07/31/2025

2026 ECA Convention Rhetoric & Public Address Interest Group Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions
Rhetoric & Public Address Interest Group
The 117th Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association
Emergence
Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA

April 9 – 12, 2026

Submission Deadline: October 19, 2025, 11:59 pm PST

The Rhetoric & Public Address Interest Group invites submissions in preparation of the annual ECA Convention to be held from April 9th to April 12th, 2026. We are seeking proposals (representing an individual paper, panel, roundtable discussion, workshop session, or work in progress) for the 117th convention to be held at the Sheraton Station Square located in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. The deadline for submissions is October 19, 2025. The convention theme, “Emergence,” is uniquely suited to reflect many different aspects of the rhetorical tradition, both historically and contemporary. I hope the convention theme will stimulate not only the examination of emergent rhetorics such as repatriation, pronatalist, or nativism, but also allow a critical observation of rhetorical silences, erasures, and denials that can ultimately affect a sociocultural understanding of various texts and contexts.

Focusing on “Emergence,” I encourage you to reflect on any variations of the following questions:

• How do new and predominant discourses (mediated, technological, cultural, etc.) determine textual knowledge?
• In what ways do emergent AI platforms transform texts and contexts dealing with contemporary issues?
• To what extent does the emergence of social media narratives influence our understanding of individuals and events? 
• Can the study of rhetoric and public address become more engaged and relevant in these profoundly challenging times in U.S. history? 
• What kind of constructive solutions can emerge out of our interest group’s specific strengths in public, democratic deliberation, and commitments to social justice? 
• What does not emerge in rhetorical studies dealing with public problems?
• How does the concentration of power (economic, religious, political, etc.) impede the emergence of new discourses fighting cultural silences, erasures, and dislocations? 
• Why are new ideas, theories, or transformative works not emerging within popular culture? 

Note: This year, we are seeking submissions in the following categories: competitive papers and works in progress, panel proposals, and roundtable discussions (workshop sessions and works in progress). Please follow the instructions below for each type of submission: 

Competitive Papers and Works in Progress

• Completed Papers: Submissions of completed papers should be no more than 20 pages, excluding title page, abstract, references, and appendices. Completed papers should be written in accordance with standards set by the Chicago Manual of Style, the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Modern Language Association (MLA). All submissions of completed papers should be uploaded to Attendee Interactive. 
• Works in Progress: For a third year in a row, the Rhetoric and Public Address Interest Group is accepting submissions for a special “works in progress” panel. Submitters who are in the process of completing a rhetorical research project but do not yet have a completed paper are encouraged to submit their work as a “work in progress.” The extended abstract (2,500 to 5,000 characters) should explain the details of the project, including a thesis or main argument, methodology for the study, and any initial findings. References are not included in the word count. Submit works in progress as an individual paper in Attendee Interactive. Be sure to include the phrase “Work in Progress” above the title and extended abstract. If “Work in Progress” is not listed on the submission, it will be reviewed as a competitive paper and not as a work in progress. Works in Progress should be written in accordance with standards set by the Chicago Manual of Style, the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Modern Language Association (MLA).

When submitting a paper, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields: 

• Title  
• Author/s  
• Abstract  
• Categories: Indicate if student and/or debut paper.
• Additional Information:
  • Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling. 
• Documents: Upload Main Document (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.) 
  • At the bottom of the cover page, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached paper, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this paper if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.

When submitting a panel, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields:

• Title  
• Chair/Respondents  
• Abstracts: Add individual presentation titles, descriptions, and presenters
• Panel Description  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
  • In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
• Additional Information:
  • Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.

When submitting a round table/workshop, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields:

• Title  
• Participants: Enter Chair and Featured Expert/s information  
• Round Table Description (100 words or less)  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
  • In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
• Additional Information:
  • Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling. 
  • Target Audience: Describe the intended audience, including who would most benefit from attending.

Technology A/V Availability
The 2026 Convention will be fully equipped with technology capabilities. A projector, screen, sound, wireless mouse and slide advancer, and Wi-Fi will be available in all breakout rooms. Presenters must supply their own laptop. Google Slides and PowerPoint templates featuring the convention theme and logo are available on the convention tab of the website. We encourage all attendees to take full advantage of these resources to create engaging presentations! 

All submissions must be uploaded through Attendee Interactive, accessed through the ECA website at https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2601/. Training material is available online for using this site. 

Please contact the Rhetoric & Public Address Interest Group Program Planner via e-mail for further information: Dr. Guillermo G. Caliendo, Carnegie Mellon University, gcaliend@andrew.cmu.edu.

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January, 2026