08/05/2025

2026 ECA Argumentation and Forensics Interest Group Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions
Argumentation and Forensics Interest Group
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 Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group of ECA invites you to submit individual completed competitive papers as well as panel, debate, and roundtable discussion proposals, for the 117th Annual ECA Convention to be held April 9 – 12, 2026 at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA. The submission deadline is October 19, 2025, 11:59pm PST.

The Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group welcomes submissions covering all topics relevant not only to the scholarship, teaching, and practice of argumentation, debate, and forensics, but also including the political and social role of argument, broadly defined. The interest group encourages an expansive view of topics relevant to studying the rational, dialectical, and/or rhetorical dynamics of arguments in relation to their contexts of use. All methodologies, philosophies, modalities, and theoretical perspectives are welcome. In addition to subjects relevant to teaching and coaching in competitive debate and forensics, we also welcome submissions which address the role of arguments in the contemporary political landscape, including but not limited to activism, protest, advocacy, campaigns, and debates.

We especially encourage submissions that are relevant to the theme of the 2026 convention: “Emergence.” Argumentation and forensics has long been an area concerned with emergence, from interrogating where arguments emerge from in the public sphere to reconsiderations of how to best position students to emerge with the practical, critical-thinking skills inherent to argumentation and debate pedagogy. Scholars and practitioners may also question how the study of argument emerges from and into over subfields of communication and rhetoric as well as other fields and disciplines entirely. 

Submission Guidelines for Individuals Papers
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.

Submission Guidelines for Panel/Program Proposals
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.  

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! 

For additional information about the upcoming convention, please visit ECA’s website http://www.ecacomm.org. All questions or concerns related to the Argumentation and Forensics Interest Group can be directed to the 2026 IG Planner: Timothy Michaels trm5449@psu.edu

Convention Acceptance Notifications: January 2026