two core ideas:

The ethos of “lifting as we climb,” emphasizing the responsibility of scholars and practitioners to foster understanding and inclusivity, even in contentious or polarized environments.
Inspiring excitement and innovation in communication scholarship that addresses critical global challenges and opens pathways for progress.

We welcome a wide range of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches that advance our understanding of the communication discipline. These may include, but are not limited to, critical/cultural studies, rhetoric, media, intercultural, interpersonal, organizational, peace and conflict, gender and sexuality, political communication, and performative approaches. For instance, submissions exploring communicative or rhetorical behavior, social interaction, or theoretical contributions to mediated or face-to-face communication within the context of Russia would be highly appropriate. However, submissions should not be limited to Russia alone, as long as they maintain a connection to it in some way.

Beyond traditional submission types, we encourage innovative approaches that may diverge from conventional presentational formats or do not require the literal presence of participants. We also welcome panel discussion proposals that feature presenters from multiple institutions and/or countries, fostering diverse and collaborative perspectives.

We accept submissions in multiple formats: 1) Individual Papers; 2) Extended Abstracts/Works in-progress; 3) Paper Session; 4) Panel Discussions. For definitions of submission types, please refer to the step-by-step “How to Submit” Instructions provided in the Convention Library. All submissions must be made via NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be accepted.

Individual Papers

Submissions must include a max 25-page, double-spaced uploaded copy of the paper. Copies must be uploaded into NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information. Instructions on how to prepare an unidentifiable copy are provided in the Convention Library. Submitters should NOT upload a separate cover page, or any file with identifying information in the document text or properties. Submissions should include title, paper description (abstract), keywords, and author information in the appropriate sections of the electronic submission form. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. If it is a student submission, select “student” in the electronic form. All authors must be students, in this case. Submitters interested in being considered for Scholar to Scholar session (poster session) should indicate their interest in the electronic submission form.

Extended Abstract/Works in-Progress Requirements

“I am submitting this abstract to be considered for a panel discussion.”
“I plan to have the paper completed by November 2025 and want it to be considered for a paper session.”

Paper Sessions

Panel Discussions

Submissions must include a title and session description. Submissions must include the list of each presenter involved. A session chair is required. Please provide a rationale for acceptance outlining the importance of the submission. AV requests must be made at the time of submission. No papers are presented as part of a panel discussion.

Reminder About Professional Standards

Call for Reviewers

If you would like to join our team of reviewers, please email Evgeniya Pyatovskaya (epyatovskaya@usf.edu) and provide details about your area of expertise.

Questions

For any questions regarding the Russian Communication Association programming, please contact:

Evgeniya Pyatovskaya
Russian Communication Association Planner
9epyatovskaya@usf.edu

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Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction

The Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction welcomes individual papers that address theoretical, methodological, and application issues of the symbolic interactionist approach. Individual papers developing theory or discussing research practice relating to the convention theme are especially encouraged. A definition of the submission type is available in the “How-to-Submit” powerpoint in the NCA Convention Resource Library.

Individual Papers

Paper abstracts will be accepted, but completed papers are preferred. Copies must be uploaded to NCA Convention Central and must not include identifying information in the uploaded document. The page limit to the uploaded document is 30 pages including tables, references, etc. All submissions must include an author, description, keyword and AV requests in the electronic submission form. Please include Scholar-to-Scholar as an option for presentation.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources (including the Professional Standards for Convention Participants), such as recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the NCA Convention Library.

Questions

For questions regarding programming, please contact the planner:

Shing-Ling Sarina Chen
sarina.chen@uni.edu

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Urban Communication Foundation

Submission Deadline: Mon, 3/31/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

The Urban Communication Foundation promotes research that enhances our understanding of communication patterns in the urban environment and encourages collaboration between communication scholars, urban planners, and policy makers. We support diverse and interdisciplinary research strategies that recognizes noteworthy scholarship in this area, and invite participation from all scholars and practitioners studying the various forms of urban communication.

We encourage submissions that connect to the convention theme, “Communication for Greater Regard” in relation to the urban environment. We invite individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions that links communication scholarship to our understanding of the urban environment. We welcome theoretical and applied research and panels that explore how our work as communication scholars can have an impact on social and public policy in urban centers. We actively seek new opportunities to disseminate our work. We are intentionally “eclectic” and open to new and alternative approaches. Also, we encourage submission focusing on scholarship beyond the dominant traditional normative perspectives and encourage postcolonial and any other work that recognizes the rights of marginal communities to urban spaces.

