Communication conference to feature multidisciplinary research

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites the submission of original, nonpublished research papers to be presented at its 2010 “Communication Crossroads” conference on Friday, April 9.

“Communication Crossroads” is a multidisciplinary graduate student conference sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW–Madison. This year’s conference aims to showcase cutting-edge graduate student research in the field of communication from departments across the UW–Madison campus.

In recent years, communication research has emerged as a truly multidisciplinary field, drawing from research in the humanities, social sciences, arts and technology fields. “Communication Crossroads” intends to facilitate exchange across disciplines and give emerging scholars an opportunity to interact with fellow student and faculty researchers.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is part of a nationally recognized center for communications research. An Academics Analytics/Chronicle of Higher Education report ranked the UW–Madison communication departments fourth in the nation for faculty productivity in mass communication research in 2008. Collectively they are one of only two programs rated in the top 5 for a second consecutive year.

The conference is free and open to the campus community and public. It will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Nafziger Room on the fifth floor of Vilas Communications Hall, 821 University Ave.

Here are the guidelines for submitting papers:

• Submit a 500-word abstract in electronic or hard copy. Preliminary research, proposals, and thesis and dissertation chapters are welcome. Do not submit full papers. Abstracts should give a clear sense of the scope of the research and the method of inquiry.
• Papers must be authored by graduate students. Student-led papers with faculty co-authors are acceptable.
• Include a cover sheet indicating your name, department, phone number and e-mail address. Abstracts and papers will be judged by blind review and should contain no indication of authorship on any page other than the cover sheet.
• Submit electronic copies to jschoolgradconf@gmail.com or submit printed abstracts and cover sheets to the “Grad Conference” mailbox in 5115 Vilas Hall.

The abstract submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28.

Authors of selected abstracts will be informed by Monday, March 8. Full papers (not exceeding 30 pages including figures, charts and appendices) are due Friday, April 2.