Alternative Conference Presentation Formats

A completed research project is typically shared with an academic audience for review. In most cases, students, faculty, and practitioners who engage in the research process are hoping to have their work published in an academic journal. However, another common way to share research is through academic and/or professional conference venues. In the field of communication studies, conference opportunities abound through professional organizations at international (e.g., International Communication Association), national (e.g., National Communication Association), regional (e.g., Central, Western, Southern, and Eastern associations), state, and local levels. The audiences for conferences may include all communication contexts and interest areas, or they may target specific specialty areas and scholars (e.g., Aspen Conference for Organizational Communication scholars; undergraduate research conferences). Conference participants learn if their work has been accepted for a conference through a submission and review process that is typically quite competitive, with acceptance rates generally falling below 50%. An individual may submit a [Page 22]completed paper, abstract, or discussion/panel ideas to program planners affiliated with the conference, at which point the submission is sent to reviewers.

Often, the feedback that is received from colleagues at conferences helps scholars further edit their work in preparation for submitting it for publication. Conference presentation formats vary greatly, with participants submitting their work according to the format that works best for their personal preference and the state of the completed research or draft. The alternative formats described in this entry provide explanations for the variety of opportunities to share and discuss trends and topics for communication teaching and research in the field.