Topics include but are not limited to:

The communication of cultural and social differences in the city (e.g. gender, class, race, ethnicity, sexuality)
Negotiations, divides, conflicts in urban contexts (e.g. political, religious, economic, ethnic)
Identity politics and intercultural communication in the city
Political, countercultural, and social movements in the urban environment
Power and urban space (e.g. urban regeneration, segregation, gentrification)
Aesthetic, semiotic, rhetorical and discursive dimensions of urban spaces and places
Visual, material, aural, sensorial, and multimodal aspects of urban space
Urban space and the communication of memory, heritage, tradition
Spaces of production, consumption and/or citizenship
The relationship between urban, suburban, and rural spaces
Representing and communicating the city (e.g. tourism and travel media, city and place branding, cinematic and televised urban spaces)
Urban media ecologies
Media and technology usage in cities and their role in the experience of urban space (e.g. geo-location, new public and private spaces, augmented reality)
The presence of media and technology in the urban environment (e.g. new forms of architecture, security/surveillance technologies, screens, mobile media and communication devices)
The relationship between cities and the media, cultural, and creative industries (e.g. strategies of attraction of media companies into cities, impacts on communities and urban landscapes, connectivity and infrastructure, the local/global nexus)
Renewal vs gentrification

Submission Method and Deadline

Online submissions will be accepted via NCA Convention Central until March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Please click the “Submit Now” button below to begin your submission. Submission correspondence is required through Convention Central.

Types of Submissions

Interested colleagues are encouraged to submit individual papers, paper sessions, and/or panel discussion proposals that address the convention theme as it relates to urban communication. (Conformity with the NCA convention theme is not a requirement for submission). UCF has limited program times but will consider the following three types of submissions: individual papers, paper sessions (common theme paper presentations); and panel discussions (common topic roundtable discussion).

Individual Papers: All paper submissions should include an uploaded file less than 25 pages (double spaced) in length, including references and tables, and have (a) a title; (b) a 250–500-word description; and (c) no personal identification of the author in the abstract or throughout the paper upload. Please remove all personal identification before uploading the document online. Needs to be prepared for anonymous review. If your submission is a student paper, please be sure to indicate this.

Paper Sessions are composed of a group of authors with papers to present centered upon a common theme. Paper Session proposals must include (a) a session title and description describing the session’s overall focus; (b) indicate the session chair and respondent; (c) the title of each paper on the session and author information; (d) an abstract of no more than 75 words for each paper; and (e) a rationale of no more than 250 words for the session.

Panel Discussions are composed of a group of panelists who discuss a specific topic. Submitters may use the exact same text for both the description and rationale if they do not wish to create a separate rationale (reviewers will use the rationale when evaluating this type of panel). Complete panel discussion proposals in this format will therefore include (a) a panel title describing the panel’s overall focus; (b) a list of all presenters, with their affiliations; (c) a description of no more than 250 words; and (d) a rationale of no more than 250 words.

All panel discussion or paper session proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (a) solid organization and preparation, with clear indication of the focus and rationale of the panel; (b) clear, strong integration/coherence among the topics of the individual papers or presentations; and (c) relation to UCF mission. All submitters are also asked to consider creative collaborations and co-sponsorship with other units. Paper session and panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, or presenter) in a submission.

NCA Policy: Audio/Visual Equipment

NCA policy entails providing reasonable A/V support of presentations at its annual convention. However, equipment requests must be kept to a minimum because of their high cost. Submitters must therefore adhere to the following guidelines:

A/V equipment requests MUST be made at the same time as the paper or panel’s submission, and will be screened by the program planner.
NCA will normally approve requests for the following equipment: laptop audio, Internet connection and LCD projectors.
NCA will NOT normally approve requests for equipment such as laptops, transparency projectors, VCR or DVD players, camcorders, satellite links, or teleconference/webinar equipment.
Individuals may, of course, elect to rent equipment for/at the convention at their own expense.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission, including the anti-harassment policy. Helpful resources (including the Professional Standards for Convention Participants), such as live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the NCA Convention Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).

Finally, the Urban Communication Foundation is very competitive. We usually only host two panels per convention. However, we sometimes organize a pre-conference and encourage submissions there as well. This call usually appears in the summer.

Program Planners

Peter Haratonik, pharatonik@gmail.com
Erik Garrett, garrette@duq.edu

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