07/04/2026

CSCA 2027 ... Argumentation And Forensics Interest Group Call for Papers

ARGUMENTATION AND FORENSICS INTEREST GROUP

Call for Papers and Panels

Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention – Madison, WI

April 7 – 11, 2027

Navigate – Finding Inspiration in Uncharted Terrain

The Argumentation and Forensics Interest Group invite the submission of competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, and innovative programming for the 2027 CSCA convention in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of the Argumentation and Forensics Interest Group is to promote scholarship related to forensics education, the forensics discipline, and the forensics activity, as well as to promote argumentation-based scholarship in a wide variety of fields. A range of topics are welcome, and we especially encourage members to address issues related to the convention theme, Navigate – Finding Inspiration in Uncharted Terrain. Submissions that foreground the voices of marginalized groups and underrepresented scholars are especially welcomed. Regarding panels, preference will be given to those with panelists representing multiple institutions rather than representing a single institution.

Submission Details/Requirements:

Papers: Only completed papers will be accepted.

• Include a title and a brief abstract (required).
• Graduate students should type “STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title
• If the paper will be a graduate student debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page.
• To be considered a graduate student debut paper:
  • the author must be a graduate student,
  • the paper must have single authorship, and
  • the paper must be the author’s first paper to be presented at
• If you would like your paper to be considered for the Inclusive Scholarship Award, type “INCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIP” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page.
  • To be considered as an exemplar of inclusive scholarship, the paper must demonstrate academic rigor in the examination of communication and historically marginalized communities/populations.
  • If your paper should be considered for this, the paper must clearly articulate, in at least one paragraph in the abstract, how the respective scholarship explicitly addresses equity and inclusion.
  • Additionally, make sure to select the Equity and Inclusion Scholarship option in

Panels/Round Tables: 4-7 panelists who provide a brief opening statement concerning a topic and then engage in discussion, often with the entire audience.

• Include a title and a brief abstract (required).
• Panels MUST include a chair to introduce panelists and moderate the discussion.
• Preference will be given to those with panelists representing multiple institutions rather than representing a single institution. 
• Submitters are encouraged to highlight in their proposals what other Interest Groups could co-sponsor the discussion (when applicable). While partnership with any Interest Group is welcome, members are especially encouraged to consider submissions of joint interest to:
  • Interest Groups with adjacent interests and missions (e.g., Activism, Communication Ethics, and Social Justice; Rhetorical Theory and Criticism; Political Communication, etc.).
  • Interests group that are looking to “Navigate” the uncharted connections to/with Argumentation and Forensics.

Other Details:

All technology requests must be made at the time of submission. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM, CDT, October 9, 2026.

Send submissions electronically through our CSCA online submission site.

Interest Group Planner: Dr. Ryan Rigda, Saginaw Valley State University, rsrigda@svsu.edu