Complete Story
04/07/2026
CSCA 2026 - SOGI Business Meeting & Call for Participants
Greetings SOGI members,
In about a week, we will gather in Minneapolis for the CSCA Conference. And while there is no shortage of oppressive legal decisions and political policies to deter us from doing the work, I am grateful that we can still organize, conduct research, teach our students, and celebrate our identities together.
I encourage you to attend our Business Meeting to learn more about getting involved with SOGI: Friday the 17th, at 9:30 am in Greenway F. We will also honor our award winners then, followed by our top papers presentation panel at 11 am in the same room.
Speaking of top papers, Justin Tackett, last year’s SOGI top student paper recipient, is seeking participants for his thesis project. Please read the project description below, as well as the flyer.
Call for Participants:
This research is being conducted to fulfill the thesis requirements for the MA degree in Communication Studies by Co-PI Justin Tackett. The purpose of this research study is to explore how partners in different-orientation relationships (where two romantic partners have different sexual orientations) experience and navigate those identities, and the communication strategies they use to bridge potential conflicts between them. Participants must be 18 years of age or older, currently a university student (at any level), and in a relationship with someone who has a differing sexual orientation from their own. Interviews will take approximately 45-60 minutes. The Marshall University Institutional Review Board has approved this study.
There are limited risks associated with participation in this study, but they do not extend beyond potential emotional discomfort that may stem from everyday experiences. You may benefit from the self-reflection that occurs while communicating about yourself and your relationship. There is no cost or payment to you. This interview will be audio- and video-recorded, and the recordings will be deleted upon completion of this study.
If you have questions about this research, you may call the Principal Investigator, Dr. Richard Jones, at 304-696-3078 or jonesri@marshall.edu. If you feel you are not treated well during this study, or have questions concerning your rights as a research participant, call the Marshall University Office of Research Integrity (ORI) at (304) 696-4303.
Your participation in this research is voluntary, and you will not be penalized or lose benefits if you refuse to participate or decide to stop.
If you would like to participate, please reach out to Justin Tackett at tackett168@marshall.edu.
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Sincerely,
Danielle Stern
2026 SOGI Chair and Program Planner
