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07/30/2025

2026 ECA Convention Institute of General Semantics (Affiliate Organization) Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions 
Institute of General Semantics (Affiliate Organization)
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 Eastern Communication Association will hold its 117th Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12, 2026. The convention theme is “Emergence.” The deadline for submissions is October 19, 2025, 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 of “Emergence.”

In describing the convention theme, the Convention Planner writes that the “theme invites reflection on the emergence of new perspectives, enlightenment, or awakening; the rise of cultural or societal trends, movements, or norms; and the emergence of creative ideas, movements, or transformative works.” Those of us who study and work within the realm of general semantics are interested in emergences 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 might become better meaning-makers through our understanding of the relationships among language, meaning, thought, mind, symbols, media, technology, context, and culture.

Some guiding questions for papers, panels, and/or roundtables include, but are not limited to: How can/will/must general semantics emerge within the context of the current political landscape? What ideas, transformative works, and best practices in general semantics are emerging in teaching, learning, practicing, researching, and theorizing? How should we respond? 

How can we best support our students as they emerge from their study of general semantics? In what ways is our collective emergence nurtured, encouraged, or strengthened? How can this be celebrated? Alternatively, in what ways is our emergence impeded, stifled, or silenced? How should we respond? How can we encourage our own emergence within ourselves? What is not emerging that ought to, and what should we do about it?

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.

The Institute of General Semantics invites three types of submissions. The specific requirements for each are as follows. 

 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.

Note: Use consistent formatting: APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago style

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.  

Note: Chairs should not be additionally designated as Respondents.

When submitting a round table, 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 https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2601/. For additional information about the upcoming convention, please visit the ECA website: http://www.ecasite.org/.  For additional information about the Institute of General Semantics, please visit the IGS website: https://www.generalsemantics.org

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

Convention acceptance notifications: January 2026