Even before this year’s conference actually took off, all ICA members were assured that this was going to be an event of superlatives: a record number of submissions, a record number of presented papers, a record number of delegates, a record number of pre- and postconferences. The unprecedented number of delegates was unfortunately combined with limited capacities of the conference hotel, which led to overcrowded sessions and corridors. However, London, as one of the most vibrant European cities both academically and culturally, was worth the price and we are sure the delegates enjoyed an inspiring conference.

During the conference, several events geared specifically towards graduate students and their concerns were successfully arranged by ICA members. We are glad that the organizers shared the following reflections with us:

Craig Scott (Rutgers U) said:

“Just prior to the main conference, the Organizational Communication Division hosted a doctoral consortium preconference on ‘Expanding Your Scholarly Comfort Zone.’ 20 students from 5 different countries and 15 distinct universities participated in the full day event, which touched on topics such as doing dissertations that get done but also push the envelope; expanding into new approaches, methods, and novel research domains; taking smart academic risks; and transitioning from graduate student to scholarly professional. Doctoral students also met in small faculty/student groups to discuss their current dissertation research over lunch. The day was guided by 13 faculty mentors from 8 additional universities and 4 more countries: Kevin Barge (Texas A&M U), Boris Brummans (U of Montreal), Patrice Buzzanell (Purdue U), Ling Chen (Hong Kong Baptist U), Johnny Garner (Texas Christian U), Matt Koschmann (U of Colorado), Shiv Ganesh (Massey U), Anne Nicotera (George Mason U), Linda Putnam (U of California-Santa Barbara), Keri Stephens (U of Texas – Austin), Paaige Turner (Saint Louis U), Bart van den Hooff (VU U Amsterdam), and myself. Feedback from the event suggested this was another very successful preconference for the division.”

Miriam Metzger (U of California - Santa Barbara) comments on the Communication & Technology Doctoral Consortium:

“It brought together PhD candidates working on communication and technology topics and ICA CAT faculty and gave students the opportunity to present and discuss their research in a constructive and international atmosphere. The goals of the consortium were to provide feedback and advice to participating PhD candidates on their in-progress research thesis. Moreover, the doctoral consortium gave participants the opportunity to meet faculty experts as well as fellow PhD candidates from different backgrounds working on related topics. 

During the consortium, students presented their work and received feedback from consortium participants, all of whom read the proposals in advance of the meeting date. Participating faculty members were assigned to a small number of student proposals, and responded in detail. In addition to the student presentations of proposals and feedback, there was also discussion of professional development topics such as research ethics, methods, publishing the dissertation thesis, and positioning oneself for the job market.

The 4th Annual CAT Doctoral Consortium was held this year on 17 June 2013. Students applied to participate, and a program committee selected students based on their projects relevant to ICA’s CAT Division and the timing of their projects. 12-16 students are selected to participate with 10-12 faculties from around the world each year.

The ICA CAT Doctoral Consortium has become a very meaningful way to introduce PhD students into the academic world of ICA. Participating faculty and student have praised the program each year. As evidence of the program’s success, we were thrilled to find out during this year’s CAT Business Meeting in London that seven former CAT Doctoral Consortium participants’ PhD theses were among the winners or runners up for the prestigious Herbert Dordick S. Dissertation Award. This award honors the memory of Professor Dordick by recognizing the most outstanding dissertation on communication and technology produced in the preceding year." 

Below are a few testimonials from the PhD students and faculty members that have participated in the Doctoral Consortium in past years:

• "I think the Doctoral Consortium is a wonderful idea that furthers the academic goals and interests of student members in ICA from different parts of the world."
• I enjoyed the ability to interact with faculty and colleagues in a small and intimate setting. I really appreciated the fact that faculty took the time, effort and interest to provide detailed and constructive feedback to the students."

Prior faculty participants stated:

• It is just so wonderful to spend a full day of undivided attention on research. This is not just useful for the students but also fun for us.”

Michael Slater (Ohio State U) spoke about the preconference Successful Publication in Top - Ranked Communication Journals: A Guide for Non-native English Speakers:

“We had a ‘full house’ with over 30 registrants, faculty and graduate students from all over the world to hear presentations including the ones from editors of leading journals in the field: Malcolm Parks (U of Washington) of Journal of Communication and Pam Shoemaker (Syracuse U) of Communication Research, Peter Vorderer (U of Mannheim, ICA President-Elect and formerly editor of both German and English language media psychology journals), Frank Esser (U of Zurich ) of ICA's Publication Committee, Michael Slater (Ohio State U), a reviewer for most of the major communication journals, and an outstanding workshop presentation by Jochen Peter and Patti Valkenburg of U of Amsterdam providing tips for writing effective scholarly English and on handling the journal publication process.” 

The new members and graduate student orientation meeting was another great opportunity to get to know the ICA and its divisions as well as to interact with the Executive Committee. Cynthia Stohl, Francois Heinderyckx, Peter Vorderer, Francois Cooren, Barbie Zelizer and Michael Haley answered questions of keen new members and made them feel warmly welcome to the association. My personal highlight was the graduate student reception in the charming Grand Union, Paddington, excellently organized by outgoing student board member Sojung Claire Kim (High Point U) and my co-student board member Rahul Mitra (Purdue U). The approximately 150 graduate students in attendance enjoyed tasty food, cold drinks and great music while catching up with old and new friends.

London was definitely an event of superlatives, but I am already looking forward to the next conference in Seattle dedicated to the topic of Communication and “the Good Life.”