Conference Paper/Publication Options

Expectations

Ph.D. students are expected to present six to 13 conference papers and publish three to six research papers upon graduation from the program. Each paper presented at conference should be viable for publication. Here is a list of common conferences and publications that accept journalism and mass communications research.

(Adopted Fall 2015; Revised Spring 2021)

Main Conferences

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) is a major conference. It’s the most prominent and prestigious conference among journalism and mass communication researchers. There are 28 divisions and interest groups that accept papers for the annual August conference. AEJMC also hosts regional conferences. Paper submission deadline is April 1. Learn more at the AEJMC website.

International Communication Association (ICA) is also a major conference. Because it’s an international conference, it is held outside North American every few years. ICA has 28 divisions and interest groups covering a variety of research areas. The annual conference is either Memorial Day (if located in North American) or in early June. 29. Paper submission deadline: Nov. 1. Learn more at the ICA website.

National Communication Association (NCA) is a top-flight conference that accepts papers in 48 divisions and interest groups. The NCA conference is in late November, and provides an opportunity to present papers in a large variety of communication disciplines, including Communications and Aging, Game Studies, Spiritual Communication, and Theatre, Film, and New Multi-Media. Paper submission deadline: Late March. Learn more at the NCA website.

Other Conferences

International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) accepts extended abstracts instead of papers. If the abstract is accepted, the paper must be complete before the conference. The conference is usually in July and at an international site. In 2015, Montreal was the first North American city to host the conference. Abstract submission deadline: Usually November

American Academy of Advertising (AAA) conference is hosted by a U.S. city, usually in March. It also has a doctoral dissertation competition. Paper submission deadline: Early October

Broadcast Education Association (BEA) April conference is always in Las Vegas. It features 17 divisions and interest groups. BEA also hosts regional conferences. Paper submission deadline: Dec. 1

World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) conference varies between May and September. The conferences are in North America and international. WAPOR has 16 topic areas for paper submission. Paper submission deadline: November

American Journalism Historians Association (AJHA) is the leading organization that accepts historical research in journalism and mass communications. It accepts papers and research-in-progress abstracts. AJHA’s annual conference is in October. Paper/Abstract submission deadline: Mid-May Regional conferences include the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR), Central States Communication Association (CSCA), and AEJMC midwinter conference.

List of Publications

Ideally, students should aim at Quartile 1 and Quartile 2 journals as ranked by Scimago and Journal Citation Reports, available through KU Libraries. But other journals, especially those that target relevant audiences and that have strong editorials boards, can be good choices.

Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

Journalism & Mass Communication Educator

Newspaper Research Journal

Journal of Sports Media

Communication & Sport

Journal of Communication

Human Communication Research

Communication Theory

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

Communication, Culture & Critique

Journalism Practice

Critical Studies in Media Communication