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07/24/2025

2026 ECA Convention Applied Communication Interest Group Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions 
Applied 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 Applied Communication Interest Group invites submissions for ECA’s 117th Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. The 2026 convention theme is “Emergence” which 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. This theme encourages submissions that creatively, innovatively, and openly engage with this theme, drawing on your unique experience. The theme aligns well with Applied Communication as it calls for submissions that explore: 

  • 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? How should we respond? 
  • How can we best support our students as they emerge from academics? 
  • 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 impeded, stifled, or silenced? How should we respond? 
  • How can we encourage our own emergence within ourselves? 
  • What is not emerging that should, and what should we do about it?

As you prepare your submissions, we encourage you to reflect on how your scholarship contributes to our collective effort in addressing these meaningful questions. All submissions must be uploaded through Attendee Interactive, accessed through the ECA website at https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2601/. Training material is available online for using this site. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETED PAPERS  

Papers should be a maximum of 25 double-spaced pages, not including references and appendices, and typed in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Times New Roman font is preferred. Papers should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. The main document must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author/s, institution/s, or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

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.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR PANEL PROPOSALS  

Panel proposals should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. The document/s must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author/s, institution/s, or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

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. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS  

Round table discussion proposals should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. Upload supporting documents that include the purpose of the Round Table, an agenda for the Round Table, and an invitation for audience participation in the Round Table. The request for audience participation should be included in the 100-word description. The document/s must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author/s, institution/s, or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

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.

All submissions must include the Statement of Professional Responsibility: 

In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that an accepted paper, panel, or poster is considered a professional responsibility. If this submission is accepted and programmed, I/We agree to register for the ECA convention, pay fees, and present the work. I/We understand that presenters with last-minute emergencies should take all possible measures to arrange an alternate presenter and communicate their plans to both the Interest Group Planner and ECA VP.  

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 all questions to the Applied Communication Interest Group Planner, Mary Donato, donatom@central.edu

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January 2026 

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