📅 Application Opens: January 30, 2026

Application Deadline: March 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT

📍 Convention: November 19-22, 2026 | New Orleans, Louisiana

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The National Communication Association invites scholars, practitioners, and advanced graduate students to contribute to the success of our Annual Convention by serving as reviewers, session chairs, and respondents. Your participation helps ensure the quality and diversity of our academic program while advancing communication scholarship.

Applications will open on January 30, 2026. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the reviewer application form by March 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. We welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive process.

Service Opportunities

Reviewer

  • Evaluate cutting-edge research submissions in your area of expertise
  • Provide constructive feedback to help authors strengthen their work
  • Engage with the latest developments in communication research
  • Enhance your own critical evaluation skills

Session Chair

  • Moderate convention sessions
  • Facilitate engaging discussions between presenters and audience
  • Ensure smooth session flow and time management
  • Create an inclusive environment for scholarly dialogue

Respondent

  • Offer scholarly feedback on presented papers
  • Synthesize key themes across presentations
  • Foster meaningful academic discourse
  • Contribute to theoretical and methodological discussions

Benefits of Volunteering

  • Engage with cutting-edge research in your field
  • Develop critical evaluation and leadership skills
  • Expand your professional network
  • Receive a letter of completion upon request (useful for tenure/promotion documentation)

Important Dates

  • Applications Open: January 30, 2026
  • Application & Submission Deadline: March 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT
  • Reviewer Assignments Distributed: April 8, 2026
  • Reviews Due: May 6, 2026
  • Acceptance Notifications: Mid-July 2026
  • Registration & Housing Opens: Mid-July 2026
  • Online Program Published: Mid-July 2026
  • Early Bird Registration: September 16, 2026
  • Hotel Reservation Deadline: October 11, 2026
  • Convention: November 19-22, 2026 | New Orleans, Louisiana

Commitment and Expectations

Review Workload: Reviewers typically evaluate 5-20 submissions based on their indicated capacity

Time Commitment: Plan for approximately 45-60 minutes per review. Total time commitment depends on the number of reviews you accept.

Review Period: You will have approximately 4 weeks to complete your reviews (April 8 – May 6, 2026)

  • Chairs and respondents are assigned based on their expertise and availability
  • All volunteers must provide fair, constructive, and timely feedback
  • Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and avoided
  • Extension requests should be directed to your unit program planner as soon as possible

Review Platform Information

Platform: Reviews will be conducted through the X-CD Technologies online submission system

Access: Once program planners complete reviewer assignments in early April, you will receive email notification(s) with instructions to log in using your NCA credentials. Note: If you volunteered for multiple units, you will receive a separate invitation from each unit’s program planner.

Features: The system allows you to view submissions, submit reviews, and track your progress

Device Compatibility: The system is accessible via desktop, tablet, and mobile devices

Support: For technical assistance with the X-CD platform, contact convention@natcom.org

How to Get Involved:

If you are interested in this service opportunity, please fill out the reviewer application form by March 25, 11:59 p.m. PT. We welcome volunteers from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive process. Unit Program Planners are responsible for accepting and assigning reviewers based on their areas of expertise.

Questions?