06/26/2025

CSCA 2026 Convention - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group Call for Submissions

Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group

Call for Papers and Panels

Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual
Convention-Minneapolis, MN
April 14-19, 2026

Translate!

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group invites the submission of competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, and innovative programming for the 2026 CSCA convention in Minneapolis, MN. The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group is dedicated to preserving and promoting scholarship and teaching in rhetorical theory and rhetorical criticism. This year’s theme—Translate!—encourages us to consider how we can communicate what we know to people outside of the academy walls and to explore how our research and teaching can make a meaningful difference outside of the academy. To that end, we welcome submissions that take seriously rhetorical scholarship’s concern with the “public” and engage not only with public communication as an object of study but also with making that study accessible and meaningful to that public.

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group is dedicated to promoting scholarship that foregrounds diverse perspectives along the lines of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and nationality. In line with CSCA’s Anti-Discrimination policy, submissions are expected to avoid adopting discriminatory rhetoric related to these aspects.

Interest Group Awards

The Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group offers two awards at each convention: the top paper award and the top student paper award. The recipients of these awards will be recognized at the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group business meeting.

Submission Guidelines

Individual Papers: Only completed papers of no more than 35 pages 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 page.
• If the paper will be a graduate student's debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” on 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 CSCA.
• To be considered for the Inclusive Scholarship Award, 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 submitting.

Paper Session: These consist of a group of presenters with (3-5) paper presentations centered on a common theme. Submissions should include an overall session title, session description (75 words), and a rationale statement (250 words or less) as well as author name(s), affiliation, paper title, and abstract for each paper.

Panels: Panels should consist of a group of panelists discussing a specific topic. Audience discussion and participation are strongly encouraged. Following the guidelines from the CSCA website, panel discussions should include an overall panel title, a rationale statement, and a panel description for the online convention program. Submitted panels should include a chair and each presenter’s name, affiliation, and brief description of the specific contribution or perspective of each presenter.

Preference will be given to those paper sessions and panels proposals featuring panelists from multiple institutions rather than a single institution.

Submission Deadline & Instructions:

Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm CDT, October 10, 2025, and any technology requests must also be made at the time of submission.

Please send submissions through our CSCA online submission site. A link will be available on the CSCA website (https://www.csca-net.org/aws/CSCA/pt/sp/callforpapers).

Please create a profile for all potential presenters on the CSCA online submission site during the submission process. Membership is not required to create a profile. For any questions regarding the Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Interest Group, or to volunteer to be a reviewer, please contact Alexandra Parr Balaram at parral@uwm.edu.