07/24/2025

2026 ECA Convention Critical/Cultural Communication Interest Group Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions 
Critical/Cultural Communication Interest Group (formerly Intercultural)
The 117th Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association
Emergence  
Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA  

April 9 – 12, 2026  

Submission Deadline: October 19, 2025, 11:59 pm PST

The Critical/Cultural Communication (formerly Intercultural Communication) Interest Group is requesting paper and panel submissions for the 117th Annual ECA Convention. 

In recognition of Pittsburgh’s rich history and evolution, “Emergence” has been chosen as the theme for the 2026 ECA Convention. This theme invites reflection on the emergence of new perspectives, enlightenment, or awakening; the rise of cultural or societal trends, movements, or norms; and the emergence of creative ideas, movements, or transformative works. The conference theme lends itself well to critical/cultural concerns as we think about power differentials in particular context. Submissions that creatively, innovatively, and openly engage with this theme, and particularly those that draw on submitters’ unique experiences, are encouraged. 

Submissions may explore the following: 

• How can/will/must our discipline emerge in the context of the current political landscape?
• What ideas, transformative works, and best practices are emerging in teaching, learning, practicing, researching, and theorizing? Aware of how power moves in various cultural contexts, how should we respond?
• How can we best support our students as they emerge from academic programs and contend with current upheaval in higher education? 
• In what ways is our emergence as communication educators, researchers, and practitioners nurtured, encouraged, or strengthened? How can this be celebrated? Alternatively, in what ways is our emergence as communication educators, researchers, and practitioners currently impeded, stifled, or silenced? How might we leverage critical/cultural theories and methods to understand and challenge current inequality and injustices? 
• Aware of our positionalities, strengths, and blind spots, how can we encourage emergence within ourselves?
• What is currently not emerging in our culture that should, and what should we do about it? 

The Critical/Cultural Interest Group is devoted to the study and practice of representing, performing, and negotiating cultural identities in face-to-face interaction and mediated communication in cross-cultural and international contexts, with particular attention to power dynamics. The interest group welcomes submissions from scholars at all stages in their academic careers, especially those interested in integrating theory and practice in critical/cultural communication research.

As much of our work intersects with diverse voices and methodologies, we especially encourage proposals that can be co-sponsored by our colleagues in Voices of Diversity, and from scholars who previously presented work to the recently dissolved Interpretation & Performance Studies Interest Group. Cross-interest group submissions may include autoethnographic engagement, narrative methodological work, and performance pieces.

Papers and panel/program proposals must be submitted electronically by Sunday, October 19, 2025, 11:59 PST. 

ECA uses Attendee Interactive to manage submissions and reviews. This is the same system used by the National Communication Association so you may be familiar with it. You will be prompted to create a new User ID and Password to submit your work through this link:https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2601/. The link can also be found on ECA’s Convention website.

The Critical/Cultural Interest Group invites three types of submissions with the following specific requirements for each type. 

When submitting a paper, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields: 

• Title  
• Author/s  
• Abstract  
• Categories: Indicate if student and/or debut paper
• Additional Information:
• Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.
• Documents: Upload Main Document (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.) 
  • At the bottom of the cover page, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached paper, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this paper if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.

When submitting a panel, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields:

• Title  
• Chair/Respondents  
• Abstracts: Add individual presentation titles, descriptions, and presenters
• Panel Description  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
  • In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
• Additional Information:
  • Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.  

When submitting a round table, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields:

• Title  
• Participants: Enter Chair and Featured Expert/s information  
• Round Table Description (100 words or less)  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
  • In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
• Additional Information:
  • Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling. 
• Target Audience: Describe the intended audience, including who would most benefit from attending.

Technology A/V Availability
The 2026 Convention will be fully equipped with technology capabilities. A projector, screen, sound, wireless mouse and slide advancer, and Wi-Fi will be available in all breakout rooms. Presenters must supply their own laptop. Google Slides and PowerPoint templates featuring the convention theme and logo are available on the convention tab of the website. We encourage all attendees to take full advantage of these resources to create engaging presentations! 

Please send your inquiries to the 2026 Critical/Cultural Interest Group Planner Dr. Anna E. Lindner at alindne5@naz.edu. For additional information about the upcoming convention, please visit ECA’s website http://www.ecasite.org/.

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January 2026