07/21/2026

2027 ECA Convention Communication Administration Interest Group Call for Submissions

2027 ECA Convention Communication Administration Interest Group Call for Submissions

Dear Colleague,

For the first time in 16 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia (my state!) will host the ECA Annual Convention. The 2027 convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Fairfax County — an area where discourse shapes national dialogue, diverse communities converge, and history unfolds. The theme, "Full Circle," invites reflection on cyclical ideas, relationships, and professional journeys.

As the conference planner for the Communication Administration Interest Group, I'm including the call for submissions (see details below).  Please consider submitting a proposal to present at the conference.

Also, please note there will be an Administrator's Lunch at the conference, which will feature a Q&A panel with Communication Administrators.  The lunch panel will be a great opportunity to build relationships and to network with your fellow communication administrators. More to come! 

Sincerely,

Lori Britt

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Call for Submissions
Communication Administration Interest Group
The 118th Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association
Full Circle  
Hyatt Regency, Reston, VA

March 30-April 4, 2027 

Submission Deadline: October 9, 2026, 11:59 pm PST  

The Communication Administration Interest Group invites submissions for ECA’s 118th Annual Convention in Reston, Virginia (outside DC). The conference theme, "Full Circle," invites reflection on the cyclical nature of ideas, relationships, and professional journeys. As scholars, we return — to foundational theories, to formative mentors, to the first questions that drew us to the discipline. As a profession, we cycle through waves of innovation and consolidation, of challenge and recommitment to core values. As an organization, ECA itself comes full circle to Virginia — renewing its connections to the region and communities where communication scholarship meets democratic life.

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 are not limited to topics such as:  

• Who (theoretically or in practice) has informed your approach to communication administration? How have these lessons created a full-circle moment for you?
• How can communication programs reconnect with their original missions while embracing the continuous cycles of accreditation, assessment, and reform?
• What cyclical patterns of leadership, transition, and institutional memory define the work of communication program administration?
• Higher Education has always been impacted by technologies. How are our current technological challenges similar to previous challenges we have experienced, and how might AI in particular represent something fundamentally new for administrators to have to address? 
• How can/will/must communication administration emerge in the context of the current political landscape? How have we addressed similar threats and challenges in the past, and what lessons learned can we employ in this moment?

All submissions should be uploaded to and processed through Attendee Interactive.  Find the link at https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2701/.  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). 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.

Program/Panel Proposals  

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.  

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.  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 2027 Convention will be equipped with technology capabilities. A projector, screen, sound, wireless mouse and slide advancer, and Wi-Fi will be available in most breakout rooms. Submitters will be asked to request technology, if needed, as part of the submission. 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 contact the 2027 Communication Administration Interest Group Program Planner via e-mail for further information: Lori L. Britt, Director, School of Communication Studies, James Madison University: brittll@jmu.edu. 

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January 2027