CCA 2023 Call for Papers:

Communicating Across Difference

Submissions Deadline: June 2 at 11:59pm

Carolinas Communication Association invites submissions for proposals and papers spanning all methods and aspects of communication studies methods and interests for presentation at the regional CCA Annual Conference, September 29–30, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. While our organization represents scholarship from North Carolina, South Carolina, and around the region, we welcome all submissions.

Conference Theme: Communicating Across Difference

Profound, persistent disparities in access, equity, inclusion, and belonging in U.S. institutions—including education—qualify as a social justice crisis. As communication scholars, educators, and practitioners, we experience and witness educational inequities and can combat through our teaching, research, and service these unequal distributions of power and resources. Furthermore, the prevalence of polarization as well as symbolic and physical violence make the need for engaging with others through communication even more urgent. For this year’s conference theme, we envision communicating across difference taking many forms. The theme seeks to advance a future in education that recognizes the individuality, equality and dignity of all people and their experiences through community building, dialogue, research, and instruction that acknowledges and engages with differences.

This conference confirms that delving into difference can make a difference.

CCA is dedicated to supporting academic research in its many contexts. As such, while we encourage participants to submit work that examines communicating across difference, it is not required. We are an organization that proudly supports all levels of academic work:

• Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit research papers or posters.
• Faculty are invited to submit research papers.
• Faculty are invited to submit research or teaching panels.
• Faculty are invited to submit Great Ideas for Teaching Students (GIFTS).

All Paper submissions must include two Microsoft Word file attachments: (1) a file containing a cover sheet listing the paper title and author name(s), affiliation, email, physical address and phone number for all authors, and (2) an anonymized file including a 50-word abstract and the completed paper not to exceed 25 double-spaced pages excluding references and appendices. Please use “CCA Paper submission” in the subject line.

Undergraduate and graduate Poster submissions must include two Microsoft Word file attachments: (1) a file containing a cover sheet listing the paper title and author name(s), affiliation, email, physical address and phone number for all authors, and (2) a file including a 50-word abstract and a rationalization of the use of a poster. If accepted, poster presenters must use best practices in designing the poster: Important information should be readable from about 10 feet away; title is short and draws interest; word count of about 300 to 800 words; text is clear and to the point; use of bullets, numbering, and headlines make it easy to read, effective use of graphics, color and fonts; consistent and clean layout; includes acknowledgments, your name and institutional affiliation. Please use “CCA Poster submission” in the subject line.

Research or teaching Panel proposals must include one attachment containing the following: (1) a one-page rationale for the proposed panel, (2) a brief (50-word) description for the conference program, and (3) a list of all participants including names, affiliations and contact information (e-mail, physical address and phone number). Please use “CCA Panel proposal” in the subject line.

GIFTS submissions are teaching ideas for any/all courses – Interpersonal, Organizational, Small Group, Media, Gender, etc. – not just Public Speaking. All ideas must be original to the presenter, the submission must not duplicate any other previously published work, including the author’s previously published work, and should have been previously implemented in the classroom. All GIFTS submissions will be considered for Top GIFTS recognition. GIFTS submissions are structured into individual sections as follows: (1) Title; (2) Course/Program: The applicable course(s) for which the GIFTS was conducted; (3) Abstract: 100 words; (4) Rationale: A brief explanation of the reason for the activity, research question, hypothesis, etc.; (5) Directions/Method: A description of the process, procedures, etc.; (6) Results/Debrief: A discussion of the results, findings, benefits, etc.; (7) Appendix (if applicable): FYI handouts, lists, examples, etc.; (8) References (if applicable). Please use “CCA GIFTS submission” in the subject line.

Common practices of professional ethics tell us that, if submitting traditional papers, authors should expect anonymous review and should not submit the same paper that has been submitted and presented at other academic conferences and/or published and/or accepted for publication.  Additionally, if a presenter submits work and that work is accepted for presentation, the presenter has agreed to register for the conference, and attend in-person to present the work. 

Awards are available for the top faculty, top undergraduate and top graduate papers and for the top GIFTS paper. To submit a paper or proposal, please submit work to Dr. Jenni Simon at jmsimon@uncg.edu. All questions can also be addressed to Dr. Simon.