Media Ecology Association

CALL FOR COMPETITIVE PAPERS AND COMPLETE PANEL PROPOSALS

MEDIA ECOLOGY ASSOCIATION

THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION

 

NCA 110th Annual Convention

November 21-24, 2024

New Orleans, Louisiana

Convention Theme: “Communication for Greater Regard”

Submissions Open: January 9, 2023

Submissions Close: March 27, 2023 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time

 

Program Planner: Austin Hestdalen, Assistant Professor Purdue University Northwest

ahestdal@pnw.edu

 

The Media Ecology Association welcomes submissions for the 2024 National Communication Association convention, centered on the theme of "Communication for Greater Regard."

Regard is a word of Old French origin derived from the Medieval re-garder meaning to take notice of, consider intensely, look after, or esteem. In this sense, the theme of regard invites submissions that call attention to how we can attend to media ecologies that are often taken for granted, overlooked, or lost in our use of media and communication technologies. As such, the theme of regard encourages us to bring background media environments to the foreground of public discussion or, to paraphrase McLuhan and Fiore (1968)[1], attend to the water in which we swim when we communicate.

The theme of communication for greater regard also calls scholars and students of media ecology to delve deeper in understanding who we as a field of inquiry hold in high regard, what questions we regard most important for media ecology to explore, and how we choose to regard them in advancing media ecological inquiry. This call therefore invites submitters to reflect on the ontological, epistemological, and axiological dimensions of media ecology as a conversation that brings public awareness to mediating forms and their effects.

Submissions might also consider how media ecological inquiry is pursued without regard, or what had been dis-regarded by our field, inviting conversations about what issues have been ignored, dismissed, or devalued in discussions of media ecology, the implications of such disregard, and how we might tyr to converse about such topics.

Papers and panels that deal with topics related to the theme are encouraged (though not required). Submissions from scholars of diverse intellectual backgrounds and traditionally underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Proposals that link traditionally distinct thinkers or disciplines to media ecology, extend established ideas or concepts, or otherwise advance existing approaches to the field, are also welcomed.

Please email all questions or concerns related to the Media Ecology Division call for papers to Austin Hestdalen via email (ahestdal@pnw.edu).

 

Submission Method and Deadline

Online submission will be accepted through the NCA Convention Central website beginning January 9, 2023. The absolute deadline for submissions is March 27, 2023 at 11:59pm Pacific.

Types of Submissions
Scholars and students of media ecology are encouraged to submit individual papers, paper sessions, and/or proposals for panel discussion that address the convention theme as it relates to the study of media ecology. (Strict adherence to the NCA convention theme is, again, not a requirement for submission). The MEA program will accept the following three types of submissions: individual papers, paper sessions (common theme paper presentations); and panel discussions (common topic roundtable discussion).

• Individual Papers: All paper submissions should include an uploaded file between 20 and 25 pages (double-spaced) in length, including references and tables, and have (a) a title; (b) a 250–500-word description; and (c) no personal identification of the author in the abstract or throughout the paper upload. Please remove all personal identification before uploading the document online. Individual papers will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (a) a firm grounding in the established literature; (b) sound arguments with well-substantiated ideas; (c) clear expression of ideas; (d) a clear media-ecological orientation; and (e) a contribution to the general understanding of media ecology. If your submission is a student paper, please be sure to indicate this by noting “STUDENT” on the cover page. Likewise, if this is your first presentation in for the Media Ecology division at NCA, please be sure to note “DEBUT” on your paper. Submitters should also indicate their willingness to present as part of a Scholar-to-Scholar (S2S) program session.

• Paper Sessions: Paper sessions comprise a group of authors presenting on a common theme. Paper Session proposals must include (a) a session title and description describing the session’s overall focus; (b) indicate the session chair and respondent; (c) the title of each paper on the session and author information; (d) an abstract of no more than 75 words for each paper; and (e) a rationale of no more than 250 words for the session. Paper sessions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, or presenter) in a submission.

• Panel Discussions: Panel Discussions comprise a group of panelists brought together to discuss a specific topic, author, book, or case. Submitters may use the exact same text for both the abstract and rationale if they do not wish to create a separate rationale (reviewers will use the rationale when evaluating this type of panel). Complete panel discussion proposals in this format will therefore include (a) a panel title describing the panel’s overall focus; (b) a list of all presenters, with their affiliations; (c) an abstract of no more than 250 words; and (d) a rationale of no more than 250 words. Panel discussions should include individuals representing multiple institutions rather than individuals from only one or two institutions. Further, a single person should not serve more than one role (i.e., chair, respondent, author, or presenter) in a submission.

All panel discussion or paper session proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: (a) solid organization and preparation, with clear indication of the focus and rationale of the panel; (b) clear, strong integration/coherence among the topics of the individual papers or presentations; (c) interest to MEA members; (d) a clear media-ecological orientation; and (e) a contribution to the general understanding of media ecology. All submitters are also asked to consider creative collaborations and co-sponsorship with other units. Co-sponsorhip opportunities should be noted in the "special requests" tab.

As a standard practice, paper sessions consisting of competitively refereed and accepted complete papers will receive priority ranking and scheduling privilege. Also, since we have limited panel allocations and hope to engage more of our colleagues in the MEA’s program, we urge all prospective contributors to send in only one submission—one complete paper or participation on only one proposed panel. Please also note that NO identical submissions may be made to more than one unit.

NCA Policy: Audio/Visual Equipment
NCA policy entails providing reasonable A/V support of presentations at its annual convention. However, equipment requests must be kept to a minimum because of their high cost. Submitters must therefore adhere to the following guidelines:

• A/V equipment requests MUST be made at the same time as the paper or panel’s submission, and will be screened by the program planner.
• NCA will normally approve requests for the following equipment: laptop audio, Internet connection and LCD projectors.
• NCA will NOT normally approve requests for equipment such as laptops, transparency projectors, VCR or DVD players, camcorders, satellite links, or teleconference/webinar equipment.

Individuals may, of course, elect to rent equipment for the convention at their own expense.

All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. Helpful resources (including the Professional Standards for Convention Participants), such as live and recorded step-by-step instructions on how to submit, are available in the NCA Convention Library (http://www.natcom.org/conventionresources).