Call for Submissions

Abstract Submission Deadline: February 10, 2012

Paper Submission Deadline: March 16, 2012

Student Abstract Submission Deadline: February 10, 2012

Student Paper Submission Deadline: March 16, 2012

Conference Dates: April 20-21, 2012

Next-Gen Communication Centers

The National Association of Communication Centers (NACC) invites academic research and creative submissions at its 11th annual conference, April 20-21, 2012, hosted by the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity at Eastern Kentucky University.

"Next-Gen Communication Centers," the theme of the spring 2012 gathering, invites consideration of the future of communication centers. As the second decade begins, how will communication centers evolve and new centers emerge? What activities will communication centers perform? What roles will they serve? This call invites participants to recall the past and envision the future of communication centers and their role within the university. Creativity and critical thinking, collaboration, new media and multimedia, research and information fluency, invention and communication design, and ongoing challenges facing communication centers will serve as the central themes participants are encouraged to address. Opportunities for exploring these and other issues related to communication centers are welcomed.

The Program Committee Invites Proposals in the Following Formats:

Paper


An oral presentation of an original research paper that investigates a problem from an empirical or theoretical perspective. We welcome topics addressing next-gen creative and critical thinking, training, new media and multimedia, collaboration, assessment, and challenges in communication centers.

Panel


A discussion led by up to five participants on specific themes or issues relevant to the section's mission. Panel proposals should include a description of how attendees will be invited to participate.

Workshop Sessions


An opportunity to provide training to communication center personnel in various communication center settings. Workshops that offer modeling and creative strategies are especially encouraged.

G.I.F.T.S. Sessions


Great Ideas for Teachers, a forum to allow the continued education of integrating the communication center into a rigorous curriculum.

Poster


A visual presentation on a poster illustrating research from an empirical or theoretical perspective.

Installation


A static or moving electronic display in the Noel Studio's Greenhouse and breakout spaces. Installations could take the form of interactive presentations, a communication center in a virtual world, or a digital poster.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)


An opportunity for scholars with common interests and questions to exchange ideas with each other for the purpose of building scholarly networks. These informal sessions provide opportunities for conversation in a supportive forum intended to generate questions, ideas, and connections. SIGs can focus on any area of communication center administration, theory, or design. Email SIG ideas to Russell Carpenter at russell.carpenter@eku.edu. Ideas and questions welcome.

Submission Instructions - abstracts due by February 10, 2012

Papers


Submit abstract of 250 words. The completed paper must be submitted by March 16, 2012.

Posters and Installations


Submit abstract of 250 words detailing the research area covered.

Panels, Special Interest Groups, Workshops, or G.I.F.T.S. sessions

  • Propose a title of the session.
  • Write a 100-150 word abstract.
  • Prepare a proposed agenda for the session, including efforts to involve participants.
  • Provide a list of panelists with a brief statement of what each panelist will cover.

Awards and Criteria

Joyce Ferguson Faculty Paper Award


In order to be eligible, the faculty submission should be an original research paper that investigates a topic from an empirical or theoretical perspective and meets the criteria of the call for conference submissions. The paper should focus on challenging a theory, the development of a new theory or the modification of a current theory. An abstract is sufficient on or before January 6, 2012 of the conference year.

Submission Guidelines: The complete paper must be emailed as a Word attachment to the conference chair by the date announced in the call for papers. The subject line should read: "NACC Faculty Paper Competition." To ensure a blind review process, the document (body of paper and abstract) cannot include the author's name or affiliation. Information that in any way identifies the presenter or her/his affiliation may disqualify the proposal from consideration. A separate cover page should include the following: name, university/college, address, phone number, and email address.

Additional Guidelines:
1. Faculty are allowed to submit one paper per conference to the faculty paper competition.
2. The paper may be single or co-authored original work of the individual(s) submitting the paper. Faculty may submit papers co-authored with undergraduate or graduate students. Please note that papers submitted for the Ferguson Award must be related to communication centers.
3. If your abstract is accepted as a conference submission, you are expected to present your paper, regardless of whether or not you win the award.
4. Presenters are required to register for the mini-conference.

