ORWAC Call for Papers

By Diane Blair, ORWAC President –

The Organization for Research on Women and Communication invites submissions for program proposals and competitive papers for the Western States Communication Association conference to be held in Albuquerque, NM (February 17-21, 2012).  ORWAC seeks submissions that speak to both its emphasis on research regarding women and intersectionality, gender, feminism, and the convention theme of “striving for social change.”  Of particular interest are papers and programs that address the challenges and possibilities for social justice and social transformation, especially for disenfranchised and under-served communities, as well contemporary issues such as citizenship, globalization, and new media technologies as they relate to women, gender, and feminist activism.

Paper submission guidelines:

ORWAC does not accept works in progress nor should papers have been previously presented or published, or be accepted for presentation or publication.  Authors who have not previously presented a paper at a conference or published in a journal should mark their papers as “Debut” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page as well as indicate their status (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral student).  All student submissions should be marked as “Student” for consideration of the “Top Student Paper” award.

Paper submissions should adhere to the following:

1. A title page that includes the paper’s title, names of all authors, affiliation(s), email address(es), phone number(s) as well an abstract of 250-500 words;
2. A paper not to exceed 30 pages, including references;
3. No information identifying the author(s) should appear beyond  that which appears on the title page; and
4. Save each document—title page and paper—as a separate pdf file.

Program Panel submission guidelines:

1. Thematic title of the program;
2. Description and rationale of program;
3. Title and brief description of each presentation or questions to be pursued by panelists;
4. Names, affiliations, email addresses and phone numbers of all participants.  Alternative formats are encouraged as are innovative program proposals that provide opportunities for engaged interaction among participants and attendees; and
5. Save as a pdf file.

To all submitters, please stipulate any requests for equipment. For additional details about the WSCA convention, please consult www.westcomm.org.

Finally, all submissions must be received by Diane M. Blair, Ph.D., President of ORWAC no later than September 1, 2011 in order to be considered.  Forward documents electronically to: dblair@csufresno.edu (office phone 559-278-8578).