07/04/2026

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

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION INTEREST GROUP
Call for Papers and Panels

Central States Communication Association (CSCA) Annual Convention

Madison, WI
April 7^th - 11^th, 2027

Navigate – Finding Inspiration in Uncharted Terrain 

The Intercultural Communication Interest Group invites submissions of competitive papers, panels, roundtable discussions, and innovative programming for the 2027 CSCA convention in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of the Intercultural Communication Interest Group is to promote the scholarship and practice of communication between, among, and within cultural groups. We welcome submissions from graduate students, faculty, and professionals on a wide range of topics such as cultural diversity, peacebuilding, and social justice.  We especially encourage members to address issues related to the convention theme, Navigate. Topic ideas discussed at the 2026 ICIG business meeting include (but you are not limited to): 

1. Navigating tenure and promotion for intercultural scholars in precarious times
2. Peacebuilding, storytelling, and representation in diverse communities
3. Cultural pretenders and cultural appropriation
4. Navigating the consequences of anti-diversity policies within institutions
5. Bullying in the academy: Students, junior faculty, and administrators
6. Ethics and values in the academy: Examining what we have enabled and its impact on people
7. International students navigating higher education and the immigration system
8. Podcasts as sites of cultural education and resistance
9. Navigating the culture of sports and politics
10. Persuading across difference: Sustaining dialogue with those who talk past one another

We welcome a variety of research, including qualitative, critical, and quantitative approaches, as well as papers that apply, extend or develop theoretical approaches. Regarding panels, preference will be given to those with panelists representing multiple institutions rather than representing a single institution.

Awards

ICIG presents two awards: a Top Paper award and a Top Student Paper award, both of which come with a $50 reward and will be recognized during the ICIG Business Meeting.

Submission Guidelines for Individual papers

Only completed papers will be considered. Papers must include a title and a brief abstract (100 words or fewer). Papers should not exceed 25 pages (title pages, references, tables, appendixes are not counted within the 25-page limit). Please remove any identifying information such as the authors’ names and university affiliations prior to submission.

Special Notes: We strongly encourage graduate student papers.

If a paper was written by a graduate student, the word “STUDENT” should be typed in the upper right-hand corner of the title page.

If the paper is a single authored graduate student debut, please type “DEBUT STUDENT” in 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.

Inclusive Scholarship

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 your paper.

Paper Panels

Paper sessions must include a panel title, a panel description and rationale (250 words or fewer), an abstract for each paper (100 words or fewer), a session chair, the name of each presenter, and their position and affiliation information. 

Discussion Panels

Discussion panels must include a panel rationale (300 words or fewer), a session chair, between four and seven panelists, and a brief abstract which will appear in the conference program (75 words or fewer). Audience interaction is encouraged.

Creative/Interactive/Workshop Sessions

ICIG welcomes innovative and coalition-building programs of various forms. Examples of submissions for these sessions include mentoring/networking sessions, extended abstract/research-in-progress workshops, pedagogy/syllabi workshops, visual artwork displays, film/documentary exhibitions, performances/spoken word, and culture tours of Madison. We especially encourage collaborations between professors and students that emphasize interactive workshop sessions dedicated to feedback for and development of research-in-progress/extended abstracts. Submissions must include the goals, rationale, specific activity plans, and the names of individuals responsible for the session. In your activity plans, please provide specifics such as equipment requests, size of the space needed, transportation plans, and number of slots needed.

Submission Deadline & Information

Submissions must be made via our CSCA online submission system site. A link will be available on the CSCA website (https://www.csca-net.org/aws/CSCA/pt/sp/callforpapers). All technology requests must be made at the time of submission. Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm CDT, October 9, 2026. Please be sure that all potential presenters create a profile on the CSCA online submission system site. CSCA membership is not required to create a profile. Any questions can be directed to ICIG program planner, Diana Trebing at dtrebing@svsu.edu. For questions about the general call or the 2027 conference, contact Stevie Munz, 2027 primary program planner Smunz@uvu.edu.