52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium
The University of Mississippi is pleased to host the 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, March 11–13, 2027, in Oxford, Mississippi.
As the oldest and most established regional gathering within the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the Southeast Colloquium has provided a welcoming and accessible space for scholarly exchange since 1976. The conference brings together faculty, graduate students, media professionals, and scholars from across the region and beyond to share research, receive feedback, and build professional connections.
This year’s theme, “Trust, Truth, and Transformation,” invites participants to explore how journalism and mass communication respond to a rapidly changing media environment shaped by misinformation, artificial intelligence, polarization, shifting public trust, and evolving technologies.
Registration, the call for papers, schedule details, hotel information, and travel updates will be posted as they become available.
Welcome!
Welcome to the 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, hosted by the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media from March 11–13, 2027. We are honored to welcome faculty, graduate students, researchers, media professionals, and interested guests to Oxford for this longstanding regional. The colloquium offers a collegial setting for sharing research, discussing works-in-progress, receiving feedback, and connecting with colleagues across journalism and mass communication.
This year’s gathering will feature paper presentations, panel sessions, networking opportunities, and pre-conference programming focused on AI and teaching and creative research environments. Whether you are a returning participant or attending the Southeast Colloquium for the first time, we hope your time at Farley Hall and around campus will be intellectually engaging, professionally valuable, and personally enjoyable.
Hoddy Toddy!
Dr. Marquita S. Smith, 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, Director
Marquita Smith
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Media and Communication
Conference Theme: Trust, Truth, and Transformation
This year’s theme, “Trust, Truth, and Transformation,” speaks to urgent questions facing journalism and mass communication scholars, educators, practitioners, and students.
In a rapidly changing media environment, how do we understand, sustain, and rebuild trust? How are truth, evidence, and credibility shaped by digital platforms, artificial intelligence, misinformation, political polarization, and shifting audience expectations? How are journalism, strategic communication, media industries, and communication education being transformed in response?
The 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium invites participants to explore these questions from a range of theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, and professional perspectives. We welcome work that examines how communication can inform, connect, and serve communities in moments of uncertainty and change.
The AEJMC Southeast Colloquium is the oldest and most established regional gathering within AEJMC. First convened in 1976, the colloquium was created as an intimate and accessible space for scholars to share works-in-progress, test new ideas, and connect with colleagues outside of the larger national conference.
Over the years, the colloquium has grown into a vibrant academic tradition that brings together faculty, graduate students, and media professionals from across the Southeast and beyond. It continues to provide a supportive forum for scholarly exchange, mentorship, interdisciplinary conversation, and professional development. Last year, we gathered at the University of Tampa. And this 52nd annual colloquium at the University of Mississippi continues this tradition while looking ahead to the future of journalism and mass communication in a rapidly changing media environment.
A full conference schedule will be posted closer to the event. The 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium will take place March 11 –13, 2027 at the University of Mississippi.
The program is expected to include research presentations, panel sessions, featured programming, networking opportunities, and optional pre-conference activities. Possible programming may include a post-conference local cultural or networking event to the Mississippi Delta.
Tentative schedule overview:
- Thursday, March 11: Pre-conference programming, conference check-in, and keynote and evening welcome reception
- Friday, March 12: Paper and panel sessions featured session, networking opportunities
- Saturday, March 13: Morning sessions, graduate student presentations, and closing business meeting; Mississippi Delta Trip
Registration for the 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium will open on November 2. All presenters and attendees are encouraged to register in advance. Registration information, including rates, deadlines, payment instructions, and any included meals or events, will be posted here when available.
Registration may include access to conference sessions, conference materials, selected networking events, and other conference activities. Presenters should review all registration deadlines carefully to ensure inclusion in the final program.
For questions about registration, please contact Dr. Marquita Smith.
Colloquium Rates
Student (undergraduate and graduate) regular rate: $130
Faculty regular rate: $190
Pre-Conference: Free for students and $25 for faculty.
Important Dates
- Registration opens: November 2, 2026
- Early registration deadline: February 15, 2027
- Final registration deadline: March 6, 2027
- Registration link: We need to create the link.
- Questions?
Contact the Southeast Colloquium director, Dr. Marquita Smith, smithms@olemiss.edu.
The call for papers for the 52nd Annual AEJMC Southeast Colloquium will open on December 1.
Faculty, graduate students, independent scholars, media professionals, and educators are invited to submit proposals for papers, panels, and presentations. Submissions may address this year’s theme, “Trust, Truth, and Transformation,” or other topics relevant to journalism and mass communication.
The colloquium welcomes scholarship from a broad range of areas, including journalism studies, strategic communication, media law and ethics, visual communication, political communication, health communication, communication technology, media history, international communication, advertising, public relations, sports communication, and related fields.
We especially encourage submissions from graduate students and early-career scholars.
The colloquium will take place in Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi. Consistently ranked among America’s best college towns, it blends Southern charm with an unmistakable creative energy and is known as the “Velvet Ditch” because it is easy to fall into and hard to leave.
