Deadline to submit materials: August 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT
The National Communication Association (NCA) invites members to apply to serve on the NCA Generative AI Policy Task Force. The task force approved by the NCA Executive Committee will develop clear, NCA-wide policies for Executive Committee review and approval that address the ethical and transparent use of generative artificial intelligence in convention submissions, research publications, peer review, and grant submissions and reviews.
The task force will help NCA respond to emerging challenges related to generative AI, including the generation of undisclosed content, hallucinated citations, AI-assisted peer review, and appropriate disclosure practices. It aligns with NCA’s IDEA strategic plan goal to create an accountability structure that fosters transparency and responds to measurable data.
The call is open to NCA members interested in serving in the Task Force. The Association is seeking three at-large members, as well as designated representatives from key NCA councils and divisions.
The primary aim of the NCA Generative AI Policy Task Force is to develop a clear, Association-wide policy to guide the use of generative AI across NCA conventions, journals, peer-review processes, research grants, and award submission. The policy should distinguish acceptable AI uses, such as formatting, grammar assistance, and appropriate methodological applications, from unacceptable uses, such as undisclosed content generation, fabricated or hallucinated citations, and unauthorized AI-assisted review activity.
The Task Force will also recommend disclosure requirements for AI assistance, including whether and how authors, reviewers, editors, program planners, award submitters, and grant and award reviewers should identify the tools, platforms, prompts, or other forms of AI assistance they use. The group will propose actions NCA may take if unethical or unauthorized AI use is found, as well as an appeal procedure for affected members.
- Convention submissions, including papers, panels, and peer review.
- NCA journals, including editorial and reviewer practices related to generative AI and citation verification.
- All current and future NCA grant programs.
- Use of AI by authors, reviewers, editors, program planners, award submitters, award reviewers, and grant reviewers.
- Ethical, legal, and policy considerations related to AI use in scholarly communication.
- Chair: TBD by task force once instituted
- Three At-Large NCA Members: TBD
- NCA AI Representatives Dr. Anand Rao & TBA
- Research Council Representative TBA
- Teaching Council Representative Dr. Renee Houston
- Publications Council Representative Dr. Andrew High
- Award Committee Representative TBA
- Communication and Law Division or Interest Group Representative, with attention to ethics and legal/policy framing, TBA
- NCA Research Director Dr. Pallavi Guha
- NCA Convention Team Representative
- July 2026: Call for members and recruitment.
- August–October 2026: Task Force announcement, meetings, and policy proposal development.
- Fall 2026: Share findings with the Executive Committee before the Annual Convention for feedback and revision.
- November 2026: Executive Committee vote.
- December 2026: Announcement of approved policy.
- January 2027: Implementation begins.
- Attend and actively participate in Task Force meetings from August through October 2026.
- Review materials, policies, submission practices, publication guidelines, and relevant resources related to generative AI.
- Provide analysis and recommendations related to ethical, transparent, and accountable AI use across NCA programs.
- Help synthesize member, council, staff, editor, reviewer, and Executive Committee feedback.
- Contribute to a policy proposal and related implementation recommendations for Executive Committee consideration.
- A proposed NCA-wide generative AI policy for Executive Committee review and approval.
- Recommended disclosure requirements for AI-assisted work across conventions, journals, peer review, awards, and grants.
- Recommended procedures for responding to unethical or unauthorized AI use.
- An appeal procedure for members affected by determinations related to AI use.
- A final Task Force report documenting the process, recommendations, and implementation considerations.
Interested NCA members should submit the following materials by the deadline listed above:
- A one-paragraph (150 words) brief statement of interest describing relevant experience with generative AI, research ethics, publication policy, convention review, grants, teaching, or related areas.
- A current five-page CV.
- A one-paragraph (150 words) of the perspective or expertise the applicant would bring to the Task Force.
Selection will seek to ensure a Task Force membership that reflects the breadth of NCA’s membership, including variation in institution type, geographic location, academic rank, employment security, and areas of scholarly and professional expertise.
Council Representatives and the Research Director will select from among applicants for the at-large positions.
Please submit your application using the form below.
Applicants with questions about the Task Force or the application process may contact Dr. Pallavi Guha, Director of Research, Publication, and Professional Advancement at academic@natcom.org.