07/24/2025

2026 ECA Convention Interpersonal Communication Interest Group Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions 
Interpersonal Communication Interest Group  
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 Interpersonal Communication Interest Group invites submissions for the 117th Eastern Communication Annual Convention to be held at the Sheraton Station Square from April 9-April 12, 2026. The theme “Emergence” invites us to consider and reflect on the emergence of new perspectives, the rise of cultural or societal trends/movements, and/or the emergence of creative ideas. In connection with this theme, submissions may consider:

• How can/will/must our area of the discipline emerge in the context of our current societal and political landscape?
• What emerging ideas or practices should we consider in our teaching, theorizing, and researching?
• How can we best support our students as they emerge from/as academics?
• What is not emerging that should, and what should we do about it?

Please consider submitting any of the following: individual or co-authored papers, thematic discussion panels, workshop sessions, paper panels, open forum sessions, etc.

Paper Submission Guidelines

Completed papers that report original research, provide an extensive literature review, or showcase some other form of scholarship are invited. Papers should be a maximum of 25 double-spaced pages (excluding title page, abstract, references, and appendices), comply with the APA 7th edition guidelines, and be submitted as a PDF. Remove all identifying information (author name, university affiliation) in the document file before making your submission.

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.

Panel/Round Table/Workshop Submissions Guidelines

We welcome submissions for a variety of programs including thematic paper panels, roundtable discussion panels, and other creative formats that support the convention theme. Submitters are highly encouraged to include participants from more than one institution.

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 roundtable/workshop proposals, 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 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.   
  • 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! 

Additional Information
Please note that a paper or panel should only be submitted to one interest group for consideration.

The Interpersonal Communication Interest Group at ECA utilizes Attendee Interactive for all submissions and blind reviews, accessed by this link https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2601/

Please contact Angela La Valley at alavalle@commonwealthu.edu if you have questions about the submission process. For additional information about the convention, including short courses and other programming, please see the ECA website available at www.ecasite.org.

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January 2026