Annual Paper Competition Calls

How to Choose the Right Division, Commission or Interest Group (DIG)

to Submit Research for the AEJMC Annual Paper Competition

Selecting the right AEJMC Division, Commission or Interest Group (DIG) is one of the most important steps in the submission process. Each group has a distinct focus, and aligning your paper with the best fit increases the likelihood of a strong review and acceptance.

Important Reminder:
1. Each paper may be submitted to only one Division, Commission or Interest Group.

2. Submissions with Student and Faculty authors are considered “Faculty” Submissions.  They would be disqualified in the “Student” Category of any Division, Commission or Interest Group link.

STEP 1 — Choose Submission Type FIRST

Is your paper complete?

• YES → Submit as Full Paper
• NOT YET → Consider Research-in-Progress (RIP)

Note:

• RIP is ideal for:
• Early findings
• Partial data
• Work needing feedback
• Not all DIGs/Divisions accept RIP

Step 2 — Start with Your Topic

Ask yourself: What is my paper primarily about?

Journalism / News / Media Production

• Broadcast & Mobile Journalism (BAMJ)
• Magazine Media (MMAG)
• Newspaper & Online News (NOND)

Best for: reporting, newsrooms, storytelling, journalism practices

Global / International Communication

• International Communication (INTC)

Best for: cross-cultural, global media systems, Global South, international flows

Technology / AI / Digital Media

• Communication Technology (CTEC)

Best for: social media, platforms, AI, digital environments, online communities

Advertising / Public Relations / Strategic Communication

• Advertising (ADVD)
• Public Relations (PRDV)

Best for: campaigns, branding, persuasion, messaging, industry practices

Media Effects / Society / Audiences

• Mass Communication & Society (MCSD)

Best for: broad communication questions, media effects, societal impact

Law / Policy / Ethics

• Law & Policy (LAWP)
• Media Ethics (ETHC)

Best for: regulation, free speech, media law, policy analysis

Health / Science / Risk Communication

• Communicating Science, Health, Environment & Risk (SHER)

Best for: health messaging, science communication, environmental issues

Historical Research

• History (HIST)

Best for: archival, historical analysis, media history

Culture / Identity / Power / Critical Perspectives

• Cultural & Critical Studies (CCSD)

Best for: race, gender, identity, ideology, power, social justice

Specialized / Niche Topics

Often best suited for:

• Interest Groups (IGs)
• Commissions

Examples:

• Religion & Media → IG
• LGBTQ+ Studies → Commission
• Political Communication → Division
• Community Journalism → IG
• Teaching / Pedagogy → Commission, Division or Interest Group [READ CALLS]

STEP 3 — Division vs Commission or Interest Group

Ask:

Choose a Commission or Interest Group if:

§  Your topic is highly specific or niche

§  Your citations cluster around a specialized community

§  You want targeted reviewer expertise

§  Choose a Division if:

§  Your topic is broad or widely applicable

§  Your contribution speaks to larger field conversations

§  You want broader visibility

Step 4 — Consider Your Approach

Your method and perspective also matter:

Quantitative / Experimental / Survey-Based

• MCSD
• CTEC
• BAMJ
• INTC

Qualitative (Interviews, Ethnography, Discourse Analysis)

• CCSD (critical/cultural focus)
• MCSD (broad applicability)
• BAMJ / INTC / CTEC (topic-specific)

Theory or Method-Focused

• Communication Theory & Methodology (CTAM)

Best for: advancing theory, methods, or conceptual frameworks

Step 5 — Match Your Contribution

Ask: What does my paper contribute most?

Step 6 — When More Than One Group Fits

It’s common for a paper to fit multiple groups. In that case:

Choose the group where:

• Your core research question fits best
• Your citations align with that field
• Reviewers will most immediately “recognize” your contribution

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting based only on method (e.g., “qualitative = CCSD”)
• Choosing the broadest group instead of the best fit
• Ignoring the DIG’s specific call and priorities
• Waiting until the last minute to decide

Pro Tip for Stronger Submissions

Before submitting:

§  Read the DIG’s full call carefully

§  Use keywords from that call in your abstract

§  Align your framing with that Division’s priorities

Need Help?

If you are unsure where your paper fits, we encourage you to:

• Review DIG-specific calls
• Consult with colleagues or mentors
• Reach out to AEJMC for guidance

Choosing the right Division is not just administrative—it’s strategic.
The best submissions clearly align their topic, method, and contribution with the DIG’s mission.