Research Papers—General Call
Authors are encouraged to submit completed papers, as well as extended abstracts for consideration. Submissions must be original work that has not been previously presented at a conference of under consideration or published in a journal. All papers should be prepared as either a Microsoft (.docx) or PDF file, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Papers must be anonymized for blind review. Submitters must remove names, affiliations, acknowledgments, and identifying self-citations from their manuscripts, and check file properties/metadata to ensure anonymity. Papers that do not adhere to these guidelines will be disqualified. All papers must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., CT on December 1, 2026.
Full Paper Submissions
Full paper submissions are invited from students, faculty and independent scholars. The page limit for completed papers is 25 pages (excluding references, tables, and figures). However, for the Law and Policy division, the page limit is 50 pages. Include a 250-word abstract with your manuscript.
Extended Abstract Submissions
Extended abstract submissions ranging from 1200-1500 words (excluding references, tables and figures) are also invited. Please note that the Open Division competition does not accept extended abstracts.
Panel Proposals
The colloquium also invites students, faculty, and independent scholars to submit panel proposals which contribute to timely, insightful, and engaging conversation. Generally speaking, there are two types of panels for the colloquium: Division/interest group specific panel sessions and panel topics that broadly offer advice designed to benefit a wide variety of groups.
Panel submissions are not anonymous given that they do not follow the standard review process used in the paper competition and not all proposals will be accepted. Panel proposals should contain the following information:
- A title for the panel
- The divisions, commissions, or interest groups the panel represents
- A brief description of the panel that highlights the potential appeal and importance of the topic
- A more detailed discussion of the session’s themes, goals and contributions. Limit this to 1-2 double-spaced pages
- A list of potential or confirmed panelists, including their names, titles, and institutional or professional affiliations
All panels must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on November 1, 2026
Please submit any research questions, suggestions, or concerns to Dr. Bill Cassidy, bcassidy@olemiss.edu.
Timeline:
- Submission deadline: December 1, 2026
- Acceptance notifications: January 15, 2027
- Final paper deadline, if applicable: February 20, 2027
- Submission link: TBA
The 2027 AEJMC Southeast Colloquium invites submissions for the Great Ideas for Teaching (G.I.F.T.) Competition.
We welcome innovative teaching ideas that can be adapted for journalism, media, communication, advertising, public relations, and related courses. G.I.F.T. submissions may feature class activities, assignments, projects, interventions, instructional strategies, uses of technology, or other pedagogical practices and approaches that enhance student learning.
In keeping with the 2027 Southeast Colloquium theme, Trust, Truth, and Transformation, we especially welcome teaching ideas that help students navigate a rapidly changing media and communication environment. These might address topics such as trust and credibility, misinformation and verification, artificial intelligence, media literacy, polarization, ethics, or changes in journalism and communication practice. Submissions do not need to address the conference theme to be considered.
Accepted G.I.F.T.s will be presented during a panel session at the 2027 AEJMC Southeast Colloquium at the University of Mississippi. Authors of accepted submissions must prepare and present their G.I.F.T.
G.I.F.T. Submission Guidelines
Please provide the following information as part of your submission:
- Name of presenter(s)
- Academic/professional title or status (faculty, graduate student, independent scholar, etc.)
- University or organization and school/department, if applicable
- Email address of the corresponding author
Upload an anonymous PDF with no author-identifying information that includes:
- Title of the G.I.F.T.
- Course(s) or instructional context in which the G.I.F.T. can be used
- Description of the G.I.F.T.: In approximately 150–300 words, describe the activity, assignment, intervention, instructional practice, or pedagogical approach and explain how it works.
- Innovation and significance: Explain what makes the idea innovative, useful, or especially effective for teaching journalism, media, communication, or related subjects.
- Student learning outcomes: Identify what students are expected to know, understand, or be able to do as a result of the activity.
- Assessment and evaluation: Explain how student learning or the effectiveness of the G.I.F.T. is assessed or evaluated.
Authors may also upload supplemental materials, such as assignment instructions, activity sheets, examples, assessment instruments, or grading rubrics, as a separate PDF.
Submission deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
Submission link: TBA
Questions about the G.I.F.T. Competition may be directed to Dr. Rashad Mammadov, mammadov@olemiss.edu.
Travel and Lodging
The University of Mississippi is located in Oxford, Mississippi, a historic college town known for its literary heritage, vibrant public square, independent bookstores, locally owned restaurants, live music, and welcoming Southern hospitality.
Oxford offers an ideal setting for the AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, combining the energy of a university community with the charm of a small city. Visitors can enjoy the Oxford Square, explore cultural and literary landmarks, and experience a community known for its connection to storytelling, journalism, literature, food, music, and the arts.
Hotel blocks have been secured for conference attendees. Additional hotel information, reservation links, room block deadlines, rates, parking details, and travel guidance will be posted soon.
Additional information will be available soon.
About Oxford
Questions? Contact us!
Conference organizers can assist with questions related to registration, submissions, accessibility needs, lodging, local arrangements, and general event information. Additional contact details will be posted as conference planning continues.
Participants are encouraged to check this website regularly for updates about registration, the call for papers, schedule details, hotel blocks, travel guidance, and conference programming.
Dr. Marquita Smith, Southeast Colloquium Director
Smithms@olemiss.edu
662-915-7146