Dear NCA Members,
I am delighted to share this edition of spectra, which focuses on crucial topics in the Communication discipline. As our field continues to address new and evolving challenges and opportunities, it is essential that we continue to examine the focus of our scholarship, including our research practices, methodologies, and the impact of our work.
NCA is persistent in demonstrating our commitment to advancing Communication scholarship. Some of our recent highlights include:
- University of Utah just concluded a Doctoral Honors Seminar, bringing 27 doctoral students and nine faculty members together to learn, network, and engage in productive discussions about research. NCA provided significant financial and administrative support for the successful Seminar.
- Last month, the first Communication Pedagogy Grant was launched. It joins a slate of other vital NCA grants supported by your membership that promote research and the translation of research into the Communication classroom.
- Our regular Virtual Learning Opportunities (VLOs), led by NCA First Vice President Jeanetta Sims, are proving to be very successful among members and continue to demonstrate that Communication research.
These initiatives, along with the scholarship that will be presented at the 110th Annual Convention in New Orleans in November, showcase NCA’s dedication to fostering innovative research and supporting the scholarly pursuits of our members.
In this issue of Spectra, we explore several critical aspects of Communication research:
- T.J. Thomson, Lesley Irvine, and Glen Thomas discuss the peer review process in our field, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for improvement.
- Kory Riemensperger writes about how NCA’s Research Cultivation grants supported Comfort Adebayo’s research on sexual education in Nigeria.
- R.E. Purtell reflects on recruiting samples from hard-to-reach populations, emphasizing the importance of researcher positionality and ethical considerations.
These articles, along with others in this issue, underscore the need for continual examination and refinement of our research practices to ensure we produce rigorous, inclusive, and impactful scholarship.
I encourage you to engage deeply with the contents of this spectra issue and consider how the ideas presented might inform your own research practices. As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas on how NCA might better support your scholarly endeavors.
Thank you for your continued dedication to advancing the field of Communication.
See you in New Orleans!
Marnel Niles Goins
NCA President