Complete Story
03/09/2026
2026 ECA Convention Instructional Communication Interest Group Convention Program
Dear Instructional Communication Division Members,
I am especially excited to welcome everyone to Pittsburgh for ECA 2026. As a Pittsburgh native, it is wonderful to have our association gather in the Steel City. I hope you enjoy the conference, the beautiful riverfront views, and the energy of this great city.
Please consider joining us for the following Instructional Communication sessions:
~Thursday~
Emerging Instructional Research
8:30–9:45 AM | Edenburg
This panel highlights emerging lines of instructional communication research, including work on instructor technology behaviors, supportive classroom climates, theory building, and communication practices that support student success.
Bringing Difficult Conversations Home: Translation of Difficult Topics Outside the Classroom
10:00–11:15 AM | Pointview
This roundtable explores how difficult classroom conversations about topics such as death, aging, and current events extend beyond class and shape communication in students’ everyday lives.
Emergence of Learning and Teaching: Reflective Instructional Practices Across Contexts
2:30–3:45 PM | Stoops Ferry
This session examines reflective instructional practices across communication contexts and showcases creative pedagogical approaches that invite continued learning and engagement.
Emergent Neurodiversities: Rethinking Learning, Teaching, and Identity Across Generations
4:00–5:15 PM | Haselton 2
Scholars in this panel consider how neurodivergence and generational identity are reshaping higher education and call for more adaptive and inclusive pedagogical practices.
~Friday~
Instructional Communication Business Meeting
10:00–11:15 AM | Waterfront Room
All members and those interested in instructional communication are warmly invited to attend as we reflect on the past year, discuss new business, and plan future initiatives for the division.
Top Papers in Instructional Communication
1:30–2:45 PM | Haselton 2
This competitive session features the highest-rated papers submitted to the division and showcases innovative research on instructor clarity, instructor communication, and public speaking pedagogy.
Emergence: New(er) Perspectives on Stimulating College Student Interest and Engagement When Teaching Communication Courses
3:00–4:15 PM | Haselton 1
Panelists share practical strategies for increasing student interest and engagement through experiential learning, curiosity, relevance, networking, and other high-impact teaching practices.
Emerging Voices: Rethinking Fear, Stigma, and Support in Instructional Communication
4:30–5:45 PM | Stoops Ferry
This panel explores instructional communication in contexts shaped by anxiety, stigma, and structural constraints, with particular attention to supportive communication, belonging, and confidence-building.
~Saturday~
How Do We Manage Our Grief and Student Grief in Our Current Political Climate?
8:30–9:45 AM | Edenburg
This panel examines how instructors can compassionately support students who are navigating grief and emotional strain in today’s political and social climate.
AI Literacy and Workplace Readiness for Communication Educators
10:00–11:15 AM | Haselton 1
This interactive panel focuses on how communication educators can integrate AI literacy into their teaching to prepare students for ethical, creative, and workplace-ready communication.
Stories of GTA Emergence: Early Moments That Shape Teaching Identity
1:00–2:15 PM | Stoops Ferry
Graduate teaching assistants reflect on formative teaching moments that shaped their instructional identities and connect those experiences to concepts such as clarity, immediacy, credibility, and confirmation.
Additional Reminders
- Presenters must bring their own laptop if using presentation technology. Technology is available in all rooms.
- Please remember to register for the convention if you have not already done so.
- Please attend the Welcome Reception, Convention-wide Keynote & Awards (nothing else is programmed during this time!), Pub Trivia, the General Business Meeting, and the President's Reception if you can.
- Book ECA discount room at the Sheraton Station Square - Booking deadline is March 10th and rooms are going quickly!
- ECA 2026 Shirts & Zip Hoodies are available for pre-order at this link. Orders will be available for pickup at convention registration. All proceeds will support our students! Order deadline is March 9th.
- This year's program feature's our first ECA Book Club! The selected book is Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by linguist Amanda Montell. The book Club will meet Friday from 4:30-5:45 PM in Elwood I. Be sure to have read the book to participate.
I hope you will attend these sessions and especially join us for the Instructional Communication Business Meeting. I look forward to seeing many of you in Pittsburgh and sharing a bit of the beauty of the Steel City with you.
Sincerely,
Stephen
