In our continuing efforts to internationalize ICA and develop and support opportunities for connecting communication scholars across the globe, ICA has increased our commitment to participate and help sponsor regional conferences. Thus, not only are we planning one the largest and most expansive annual  ICA  conferences in London in  June, we  are supporting two regional conferences, one 18-19 July 2012 in Malaga, Spain and the other 8-10 November 2013 in Shanghai, China.  

Regional conferences offer unique and exciting opportunities. Last year ICA helped co-organize regional conferences in Lille, France and Santiago, Chile. Each of these conferences was extremely successful. Bringing together approximately 200 scholars from more than 20 countries, these small and exciting venues enabled participants to share their latest research engaging a particular theme, explore diverse perspectives on critical issue facing the discipline, and lay the groundwork for future friendships, partnerships, and scholarly collaborations. Participants have all agreed that attending a regional conference is a wonderful and distinctive opportunity that should not be missed.

This year the ICA and executive committee are working closely with colleagues in Spain and China to continue to build bridges across divisions, regions and international associations. Below is the basic information about the conferences.  Detailed information and the calls for papers can be found at https://www.icahdq.org/conf/cosponsored.asp  

1. ICA in collaboration with the Asociación de Comunicación Política-Political Communication Association (ACOP) and the Asociación Española de Investigación de la Comunicación-Spanish Association of Communication Research (AE-IC) and the Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Universidad de Málaga-Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Malaga, Málaga (Spain) is cosponsoring a regional conference in Malaga Spain on 18-19 July 2013. The conference theme is “Why Should I Trust You? Challenges for Communication in Times of Crisis”. The deadline for submission is 25 February 2013.

2. The ICA Shanghai regional conference, organized jointly by 15 universities (in mainland China with a global advisory board and partnerships) in agreement with the International Communication Association is scheduled for 8-10 November 2013 in Shanghai, China. The theme is "Communication and Social Transformation" and the deadline for submission is May 2013.

These are extraordinary opportunities that I hope you take advantage of and attend one or both of the regional conferences. What better way for us to carry out and celebrate ICA’s mission?

Cheers,
Cynthia