Huddy-Gunn Competitive Graduate Paper Award

This graduate student honor was first awarded in 2007 by the National Association of Communication Centers. The association seeks to honor one top graduate theory paper focusing on the work of speaking centers or labs. Papers in this competition focus on challenging a theory, the development of a new theory, or the modification of a current theory.

Submission Guidelines: The complete paper must be e-mailed as a Word attachment to the Communication Center Section/NACC Student Coordinator by the date announced in the call for papers. The subject line should read: "NACC Graduate Paper Competition." To ensure a blind review process, the document (body of paper and abstract) cannot include the author's name or affiliation. Information that in any way identifies the presenter or her/his affiliation may disqualify the proposal from consideration. A separate cover page should include the following: name, university/college, address, phone number, and e-mail address.

Additional Guidelines:
1. Graduate students are allowed to submit one paper per mini-conference to the graduate paper competition.
2. Papers from M.A. thesis projects are not eligible for this competition. These papers are eligible for consideration on non-competitive panels comprised of undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or faculty.
3. The paper may be single or co-authored original work of the student(s) submitting the paper. All authors must be either undergraduate or graduate students. There can be no student-faculty co-authored papers submitted for this award.
4. If your abstract is accepted as a conference submission, you are expected to present your paper, regardless of whether or not you win the award.
5. Presenters are required to register for the mini-conference.
6. The award-winner will be determined by a committee formed for that purpose by the Communication Center Section/NACC Student Coordinator.

Please email materials directly to Kim Cuny at . Please use the subject Huddy in your email submission.

Bob and Ann Weiss Competitive Undergraduate Paper Award

This undergraduate student honor was first awarded in 2007 by the National Association of Communication Centers. The association seeks to honor one top undergraduate paper focusing on the work of speaking centers or labs. Papers in this competition are theory based with an applied focus and may be reflexive in nature.

In order to be eligible, the undergraduate student submission must be an original research paper that meets the criteria of the call for conference submissions. It must be based on a communication theory, but it can be reflexive. An abstract is sufficient on or before February 20th of the conference year.

Submission Guidelines: The complete paper must be e-mailed as a Word attachment to the Communication Center Section/NACC Student Coordinator by the date announced in the call for papers. The subject line should read: "NACC Undergraduate Paper Competition." To ensure a blind review process, the document (body of paper and abstract) cannot include the author's name or affiliation. Information that in any way identifies the presenter or her/his affiliation may disqualify the proposal from consideration. A separate cover page should include the following: name, university/college, address, phone number, and e-mail address.

Additional Guidelines:

1. Current or recently graduated students are allowed to submit one paper per conference to the undergraduate paper competition.
2. The submission may be either a single-authored or co-authored paper written during undergraduate studies and is not limited to those written as part of coursework.
3. A student whose paper is accepted for presentation may not submit another paper from her/his undergraduate work for this competitive paper competition. She/he may submit additional papers for consideration on non-competitive panels.
4. If your abstract is accepted as a conference submission, you are expected to present your paper, regardless of whether or not you win the award.
5. Presenters are required to register for the mini-conference.
6. The award-winner will be determined by a committee formed for that purpose by the Communication Center Section/NACC Student Coordinator.

Please email materials directly to Kim Cuny at . Please use the subject Weiss in your email submission.

The Outstanding Tutor Award*

The award shall be presented to the person who has demonstrated excellence as a tutor in a communication center. Considerations include quality of assistance, dedication, knowledge, creativity, and unique contributions. No more than two nominees per institution may be nominated in a given year. Nominees may be either undergraduate or graduate students (as of May 1, 2012).

The nomination should include:

  • A cover letter stating why the person should be recognized as an outstanding tutor in a communication center;
  • A statement from the nominee about her/his participation in the communication center;
  • The nominee's current vita;
  • Evidence of the above considerations; and
  • A minimum of two and maximum of three letters of recommendation, including:
    • one from the director of the nominee's communication center, and
    • one from the tutoring staff at the nominee's communication center.

Please email materials directly to Kim Cuny at .

Nominations must be submitted by February 28, 2012 . The recipient will be chosen by a committee consisting of past hosts of the National Association of Communication Centers conference and selected by the current chair. The award will be presented at the NACC conference and reported at the NCA convention. All nominees will be recognized at the NACC conference.

*The name of the award will be adapted to the usage at the recipient's institution -e.g., tutor, peer advisor, or consultant.