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05/24/2018

ECA 110th Convention - Theory and Methodology Interest Group Call for Papers

EASTERN COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION 

CALL FOR PAPERS: THEORY & METHODOLOGY INTEREST GROUP 

110th Annual ECA Convention

Providence, Rhode Island

Wednesday, April 10 – Sunday, April 14, 2019 

"Creating our Future"

Providence, Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by renegade preacher Roger Williams to escape religious persecution in Massachusetts. Providence was so named to express William’s appreciation of God’s protection. A more secular translation of Providence is “the foresight or care exercised by a person in the management of affairs or resources.” Providence is now proud to call itself “The Creative Capital.”

To honor the founding principles of Providence and the creative identity of Providence, it is appropriate our conference theme be “Creating Our Future.” The 110th Annual ECA Conference will be built around the idea of “Creating Our Future” through the management of resources emanating from our research and scholarly activities to transforms lives, communities, and organizations. 

In 2007, I was the ECA program planner in Providence and I can tell you from an informed perspective: This city is nothing but fantastic.  Walkable, charming, and "classic New England," I welcome all of you to consider attending ECA and to submit your ideas and scholarship to Theory and Methodology--the ECA unit that I'm overseeing this year.

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Communication theory and research methods--with its rich legacy in the field--is opportunistic for submissions related to future-centeredness. Whether discussing the direction of the field, the trajectories of research, or the influence and value of praxis, theory and research remain instrumental to the future of how we think and talk about human behavior.

Because theory and methodology cut across all faculty levels, institutional types, and scholarly contexts, we honor all types of submissions. We welcome graduate students who may be testing out a theory, as well as seasoned researchers who wish to interrogate current theoretical thinking. We will be interested in listening to those who teach theory and methods and those who may be new to the conversation. From textbook use to classroom content, from honoring theoretical and methodological traditions to forecasting new(er) and more innovative traditions, an abundance of discussion topics remain important to examine. Exploring how theory and methodology contribute to our personal and professional challenges will be of particular value. And, of course, we are also especially interested in listening to views, experiences, and/or research from our colleagues around the global. 

On a somewhat related note, Providence is among the Top most charming cities in New England! 

Program Categories

Program ideas for all submissions can be of several types and some are identified below. Creativity is encouraged when designing program proposals. All submissions should be labeled with a title from one of the following categories:

Individual Paper: a completed paper reporting original research, an extensive literature review, or other form of scholarship. Papers are grouped by interest group planners to create panels. Each panel must have a chair to introduce each paper and moderate the discussion; respondents should be provided as necessary.

Panel: a program where three to four speakers present individual papers on a specific topic area. Each panel will comprise a chair to introduce each paper and moderate the presentation of papers and any discussion; if appropriate, a respondent should also be provided by the panel members.

Workshop Session: a program led by two or three experts on a particular topic, with active audience involvement and participation.

Round Table Discussion: a program featuring 5-8 presenters who briefly share a position paper or summary of recent research on a focused topic moderated by a chair with “on-the-spot” interaction and discussion by participants and audience.

Debate: a traditional debate on an announced topic, with pro and con statements and rebuttals.

Open Forum: a semi-structured public discussion of a predetermined topic of interest introduced and moderated by a chair. The goal of such a program is to share information, ideas, concerns, and special interests

**Preference will be given to those submissions that are not comprised of panelists from the same academic institution. Spread the word and wealth! 

ECA will now be using 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. The deadline for submissions remains the same, October 15, 2018 at 11:59 PM. You will be prompted to create a new User ID and Password to submit your work. An email will be sent to the membership in the next couple of months to announce when Attendee Interactive will be open for submission. Additional information, including a link to the submission page, will be sent to ECA members on the day the submission website opens. 

Submission Guidelines for Completed Papers 

Papers should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 6th edition (whichever is appropriate). The following fields will be completed for individual submissions: 

Submission Guidelines for Panel/Program Proposals/Round Tables/Debates  

Please submit panel/program proposals is one MS Word file (.doc or .docx). Proposals should be written according to the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 6th edition (whichever is appropriate). Include the following items in all panel/program submissions: 

Include the following statement with submissions. 

In submitting the attached paper/panel, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this paper/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. 

Let's make the Theory & Methodology Interest Group a pivotal venue to discuss our scholarly and pedagogical future! 

Cordially,

Rich West, Theory & Methodology Interest Group Vice-Chair 

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