Method/ology in the Rhetoric of Science, Technology and Medicine:
The Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARSTM) calls for submissions for the annual NCA preconference, to be held on November 20th, 2024. In 2024, the ARSTM preconference will focus on research method/ology.
Research methods in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine have diversified considerably over time, with traditional text-based approaches joined (and challenged) by those that ask us to center people and places, attending to both embodiment and emplacement. Scholars in the discipline increasingly do fieldwork, conducting observations, interviews and ethnographies, for example. Technology has transformed existing methods, reshaping archival work, for instance, while engendering new ones, such as large-scale digital methods and those that harness the power of generative AI. This preconference invites us to take stock of these and other such developments, while considering how we might continue to innovate around research method/ology. How do we, could we, and should we do research in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine? This preconference offers the opportunity for scholars of rhetoric, science, technology, and medicine to think through answers to these and other such questions together.
Given the conference theme, we are particularly interested in proposals for panels in non-traditional formats, such as those that lead participants through an exercise or explore research methods in ways that include hands-on engagement.
We also especially encourage submissions that do one or more of the following:
• Forefront methodology, highlighting methodological choices and their ramifications
• Showcase results from research projects that employ innovative methods
• Reflect on the methodological moment, situating current practices in the history of the discipline
• Address how technology has changed methodologies and methods in the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine
• Examine relationships between theory and method in the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine
• Advance our understanding of textual, field, digital, archival and/or other methods
• Discuss the potential for novel arts-based methods, to include those that engage visual, auditory, and/or tactile artistic processes
• Introduce strategies for collaborating across methodological divides, offering insight for rhetoricians who aim to work with practitioners in science, technology, and medicine
• Discuss methodological failures and what we might learn from them
• Envision the future of methods in research in the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine
In addition, we welcome submissions broadly related to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.
Submissions may be in the form of individual abstracts, panel proposals, or special sessions and should detail the main topic and approach in 500 words or fewer. Panel proposals should include three or four presenters and an additional 100-word rationale for the panel that carefully details how each paper contributes to an overall theme. Panels should include speakers from multiple institutions.
Submissions should be sent as an attachment without any identifying information to Michelle.Gibbons@unh.edu by Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. Please use “ARSTM Preconference Submission” as your email subject and provide your preferred contact information and the contact information for any co-authors in the email body. Any questions about this CFP may be addressed to Michelle Gibbons (Michelle.Gibbons@unh.edu).
Accepted papers will be invited for publication in an upcoming issue of POROI (ISSN 2151-2957).