Hello,
I’m writing on behalf of the Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric (RhetCanada)<https://rhetcanada.org/> to invite submissions for our annual conference (26-30th May, 2026) which will be of interest to scholars and students in the fields of rhetoric, composition, writing, communication, and English (among others!).
Our conference theme, “Rhetoric, Writing, and Discourse Today: Do Modern Problems Demand Modern Innovations?” asks:
* If a crisis, predicament, or object feels unprecedented, does it demand a new approach?
* When might classical rhetorical principles—those ancient innovations—speak to the communicative challenges of the present?
* And, conversely, when do contemporary developments prompt or demand new understandings—or reinventions—of rhetorical theory and practice?
Although we warmly welcome all papers within our traditional research areas, this theme invites us to consider the dynamic interplays and tensions between rhetorical traditions and the demands of modern life, culture, society, and technology.
>>> Proposals are due by 19th January, 2026. Interested scholars may submit a 300-word abstract here: https://event.fourwaves.com/rwdt/pages
We are excited to be holding our conference in conjunction with the Canadian Association for the Study of Discourse and Writing/Association canadienne de redactologie,<https://casdw-acr.ca/> and the Rhetoricon project<https://rhetoricon.uwaterloo.ca/>. Registrants will be welcome to attend all sessions of the joint conference.
Why Attend?
* Join our unique, first-ever collaboration between RhetCanada and CASDW/ACR, designed to cross-pollinate between our disciplines and intermingle talented researchers.
* Attend special panels organized on pressing topics such as Generative AI, decolonization, crisis communication, countering misinformation, and more.
* Have your submission considered for publication in special journal issues published by Rhetor and DW/R.
* We are accessible and affordable: full access to all four days of events will cost $180 for fully-employed registrants, with lower fees for students and precariously-employed or retired registrants, and no-cost registration for BIPOC attendees.
* Enjoy large, collegial audiences, networking opportunities, and two conferences (plus jointly-organized events) for the price of one!
Submission Details
* Short abstracts (300 words) should be submitted through the online portal by 19th January, 2026, for consideration.
* See the complete CFP and details here<https://event.fourwaves.com/rwdt/pages/46560397-f42c-414d-8f0a-09ba3fef47c8>.
RhetCanada is a warm and welcoming association, and a great place to meet other folks working at the intersection of rhetoric and many other fields (literature, medicine, law, pop culture, AI, etc.). We look forward to receiving your proposals!
All the best,
Shannon
Shannon Lodoen, Ph.D. (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Rhetoric & Composition
Department of Humanities and Communications
Vice-President
Canadian Society for the Study of Rhetoric (RhetCanada)
Newsletter Editor-in-Chief
IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology
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