Call for Papers Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine
NCA 2019: Communication for Survival
Submit online through Convention Central: https://www.natcom.org/nca-
The purpose of the Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARSTM) is to promote research, teaching, and civic engagement that explores the communicative and persuasive dimensions of scientific, technical, and biomedical texts, genres, practices, materials, and settings. Members are concerned with how scientific and technical discourses shape and are shaped by broader rhetorical, cultural, historical, and material forces.
ARSTM invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2019 NCA convention. Submissions may cover any area of the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine, including but not limited to the rhetorical analysis and critique of (1) scientific and technological texts, materials, practices, and genres; (2) the production, deployment, invocation, and contestation of scientific ideas and technological visions in political, professional or disciplinary, and literary or social contexts (e.g., policy debates, scientific controversies, popular culture); and (3) discourses of reason and rationality, including reflexive engagement with the rhetoric of science as a field.
General Submission Information
All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered. All submitters are encouraged to review the Professional Standards for Convention Participants prior to submission. This document can be found in the Convention Resource Library, along with other convention resources like definitions of submission times and “how to submit” guides.
Submission Types
Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.
Individual Paper submissions should include a title, a paper description for the online convention program (75 words maximum), and an extended abstract of 500-1000 words (inclusive of footnotes/endnotes and references/works cited), which clearly outlines connections to existing RSTM scholarship, the contributions of the proposed project to scholarship in the RSTM field, the project’s methodology, and the texts or evidence (however broadly defined) on which claims will be based. Only PDF files will be accepted. To be considered for the Ploeger Award for top student paper (detailed below), submitters must submit a complete paper of no more than 25 pages of 12 point and double-spaced text, excluding references or endnotes, and including a maximum 100 word abstract. All authors must be students at the time of submission to be considered for this award. Submitters should indicate they are students by selecting the appropriate box on the electronic submission form.
Paper Session submissions should include a title for the session, a session description for the online convention program (75 words maximum), a list of presenters, their institutional affiliations, and e-mail addresses, titles and descriptions (250 words maximum) for each paper, and a session rationale (500 words maximum) justifying the significance to existing RSTM scholarship and justifying the theme of the session.
Panel Discussion submissions should include a title for the panel, a panel description (75 words maximum) for the online program, a list of presenters, their institutional addresses and e-mail addresses, and a panel rationale (500 words maximum) justifying the significance to existing RSTM scholarship and justifying the theme of the panel.
Joanna Ploeger Memorial Essay Award
Established in 2007 in honor of the late ARSTM past President Joanna Ploeger, this award recognizes the top student papers submitted to ARSTM in a given year. Each year the award recipient’s work will be featured on the ARSTM top papers panel at NCA. Award recipients also receive a plaque and are recognized at the ARSTM business meeting.
To be considered for the Ploeger Award, applicants must submit a completed individual paper following the submission guidelines above. Works-in-progress submissions cannot be considered for the Ploeger Award.
Ploeger Award submissions must be marked as “student-authored” on the electronic submission form at NCA Convention Central. Submissions not marked as “student-authored” will not be considered for the Ploeger Award.
Additional Notes
A paper, session, or panel may only be submitted to one NCA unit.
Individuals may present only one paper on ARSTM-sponsored panels, whether submitted as an individual paper or as part of a session. However, individuals may chair or respond to panels in addition to presenting a single paper.
Papers should not have been accepted for publication before the time of submission.
Each submission should express a coherent project that addresses current concerns in RSTM scholarship, and exhibits sound methodology. Extended abstracts should clearly outline the contributions of the proposed project, and its methodology, scope, and texts,
Student papers should be marked as “student-authored” on the electronic submission form. Debut submissions should clearly indicate “Debut” status on the cover page of the uploaded document.
Participants are encouraged to keep equipment requests to a minimum. Requests for specific equipment must be submitted online and meet the same submission deadlines for papers, sessions, and panels.
Deadline for Submission:
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time
Submit online through Convention Central: https://www.natcom.org/nca-
Program Planner:
Dr. Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher, University of Waterloo (Canada)
Email: ashley.mehlenbacher@uwaterloo.
ARSTM Web: https://www.arstmonline.org/
ARSTM listserv: arstm@artsservices.uwaterloo.