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Thom Gencarelli, thom.gencarelli@manhattan.edu
Institute of General Semantics (Affiliate Organization) 116th Eastern Communication Association Convention “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions”
Hyatt Regency, Buffalo, NY
March 26-March 30, 2025
Submission Deadline: October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST
The Eastern Communication Association will hold its 116th Annual Convention in Buffalo, New York from Wednesday, March 26 through Sunday, March 30, 2025. The convention theme is “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions.” The deadline for submissions is October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST.
As an Affiliate Organization of the ECA, the Institute of General Semantics seeks individual papers and panel/roundtable submissions that focus on the study of the intersection of language, thought, and behavior. While we encourage any and all submissions related to general semantics, we especially welcome submissions that speak to the convention theme: “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions.”
In describing the convention theme, the ECA writes: “In our ever-changing world, contemporary problems and issues need to be addressed with creative solutions. Communication Studies scholars and practitioners are well-positioned to offer theoretical and practical insights to address contemporary problems.” Those of us who study and work within the realm of general semantics are interested in solutions that arise from the nature of language as our species’ primary medium of human communication, how we use language to create what we understand as meaning, and how we can become better meaning-makers through our understanding of the relationships among language, meaning, thought, mind, symbols, media, technology, context, culture, etc.
Some guiding questions for papers, panels, and roundtables may include, but are not limited to: How might the study of general semantics improve our understanding of contemporary problems? How might the study of general semantics lead to creative solutions to contemporary problems?
How might we look to language, and to our misuse of it, as a means to understand our problems and come up with creative solutions for them?
What problems might general semantics help identify that other traditions in communication studies might miss?
As a further prompt, papers and panels may specifically address general semantics with respect to: (1) our various symbolic environments, emergent or persisting metaphors, and/or current or historical studies of human symbolic use that advance our understanding of symbols, behavior, and culture; and (2) cases or observations of language use and misuse in politics, commerce, relationships, self-talk, etc. that contribute to an understanding of the relationship between language, thought, and behavior.
ECA uses Attendee Interactive to manage submissions and reviews. If you have not used this system before, you will be prompted to create a new User ID and Password to submit your work.
The Institute of General Semantics invites three types of submissions. The specific requirements for each are as follows. (Please also indicate any audio-visual needs, if necessary, as part of your submission. Requests can include Internet access, laptop audio, and LCD projectors.)
Please note that you may request special scheduling due to special circumstances and needs (cultural or religious, etc.) when submitting papers and panel proposals. Such requests will be forwarded to the Convention planner.
Submission of Completed Papers: Individual submissions of completed papers through Attendee Interactive will provide the following:
- Title
- Author/s (If the paper has multiple authors, please indicate who will be presenting at the convention.)
- Abstract (5,000 character max) Please also indicate if your paper is a “Debut Paper” (written by an author or authors who have not presented previously at a regional or national convention) or a “Student Paper.”
Upload of your Completed Paper:
- Paper must have no identifying author, school, faculty, or contact information
- Abstract (one page max, with “The Statement of Professional Responsibility” – see below – included on this page).
- The word “Debut” marked on a paper written by authors who have not previously presented at a regional or national convention.
- The word “Student” marked on a paper written by a student.
- Required file format: MSWord or .pdf
- Consistent formatting: APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago style
- Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
- Requests for audio-visual equipment
- Special requests
Submission of Panel Proposals: Submission of panel proposals should include the following elements submitted through Attendee Interactive:
- A thematic title for the program.
- Names of the Chair and Respondent (if any). (Chairs should not be additionally designated as Respondents.)
- Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations for all participants.
- Titles and abstracts for each paper or presentation.
- A program copy (no more than 75-words) as it should appear in the final program.
- A detailed rationale for the panel (10,000 characters max).
- Requests for audio-visual equipment
- Special requests
- A “Statement of Professional Responsibility.”
Submission of Roundtable Proposals: Submission of roundtable proposals should include the following elements submitted through Attendee Interactive:
- A thematic title for the program.
- Name of the Chair.
- Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations for all participants.
- A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final program.
- A detailed rationale for roundtable (10,000 characters max)
- Target audience (10,000 characters max)
- Requests for audio-visual equipment
- Special requests
- A “Statement of Professional Responsibility”
The following is the “Statement of Professional Responsibility,” which MUST be included in order for submissions to be eligible for review:
In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel or paper if it is accepted or programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
Convention acceptance notifications: January 2025.
For additional information about the upcoming convention, please visit the ECA website.
For additional information about the Institute of General Semantics, please visit the IGS website:
All questions or concerns related to submissions, and to the Institute of General Semantics as an Affiliate Organization of the ECA, can be directed to the program coordinator:
Thom Gencarelli
Communication, Sound, and Media Arts Department Manhattan University Riverdale, NY 10471 thom.gencarelli@manhattan.edu
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