07/04/2026

CSCA 2027 ... Health Communication Interest Group Call for Papers

Health Communication Interest Group
Call for Papers and Panels

Navigate (Finding Inspiration in Uncharted Terrain)

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

Madison, WI

April 7-11, 2027

The Health Communication Interest Group invites submissions of competitive papers and panels to be considered for programming at the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) convention, April 7-11, in Madison, Wisconsin. Our interest group focuses on helping researchers, practitioners, and the general public better grasp, appreciate, use, and articulate health communication research, practice, and teaching. Health communication scholars also monitor and evaluate the efficacy of community-based, communication-driven, and health-related applications. The interest group is dedicated to engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration to develop curricular innovations centering on health communication. Thus, scholarship, community outreach, and pedagogy comprise our mission.

We welcome submissions on all topics which advance our mission, especially those that address the conference theme, Navigate. Navigating health communication research might involve exploring uncertainty in health environments, identifying borders or systems that block health access and navigation, thinking through health-related issues that arise when working or moving across boundaries, and celebrating successful practices that help people navigate health experiences effectively. We encourage submissions from students and enthusiastically invite panel submissions that include panelists from multiple institutions. The Health Communication Interest Group offers three awards: top paper, top student paper, and top panel.

Submission Guidelines

General Guidelines (for all submissions):

• By submitting to this interest group, you agree to attend the conference in Madison if your submission is accepted.
• All papers and panel proposals must be submitted electronically using Microsoft Word. Documents sent using any other format will not be accepted.
• All technology requests must be made at the time of submission.
• Deadline for submissions:October 9, 2026, 11:59 PM CDT

Competitive Papers:

• A Competitive Paper must be submitted electronically using the CSCA online submission system.
• Papers must include a title page and brief abstract (150 words or less). Author names and any identifying information must be removed from papers prior to submission.
  • Graduate and undergraduate students should type “STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page. If the paper will be a student debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page. To be considered a debut student paper, (1) the author must be a graduate student, (2) the paper must have single authorship, and (3) the paper must be the author’s first paper to be presented at CSCA.
  • 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. Please clearly articulate, in at least one paragraph in your abstract, how the respective scholarship explicitly addresses equity and inclusion. Additionally, make sure to select the Inclusive Scholarship option when submitting.
• Papers may not exceed 25 pages, excluding title, abstract, references, and appendices. Papers exceeding the maximum page limit will not be considered for review.
• Individuals may submit no more than one lead-authored paper.
• Only completed papers conforming to current APA standards will be accepted.
• If accepted, at least one paper author must register and attend the convention to present to present your paper.

Research in Progress:

• Research in Progress provides an opportunity for graduate students with works-in-progress to discuss and get feedback from experienced scholars to make the paper ready for submission to a journal.
• Submissions must be labeled with RESEARCH IN PROGRESS before the title of your submission.
• Research in Progress submissions must be submitted electronically using the CSCA online submission system.
• Submit an extended abstract (750-1000 words, not including references).
• If accepted, participants are expected to send the FULL PAPER to their mentors no later than six weeks before the convention.
• Accepted presenters must register and attend the convention. Accepted presenters will participate in small-group discussions with their mentors and other authors.

Discussion and Paper Panels:

• Discussion and paper panels must be submitted electronically using the CSCA online submission system.
• Panel submissions must include the following: (a) title, (b) description (75 words or less), (c) rationale (75 words or less), and (d) a complete list of participants along with their institutional affiliations, contact information, and CSCA membership status. Panels should also include titles and brief abstracts (150 words or less) for each paper or explanation of each participant’s purpose/perspective.
• If accepted, all panelists and the panel chair must register and attend the convention.

Questions about the Health Communication Interest Group, please contact the Chair: Dr. Michelle Matter (matterm@crown.edu)

Questions about the general call or the 2026 conference, please contact the Primary Program Planner: Dr. Stevie Munz (smunz@uvu.edu)