The College of Communication and Information’s School of Communication (SCOM) has been selected to host the 2029 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Southeast Colloquium. This event, held annually, offers opportunities for journalism and mass communication faculty and students to share and discuss their research as well as network.

 “I think it’s an exciting opportunity for us,” said Dr. Patrick Merle, Director of the School of Communication. “It recognizes that we’re very intentional in placing research as a key priority for our school and are equally enthusiastic about engaging with others.”

The selection process for the host school each year is highly competitive, with units submitting proposals for consideration years in advance.

The submission process for having work accepted into the conference is equally competitive. Students, faculty, and scholars submit full papers, abstracts, and panel and teaching proposals for review by the organization. Through a rigorous blind-review process, the colloquium carefully selects the work that will be presented and peer-reviewed during the event.

Hosting the event on campus will allow participants to focus on their research and presentations without having to worry about logistical details associated with traveling to conferences. 

 “Practically speaking, they won’t have to seek funding to travel and lodging because it will be held here on site,” said Dr. Merle. “So, I’m hopeful that a lot of our students feel that they can submit something for the conference.”

Being selected to host the colloquium is both a notable achievement and an exciting opportunity for the School of Communication. Hosting an event of this scale, which brings scholars and students from across the region to the campus, will also allow the College of Communication and Information to showcase its research productivity. 

“I think it’ll be excellent to have people from across the country here with us so we can show them the campus and have rewarding discussions,” said Dr. Merle. “Scholarship is also about creating opportunities to engage in discussions with others and understand how we all study similar questions and how we can advance knowledge together.”