The deadline for panel proposals to be submitted is September 15, 2020.
The International Communication Division (ICD) welcomes panel submissions on all topics related to international communication for the upcoming AEJMC Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 4-7, 2021. Additionally, we also are seeking specific panels formed around the theme “How International Communication Can Help Us Understand Global Disruptions.”
Panel Proposal Types:
- teaching,
- professional,
- freedom and responsibility (PF&R),
- invited research panel proposals.
Please carefully review the following guidelines for each type of proposal and use the provided sample panel proposal to complete your submission.
- Research panels should focus on original, innovative and trending research by a panel of experts on a topic related to international communication.
- Teaching panels should address one of the following FOUR general areas identified by the AEJMC Standing Committee on Teaching Standards:
- Curriculum development including the philosophy, design, and examination of issues, developments, and trends in journalism or global communication.
- Leadership issues, especially the administrative and organizational efforts formulated to address the changes in the field of journalism and mass communication.
- Course content and methods showcasing innovative teaching techniques and strategies.
- Assessment reports highlighting diverse range of activities measuring the effectiveness of journalism education.
- Professional Freedom and Responsibility panels should focus on one or more of the following areas: freedom of expression; ethics; media criticism & accountability; racial, gender and cultural inclusiveness; or public service.
- Professional panels should bring in expert practitioners from the field. These panels can help connect academia and the industry.
In addition to the general call, this year we will consider panels that more specifically focus on the theme “How International Communication Can Help Us Understand Global Disruptions” and discuss topics and questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, mass social justice-related protests, and other recent disruptions with global consequences economically, politically, psychologically, and socially, including but not limited to:
- How do we define internationality in a globalized world during times of disruptions and crises?
- What theoretical and methodological approaches can best be used to innovate the study of global disruptions/crises?
- How might globalization, glocalization, and national identity all contribute differentially to the study of global disruptions?
- How do we conceptualize the role of different actors at different geographic levels and their role in international communication processes in terms of global disruptions?
- What are the responsibilities of journalists, activists, PR managers, and other communicators during global disruptions?
- What can comparative research offer the study of global disruptions?
- How do we teach (and mentally cope with teaching) international communication while living through these disruptions?
- What theories and conceptual approaches can be taught in international communication classes to understand the current disruptions, but also to better anticipate and respond to future disruptions?
- What is the nature of communication in various cultural and social contexts (especially for vulnerable populations) during global disruptions?
- How can we use ICTs, and study their role, during global disruptions?
- How might global disruptions positively or negatively impact freedom of expression, and racial, gender and cultural inclusiveness?
- How should we address the ethical, professional, and public service consequences of global disruptions?
Priority will be given to proposals that are relevant to ICD’s mission. Preference also will be given to proposals with institutional, regional, gender, and methodological diversity. Please note, though, that unlike in years past, you Do Not have to have ALL your speakers confirmed. It is acceptable to leave an open spot or two and instead specify qualifications of someone who could be on the panel (i.e., “scholar from country Y focused on Z”). Please be sure, too, to leave a spot open on your panel proposal for someone from a co-sponsoring division or interest group. Ideally you should also have confirmed co-sponsor(s) for your panel proposal. However, keep in mind that your panel does not need to be perfect or set in stone at this point! Lastly, be sure to adhere to submission guidelines.
All proposals should be one page, single-spaced, and include the following:
- Panel title: Be creative and broad with your title–keep in mind current trending issues and the potential for attracting co-sponsors.
- Panel type: Specify whether the panel is a research, teaching, or PF&R panel.
- Panel Description: Describe clearly in one paragraph the key issues or subject matter to be addressed by the panelists.
- Rationale for the Panel: Describe briefly why the panel’s topic is important. If it fits within this year’s theme (it doesn’t have to!), please specify how.
- Panel Sponsorship: Suggestions for divisions or interest groups that might be interested in co-sponsoring the panel. Please indicate whether you have been in touch with the potential co-sponsoring division, interest group, or commission. Panels including a confirmed co-sponsoring division/interest group/commission have a better chance of being accepted, because they are likely to be of wider interest at the conference and give the division a chance to take part in more sessions. If you do not have a co-sponsor, please list the division (or divisions) you propose as a co-sponsor.
- Possible Panelists [about 3-4]: Names of proposed panelists, affiliation, contact info, demographic data (race, gender, ethnicity), and whether they have committed to participate. AEJMC tracks diversity among panelists, moderators and discussants, so please keep that in mind when planning. Limited funds for travel reimbursement are available for panel participants who are not AEJMC members. The deadline for funding requests is January. Whenever possible, please try to find local panelists (in New Orleans) or AEJMC members whom you expect will be attending the convention anyway
- Panel Moderator: The information for the person moderating the panel (this can be you or someone else).
- Contact Person: The name, affiliation, email, and phone number for the person proposing the panel.
Here is a sample of an accepted panel proposal.
You should submit your proposal to only one division, and we invite you to submit it to ICD. Send your proposal by Sept. 15, 2020, as an attachment to the appropriate ICD point of contact as listed below:
Research panel proposals to:
ICD Vice Head,
Summer Harlow
Teaching panel proposals to:
ICD Teaching Standards Chair,
Ruth Moon
PF&R panel proposals to:
ICD PF&R Committee Chair,
Vanessa de Macedo Higgins Joyce
Proposals sent after the deadline will not be considered. Thank you, and we look forward to your submissions!