06/17/2025

2026 ECA Convention Communication Administration Interest Group Call for Papers

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS OF PAPERS, PANELS, WORKSHOPS, AND  ROUND TABLES

2026 Eastern Communication Association Convention

Submission Deadline: October 19, 2025, 11:59 PM PDT
Convention Dates: April 9 – April 12, 2026
Convention Location: Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA
Convention Theme: “Emergence”

The Communication Administration Interest Group invites submissions for ECA’s 117^th Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In recognition of the city’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.  We encourage those engaged in communication administration at any level (whether formal or informal) to submit programming related to the conference theme.  Submissions might address but is not limited to topics such as:  

• What ideas, transformative works, and best practices are emerging for communication administrators? How should communication administrators respond?
• What impact do emerging technologies have on communication administration?

• What communication theories might offer emerging insights for the practice of communication administration?

• How can/will/must communication administration emerge in the context of the current political landscape?
• In what ways is the emergence of communication administration nurtured,

encouraged, or strengthened? How can these practices be sustained?

• How can communication administrators be responsive to calls for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in our departments and institutions?

All submissions should be uploaded to and processed through Attendee Interactive.  Find the link at ECAcomm.org.  Submissions received outside of the Attendee Interactive link will not be considered for acceptance.

Competitive Papers

Abstracts or incomplete papers are not acceptable in this category. Submissions of completed papers should be no more than 25 pages, excluding title page, abstract, references, and appendices. Completed papers should be written in accordance with standards set by the Chicago Manual of Style, the American Psychological Association (APA), or the Modern Language Association (MLA). Submissions related to Communication Administration should be uploaded to Attendee Interactive and must include the following elements:

• Title: to appear on the title page of the paper as well as entered separately into Attendee Interactive.
• One-Page Abstract: The abstract will be entered into Attendee Interactive separately from the manuscript. (It may also be included in the manuscript, immediately following the title page.)
• Title Page: to include the title of the paper and the author(s) institutional affiliation(s), mailing address(es), telephone number(s), and e-mail address(es).
• Statement of Professional Responsibility: to appear on the title page of the paper. (Text appears below.)
• Debut Paper: The word “Debut” should be marked on all papers written by authors who have not presented previously at a regional or national convention.  The “Debut” designation is to appear on the title page.
• Requests for AV: A/V will be provided—a projector, screen, and adaptor cables for PC/Mac will be available.  Presentations should be downloaded to laptops in advance, as Internet Access is limited in breakout rooms.  Google Slides and PowerPoint templates featuring the convention theme and logo will be available on the convention tab of the website.  NOTE: Requests for Internet Access and speakers for sound must be indicated with the submission.  
• Special Requests: If you require an ADA accommodation, please make these requests via Attendee Interactive, rather than on the manuscript.
• Final Paper: Remove all identifying information for blind review.
• NOTE: If the paper has multiple authors, indicate which author or authors will present the work at the convention.

Program/Panel Proposals  

All program/panel submissions related to Communication Administration should be uploaded to Attendee Interactive and must include the following elements:

• A thematic title for the program/panel.
• The names and institutional affiliations of the Chair and Respondent (if any). Chairs and respondents should be two different individuals, preferably not from the same institution.
• The names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations of all program/panel participants. Presenters should not serve as chairs nor as respondents.
• The program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final convention program.
• A detailed rationale for the program/panel.
• Supporting information that include titles and brief abstracts for each paper or presentation comprising the panel.
• A/V will be provided—a projector, screen, and adaptor cables for PC/Mac will be available.  Presentations should be downloaded to laptops in advance, as Internet Access is limited in breakout rooms.  Google Slides and PowerPoint templates featuring the convention theme and logo will be available on the convention tab of the website.  NOTE: Requests for Internet Access and speakers for sound must be indicated with the submission.  
• Special Requests: If you require an ADA accommodation, please make these requests via Attendee Interactive, rather than on the manuscript.
• Estimated attendance for the panel/program.
• Statement of Professional Responsibility, to be included with the program rationale. (Text appears below.)

Round Table Discussion Proposals

Submissions in this category should feature five to eight presenters who share brief position papers on a single, focused topic related to Communication Administration. Submissions should be uploaded to Attendee Interactive and must include the following:

• A thematic title for the round table discussion.
• A detailed rationale for the round table discussion.
• The names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations of all round table discussion participants. (Ideally, participants will come from multiple institutions.)
• Program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program.
• A/V will be provided—a projector, screen, and adaptor cables for PC/Mac will be available.  Presentations should be downloaded to laptops in advance, as Internet Access is limited in breakout rooms.  Google Slides and PowerPoint templates featuring the convention theme and logo will be available on the convention tab of the website.  NOTE: Requests for Internet Access and speakers for sound must be indicated with the submission.  
• Special Requests: If you require an ADA accommodation, please make these requests via Attendee Interactive, rather than on the manuscript.
• Estimated attendance for the round table discussion.
• Statement of Professional Responsibility, to be included with the roundtable discussion rationale. (Text appears below.)

Statement of Professional Responsibility:

When submitting papers, panel proposals, workshop session proposals, or round table discussion proposals, the following statement must be included.  Submissions without this statement will not be programmed.

“In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/we recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/we agree to present this paper or program/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 the required fees.”

Please contact the 2026 Communication Administration Interest Group Program Planner, via e-mail, for further information:  Timothy J. Brown, Dean of the Arts & Humanities, and Professor of Communication Studies at Eastern University: timothy.brown@eastern.edu