[Commlist] PCAACA Game Studies CFP

The Game Studies area of the National Popular Culture Association and 
the American Culture Association Conference invites proposals for papers 
and panels on games and game studies for the Popular Culture 
Association/American Culture Association National Conference to be held 
on April 8-11, 2026, in Atlanta, GA. The deadline for proposals is 
November 30th.

I. Topics of Interest
The organizers seek proposals and papers covering all aspects of gaming, 
gaming culture and game studies. Proposals can address any game medium 
(computer, social, console, tabletop, etc.) and all theoretical and 
methodological approaches are welcome.

Possible topics include but are not limited to:

·       new game mediums and platforms
·       representation or performance of race, class, gender and 
sexuality in games
·       gaming culture, game specific cultures, and multicultural and 
cross-cultural issues
·       game development, design, authorship and other industry issues
·       game advertising, reviews, packaging, promotion, integrated 
marketing and other commercial concerns
·       political and legal entailments such as regulation, censorship, 
intellectual property
·       player-generated content
·       game genres, platforms, consoles, console wars and connections 
to other media
·       serious games for education, business, healthcare, (military) 
training, etc.
·       space and place in games, play spaces, virtual/physical 
communities, mobile gaming and localization
·       digital literacy, discourse practices, social norms and norming, 
the politics of play
·       public discourse/controversy over violence, militarism, sex, 
criminality, racism, etc. in games
·       game pedagogy and classroom practices, gamification, learning as 
play

II. Submission Process
The Game Studies area of the National Popular Culture Association and 
the American Culture Association Conference, which began as the Video 
Games Studies area in 2003, has the most enduring footprint of any North 
American academic organization that gives serious attention to the 
social and cultural impact of games and gaming. The area continues to 
grow and offers two avenues for scholars to participate and present 
their work.

A. Paper Proposals
For individual paper proposal submissions, please submit a 250-word 
(maximum) abstract.
B. Panel Proposals
For panel submissions, please submit a 250-word (maximum) panel 
abstract, as well as 100-word abstracts for each individual 
presentation. Panel proposals must be emailed to the area chairs. Be 
sure to include the proposed title of the panel, the organizer’s name, 
affiliation, mailing address, and email, as well as this information for 
all panelists.

III. Information about the Conference
A. So that there will be ample time for discussion, each individual 
paper presentation should be designed to last approximately twelve to 
fifteen minutes (there will typically be four presentations per session 
with time for Q&A).
B. Technology for use during presentations may be limited. More 
information about the conference can be found at pcaaca.org
C. Presenters will be required to join the Popular Culture Association/ 
American Culture Association prior to attending the conference, as well 
as pay a registration fee for the conference.
D. Awards and Travel Grants are offered, on a competitive basis, by the 
National Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association

IV. New policy regarding Undergraduate Presenters
An undergraduate presenter must have a faculty member as a sponsor.  
This faculty member must also attend the conference, as well as the 
session in which the student presents.  It’s the responsibility of the 
sponsor to help the student prepare by explaining conference etiquette 
(both for presenters and for attendees) and working with the student on 
the presentation.  We encourage students to discuss their ideas with 
their sponsor before submitting a proposal, seek feedback on the draft, 
and, if possible, to rehearse the presentation together.

Our area has a number of members who would be happy to serve as 
sponsors. An undergraduate who wishes to apply but lacks a sponsor may 
reach out to the Area Chairs, and we will attempt to pair the student 
with an appropriate sponsor. Read the PCA Code of Conduct. Also, please 
email the chairs for a required handout that they will need to submit to 
them. Your sponsor will also need to sign.

V. Contact Information
Questions and concerns should be directed to one or all of the area 
chairs listed below. One can also visit our Facebook page or request 
admission to our Discord to discuss possible panel topics or for things 
like organizing room sharing.

Matthew Wysocki, Department of Communication, Flagler College  
(mwysocki /at/ flagler.edu)

Steffi Shook, Communication and Media, Manhattanville College  
(steffi.shook /at/ mville.edu)

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