AEJMC interest groups
Civic and Citizen Journalism IG
The Civic Journalism Interest group began in 1994 during the formative years of civic / public journalism, which was focused on using journalistic practices to foster civic engagement. As time has passed, interests of the group and its membership have turned to new ways of expressing this engagement, especially through citizen-based participatory journalism, leading to a corresponding change of the group's name to the Civic and Citizen Journalism Interest Group in 2005. As blogging, hyper-local media, and audience contributions to online news operations of mainstream media have grown, CCJIG has developed into a vibrant community of scholars interested in research and teaching about these phenomena. A complete list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Civic Journalism IG website.
Community Journalism IG
The Community Journaism Interst Group was established in 2004. Community media constitute the vast majority of news outlets, but are often overlooked or dismissed by scholars in lieu of major regional, state, national, and international media. The Community Journalism Interest Group focuses on the role of journalism in community, focusing primarily on small- or niche-market media outlets (what we call "The bottom of the iceberg.") Community journalism has distinct benefits and challenges compared to larger media outlets, and that is why the group was formed and continues to grow. A list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Community Journalism IG website.
Entertainment Studies IG
The Entertainment Studies Interest Group was established in 2000. ESIG represents a unique niche in AEJMC. It is the only interest group or division that specializes in entertainment studies, which includes sports, video games and entertainment media. ESIG provides unique programming and serves as a research outlet in the areas of research, teaching and PF&R. ESIG is a frequent co-sponsor a mid-winter convention geared toward graduate students. A complete list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Entertainment Studies IG website.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender IG
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender interest group (GLBT) was established in 2003 with the desire and ability to create dialogue and support scholarship about GLBT concerns that should be discussed in classrooms nationwide. Our mission is to help journalism and mass communications professors integrate GLBT issues and perspectives into JMC education and to support research into these issues and perspectives. A full list of current officers is available. For information on academic resources on sexual orientation issues in the news media, visit the website of the NLGJA website.
Graduate Education IG
The Graduate Education Interest Group (GEIG) provides support and representation for graduate students within AEJMC. The group was created in 1993 by students dedicated to addressing graduate student issues and amplifying the graduate student voice within the larger body of the AEJMC. A substantial portion of the group's graduate student-centered programming takes place at the annual AEJMC national convention. GEIG also helps coordinate and co-sponsors a midwinter conference as a forum for graduate student work and communicates with members through a newsletter, list-serv, and Web page. A list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Graduate Education IG website.
Internships and Careers IG
The Internships & Careers Interest Group (ICIG), established 1994, exists to promote knowledge about careers and internships in journalism and mass communication to AEJMC’s membership and to educators and professionals everywhere. Our membership is open to any educator or professional with an interest in journalism careers and includes faculty members, administrators, career counselors and journalism practitioners. We sponsor convention programming that aims to explore important issues and recent trends regarding careers in the various journalism fields and industries. We encourage and support research that examines critical issues in the field experience, service-learning and career worlds. A list of current officers available. Click on name above to visit the Internships and Careers IG website.
Religion and Media IG
The Religion and Media Interest Group was established in 1996. The RMIG is dedicated to the exploration of the intersection of media and religion in our world. We encourage scholarly analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) of this intersection in three areas: (1) religion portrayed in secular media; (2) the manner in which religious institutions and organizations use the media to propagate their message; and (3) the impact of religion and/or religiosity of media consumers and its impact on their media use. A full list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Religion and Media IG website.
Science Communication Interest Group
Science Communication Interest Group was established 1991. The mission of the Science Communication Interest Group (SCIG) is to provide a forum for the advancement of the field of science communication and the professional development of its members. Current objectives of the group include: (1) Providing a community for those interested in science communication and to facilitate ethical and responsible practices; (2) Encouraging acceptance of “science” to include the environment, health and technology, not just science in the narrowest sense, and (3) Supporting a diversity of research methodologies and approaches in an ongoing effort to facilitate robust research in the area. A list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the SCIgroup website.
Small Programs IG
The Small Programs Interest Group was established 1994. SPIG is a forum primarily for faculty in small programs whose primary emphasis is teaching, advising and mentoring undergraduate students. Some of our members teach in small journalism and mass communication departments in large universities. Others consider their departments small because their colleges or universities are small. Each member decides how he or she defines small. Typically, members are in programs that require them to be teachers first. SPIG helps its members accomplish this task by frequently offering programs at the AEJMC convention that focus on teaching. SPIG convention panels and the listserv are cited as reasons that some members choose to remain in AEJMC. A list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the Small Programs IG website.
Community College Journalism Association
Community College Journalism Association was established in 1968. A full list of current officers is available. Click on name above to visit the CCJA website.