POLITICAL COMMUNICATION INTEREST GROUP
Call for Papers and Panels
Central States Communication Association (CSCA)
Annual Convention-Minneapolis, MN
April 14-19, 2026
TRANSLATE!
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM, CDT, October 10, 2025.
The Political Communication Interest Group invites the submission of competitive papers, extended abstracts, and thematic panel proposals to be considered for presentation at the 2026 CSCA convention to be held in Minneapolis, MN.
Submissions to the Political Communication Interest Group should explore theoretical issues, critical issues, or issues of practice related to the study of politics and communication. The scope of the Political Communication Interest Group is broad, as the study of politics and communication may encompass the communicative activity of individuals, political figures, governmental institutions, media, political campaigns, advocacy groups, business and corporate interests, and social movements. This interest group recognizes and encourages research that addresses political communication topics in all contexts and levels of analysis, employing a variety of methodologies.
Papers and proposals that highlight and explore the theme of this convention – TRANSLATE! – are especially encouraged. By TRANSLATE, we are interested in papers that address how political communication can make a difference in the world, and work that is interdisciplinary. In other words, work that pulls from multiple subareas in communication to provide solutions to real-world issues or to give voice to communities that often go unheard. Specifically, we are looking for scholarly work that improves the lives of everyday people and that can be applied to the real-world. Some examples would include scholarly work that discusses how families with differing political views can constructively communicate with one another or how political campaigns can create messages that appeal to apathetic voters.
This interest group encourages scholarship that advances diversity within the discipline. Scholars addressing issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity in politics are encouraged to consider the Political Communication Interest Group as a home for their research. Our interest group will work to ensure that submissions are reviewed by a diverse group of scholars who will reflect our commitment to create a stronger and more diverse interest group.
Guidelines for Submission:
Papers: Submissions may include full papers or extended abstracts (1000-2000 words). Remove all author references in the text of the paper. 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 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. All full-length papers should contain a 50- to 75-word abstract.
Awards: All top papers will be recognized during our business meeting. Awards will be given to the top overall paper and the J. Jeffrey Auer Award for the top competitive graduate student paper, which also includes a monetary award. Only full papers will be considered for these awards. If you would like a full-length paper to be considered for the Inclusive Scholarship Award, type “INCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIP” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. 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 Inclusive Scholarship option when you are submitting.
Panels: Proposals that explore connections with other interest groups are encouraged. Panels with institutional diversity are highly encouraged and preferred. Panels featuring undergraduate student research are also encouraged. If you would like to propose a different format for your panel, please describe the format briefly in the panel description.
We seek interactive, innovative, and inclusive panel formats to further develop / diversify our program and provide opportunities for meaningful discussion at the convention. Some examples of different formats include:
Send CSCA 2026 submissions electronically through the CSCA online submission system site. Proposals must be submitted through the online submission system by 11:59 PM, CDT, October 10, 2025.
All technology requests must be made at the time of submission. Projectors and screens are available; computers are not. Please only request tech if it is essential.
Submitters / potential presenters are encouraged to create a profile on the CSCA online submission system site. CSCA membership is not required to create a profile. Your profile will make later steps in the process much easier.
Questions about submissions to the Political Communication Interest Group can be sent to the Political Communication Interest Group Chair and Program Planner Dr. Xavier Scruggs, Department of Communication at Wake Forest University
Contact Email: scruggx@wfu.edu