03/12/2026

2026 ECA Convention Voice of Diversity Interest Group Convention Program

Hi, all,

ECA is almost here! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Pittsburgh this April. We have a fantastic lineup of scholarship and several important items to share regarding the future of our community.

Voices of Diversity: Convention Schedule

First, here are the session times and locations for all VOD events:

Thursday, April 9th

• 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | Stoops Ferry
• Top Papers in Voices of Diversity Interest Group (Paper Session)
• 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Haselton 2
• Liminal Voices: Rhetoric at the Threshold of Becoming
• 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Elwood 2
• “There Is No Such Thing as a Single-Issue Struggle...”: Critiquing the Emerging Ideas About Feminism and the Motivations Behind Them

Friday, April 10th

• 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Haselton 1
• Transnational Identities, Queer Resistance, and Kinship Beyond Norms: Exploring Contemporary Issues Through Voices of Diversity
• 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Waterfront Room
•  Voices of Diversity Business Meeting (See details below)

Saturday, April 11th

• 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Elwood 1
• Social Support in the Workplace for People with Disabilities: Managing Stigma Through Constructive Communication (Roundtable Discussion)

Important: Business Meeting & Vote on the Future of VOD

Our Business Meeting will take place on Friday, April 10th, from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM in the Waterfront Room.

The primary agenda item is a formal vote regarding the future of the Voices of Diversity (VOD) Interest Group. For the past five years, VOD, along with the Intercultural and the Interpretation & Performance groups, has been managed by the same small group of dedicated coordinators. However, due to limited attendance and meeting participation, we have seen a stagnation in growth across all three areas.

To address this, a proposal was made at ECA 2025 to disband these three individual groups and integrate them into a singular, more robust Critical/Cultural Communication Interest Group. While the other groups voted on this last year, VOD was unable to due to timing. Therefore, we are moving forward with a vote this year to discontinue VOD and integrate our members into this new, larger Interest Group to ensure our scholarly community remains vibrant and sustainable.

How to Participate:

• In-Person: Join us in the Waterfront Room on Friday.
• Virtual: For those unable to attend in person, you can join via Zoom at this link: Meeting ID: 846 6996 3089
  Passcode: VOD2026 https://rowan.zoom.us/j/84669963089?pwd=HxwAfRpw7U3Pctbj8JfsgnvmtXnnY7.1
  
  
• Feedback: If you cannot attend but wish to weigh in or provide input before the vote, please feel free to email me to share your thoughts.

Important Reminders & Logistics

Thank you again to our reviewers for the time they dedicated to carefully reviewing all submissions. Your expertise makes our programming possible!

• Tech & Presentations: The convention will have full technology; you’re welcome to use the convention-themed slides available here. Please remember to bring your own laptop to plug into the room tech.
• Registration: Make sure you register for the convention if you haven't yet!

I’m looking forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh in April!

Best regards,

Carla R. Richards
richardscr@rowan.edu
2026 ECA Voices of Diversity Interest Group Planner