RADIO, PODCAST, & SOUND MEDIA AREA
POPULAR CULTURE AMERICAN CULTURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
MARCH 24-27, 2027, BOSTON
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: OCTOBER 31, 2026
We invite papers and presentations on all aspects of radio and audio media, including but not limited to: radio and audio media history; radio and audio media programs and content (music, drama, talk, news, public affairs, features, interviews, sports, college, religious, ethnic, community, low-power, pirate, etc.); podcasting (news, public affairs, commentary, audio drama, branded content); new audio media (internet radio, streaming audio, etc.); audio social media (Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces, Reddit Talk, etc.); radio literature studies; media representations of radio and audio media; rhetorical research; legal and regulatory policy; economics of radio and audio media; and radio and audio media technology. We welcome U.S., international, or comparative works and media presentations and are catholic regarding method, theory, or approach. Papers or presentations should be planned for no more than fifteen minutes. We encourage you to emphasize audience involvement and elicit stimulating questions and discussion.
Joint Panel with The Sixties Area
This year we are also featuring a joint panel between The Sixties and the Radio, Podcast & Sound Media areas that relate to the conference’s theme: Revolutions & Revisions in Popular Culture. Possible paper topics are wide open, and could include things like: the FM radio revolution in the U.S. (freeform/progressive formats, changes in FCC policies, etc.); significant radio stations, such as WDIA in Memphis, KSAN in San Francisco, etc.; “pirate radio” in the U.K. (Radio Caroline, etc.) and official responses (the creation of BBC1, etc.); the expansion of stereophonic audio in relation to popular music, psychedelic rock, etc.; the influence of/by particular record labels on pop culture and the counterculture (especially independents such as Motown, Vanguard, ESP, etc.); more recent podcasts or other audio media about the 1960s; any of the above in non-U.S./U.K. contexts; and any other related subjects. If you would like your paper submission to be considered for the shared panel(s), please note that on your abstract or via email to the area chair.
Paper or presentation proposals must include an abstract of 300 words and paper or presentation title, and author’s institutional affiliation and email address. We do not accept undergraduate student submissions. Submit your paper or presentation proposal to: https://www.aievolution.com/pcaaca/
The proposal will include an abstract of 300 words and paper or presentation title, institutional affiliation, and email address. In order to submit a paper or presentation proposal your PCA membership must be valid for 2026-2027.
August 1, 2026 – Paper submissions and early registration open
October 31, 2026 – Deadline for submissions
November 15, 2026 – Travel Grant applications due
December 31 – Early registration ends
Address paper or via email to: Matthew Killmeier, PCA/ACA Radio and Audio Media Area Chair, Dept. of Communication and Theatre, Auburn University at Montgomery
Contact Information
Matthew Killmeier, Dept. of Communication & Theatre, Auburn Univ. at Montgomery, 334-244-3950, P.O. Box 244023, Montgomery, AL 36124-4023, USA
Contact Email
mkillmei@aum.edu
URL