[Note: Several other ICA divisions and interest groups may be appropriate for presence-related submissions. See their Calls at https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ICA24-cfps –Matthew]

Call for Papers

74th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference
Gold Coast, Australia
June 20-24, 2024
https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ICA24

Human-Machine Communication Interest Group
https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/HMC_CFP

Jihyun Kim, Vice-Chair & 2024 Planner
Nicholson School of Communication and Media
University of Central Florida
jihyun.kim@ucf.edu

Submission deadline: November 1, 2023 at noon EST

The Human-Machine Communication (HMC) Interest Group supports and promotes scholarship regarding communication between people and technologies designed to enact the role of communicator. Such technologies include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) software and devices, robots, digital and home assistants, automated-writing software, smart toys, and Internet of Things (IOT) devices. HMC research focuses on the meaning-making that unfolds when people engage directly with technology as a communicative subject rather than as an object used to communicate with other people. HMC encompasses the aspects of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Human-Agent Interaction (HAI), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) pertaining to technologies that function as communicators. It also includes the philosophical and critical examination of these technologies and their integration into daily life.

The HMC Interest Group welcomes submissions focused on the many aspects of the creation of meaning between humans and technologies designed to enact the role of communicator and the implications of people’s interactions with these technologies for individuals, organizations, and society. Relevant topics also include the study of the development and design of technologies as communicative subjects; the integration of these technologies into media-related industries (e.g., automated journalism); the augmentation of the body with technology (e.g., human augmentics); cultural discourse surrounding technologies that function as communicators; and the historical, philosophical, theoretical, and methodological development of HMC as a distinct subfield of communication. Papers regarding topics not specified here but directly related to the focus of the Interest Group are also welcome. Authors are encouraged, but not required, to engage with the conference theme of “Communication and Global Human Rights.”

Submissions are welcome from the various theoretical and methodological approaches to communication research. Authors are encouraged to clearly state the aims/goals of the paper and how they will be achieved; to articulate how their work relates and contributes to HMC and communication research; and to clearly and completely explain theoretical and methodological aspects of their work. Authors should select specific keywords that describe the type of manuscript being submitted, the subject of the manuscript, and the approach and method used. We highly encourage submissions from diverse regions and backgrounds.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HMC INTEREST GROUP:

Authors should review ICA’s General Guidelines for All Submissions and Ethical Considerations found within the General Call for Papers. Additionally, we would like to underscore several guidelines that are particularly important for the HMC Interest Group:

• Each paper/proposal may be submitted to only one Division or Interest Group, OR to the theme sessions. Submission of the same paper/proposal to more than one division is not permitted and will disqualify the paper.

• In keeping with the HMC Interest Group’s goal of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in research in all its forms, individual scholars can be listed as first author on a maximum of two submissions. No more than two submissions will be reviewed from any given first author.

• For the HMC Interest Group, papers cannot be under consideration for publication or presentation or have been accepted for publication or presentation at the time of their submission to the ICA conference.

Submission Guidelines:

• All papers/abstracts must be properly anonymized. This includes removing all author names and affiliations from the manuscript and from the name of the file and metadata. Authors should be careful that in-text and reference citations do not disclose aspects of author identity (particularly references to works “in print” or “in review”). Failure to adequately anonymize a manuscript will disqualify the submission.

• Use APA 7th edition format.

Submission Types:

• Full-length Papers: Maximum length is 25 pages (double-spaced), not including title page, tables/figures, and references. If the manuscript is longer than the page limit, a reviewer has a right to stop reading it at the end of the page 25 and make the assessment. Accepted papers will be presented as part of regular paper sessions, high-density sessions, and/or interactive poster sessions.

• Extended Abstracts: Maximum length is 10 pages (double-spaced), not including title page, tables, and references. The extended abstract format is intended for works in progress. Submissions should clearly state the focus of the research, provide a general sense of the literature and theories, explain the key aspects of the approach and method (when appropriate), highlight any preliminary findings or provide a preview of a theoretical argument or critique, and clearly state what aspects of the research still have to be completed. If the manuscript is longer than the page limit, a reviewer has a right to stop reading it at the end of the page 10 and make the assessment. Extended abstracts will be presented as part of high-density sessions and/or interactive poster sessions. Extended abstracts are not eligible for top paper awards.

• Interactive Posters: Authors who think their research is better presented in an interactive format are encouraged to note this when submitting their manuscript. Submissions should follow guidelines for papers (full-length paper or extended abstract). If the submission is accepted as a poster, authors will be expected to prepare a poster display of the research for presentation at the conference. Please note that poster sessions will be available as an in-person format only.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE PRESENTATION TYPE:

As a submitter, you will designate it as an in-person or remote presentation in the paper submission portal. The following provides two types of presentation. More detailed information will be available on the ICA website.

• In-person presentations: You should choose to make an in-person submission if you are reasonably certain you’re going to travel to Gold Coast, Australia in June.

• Remote presentation: You should choose to make your submission a remote presentation submission if you are fairly certain you are not traveling to T Gold Coast, Australia.

AWARDS:

The Interest Group will present Top paper awards, including a Top student paper. To be considered for the Top Student Paper Award, 1) all authors must be students and 2) the paper must be designated as a student paper within the submission system.

REVIEWERS:

Reviewing is a critical part of conference experiences. To ensure that papers are reviewed by a diverse pool of qualified reviewers, we need reviewers. Please see the following.

• Eligibility: Scholars with a PhD or have advanced to the rank of PhD candidate

• Required: All authors with a PhD or have advanced to the rank of PhD who are listed in the manuscript submitted to the HMC Interest Group are required to review papers submitted to our Interest Group.

• Sign up as a reviewer on the submission page:  Please fill in your areas of expertise and check the keywords that best describe your expertise and interests.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about the ICA2024 HMC submission, please email the HMC 2024 program planner and Vice-Chair, Jihyun Kim (jihyun.kim@ucf.edu) with “ICA HMC” in the subject line.