06/26/2025

CSCA 2026 Convention - Communication Theory Interest Group Interest Group Call for Submissions

2026 CSCA Convention

COMMUNICATION THEORY INTEREST GROUP (CTIG) 
Call for Papers and Panels

Translate!

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 14th – 19th, 2026

CSCA’s Communication Theory Interest Group (CTIG) invites submissions of competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, and other innovative programming for the 2026 convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CTIG understands communication theory in a broadened sense. If your paper involves communication theories, it is eligible for acceptance. Therefore, our interest group welcomes a range of topics and contexts. CTIG focuses on the development, comparison, extension, criticism, teaching, learning, empirical support for theory, and application of theory in communication research. We welcome a variety of formats including competitive papers, panels, and extended abstracts.

We especially encourage members to address issues related to the convention theme of "Translate.” We welcome submissions that explore how communication translates across contexts, cultures, modalities, and communities. We invite proposals that foster connections across interest groups and encourage collaboration among scholars and practitioners. Our annual conference offers an opportunity to translate our work across boundaries and amplify diverse voices and perspectives. In terms of panels, preference will be given to those featuring presenters from multiple institutions. Graduate and undergraduate student submissions are strongly encouraged. For more details, please refer to the official call for papers: https://www.csca-net.org/aws/CSCA/pt/sp/callforpapers

The CTIG presents two awards with cash prizes: 1) Em Griffin Top Paper Award and 2) Top Student Paper Award. Awardees will be recognized during the CTIG Business Meeting.

Guidelines for Submission

Papers: Only complete papers will be accepted. Papers must conform to the most current APA standards and include a title and brief abstract. Graduate students should type “STUDENT” on the upper right-hand corner of the title page. Student authored papers do not include those co-authored with faculty members. 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 student debut 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. Indicate if author(s) are CSCA members. Author names and any identifying information must be removed prior to submission. 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 you would like to be considered for this award, 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 in submitting.

Extended Abstracts:  CTIG will also review extended abstracts. The purpose of these submissions is to receive early feedback, while working on a paper in progress. This will be especially helpful for papers using theoretical frameworks. Accepted abstracts will receive feedback from established scholars in the field. Submissions should be 500-750 words max (not including references). Submissions should follow current APA edition standards and include cover page, abstract, and references. We especially encourage graduate and undergraduate students, early career scholars, and those interested in learning more about the journal publishing process to submit.

Panels: Discussion and paper 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 (address, e-mail, and phone number), and if they are CSCA members.

Paper Panels: Paper panels should include titles and brief abstracts (100 words or less) for each paper. We are encouraging interactive panels that foster dialogue between presenters and audience.

Deadline: All submissions should be made through CSCA’s online submission system and must be received by October 10, 2025, 11:59 pm CDT

Requests for technology/media for the presentation must be made at the time of submission.

If you have any questions, please contact: Austin Beattie

Austin J. Beattie, Ph.D.
CTIG Chair and Program Planner
Hope College
beattie@hope.edu