Dear Colleagues:
On behalf of the conference planning committee and Boise State University, we look forward to welcoming you to Boise, Idaho for the annual meeting of the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) on October 9-10, 2026.
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFO
PROPOSAL DEADLINE
Proposals are due Monday, April 27, 2026.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS
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All proposals should be submitted via the proposal website. The link is provided below:
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Accepted proposals will be included in the conference proceedings.
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Please use APA style for references and in-text citations.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
2026 CPTSC Annual Meeting
Founded in 1974, the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) supports faculty, administrators, and researchers of technical, professional, and scientific communication.
Our mission is to advance the study and teaching of technical, professional, and scientific communication across the globe.
The 2026 CPTSC Conference invites you to consider any of following areas or related areas of focus:
Empowering Academic Communities for the Evolution of Professional Communication
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Determining the core competencies and skills necessary for the next generation of communicators and establishing methods for faculty and students to integrate these high-level proficiencies into their professional practice.
Advancing Curricula Through Emerging Digital Frameworks
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Exploring the ways communication programs can adapt to modern digital ecosystems, specifically by integrating agentic AI workflows alongside advanced data visualization and immersive media to ensure graduates are prepared for technology-driven environments.
Fostering Collaboration Among Science, Engineering, and Communication Experts
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Investigating the collaborative dynamics between technical experts and communication specialists, with an emphasis on creating cohesive knowledge-sharing practices that bridge the gap between complex research and stakeholder application.
Prioritizing Human- and User- Centered Experiences in Technical Information Design
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Evaluating the impact of user-centered information architecture and accessibility-first design, focusing on how intuitive content structures improve the quality of human interaction with complex systems.
Advancing Ethics, Social Justice, and Public Advocacy
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Developing communication strategies for a globalized world that challenge systemic inequalities and prioritize proactive public engagement, emphasizing civic responsibility to provide transparent, accessible, and community-focused information.
PROPOSAL FORMATS
Proposals are invited for the following types of presentations at the conference:
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Individual Presentations
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Panel Presentations
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Workshops
Individuals may present in only ONE individual or panel presentation.
Workshop hosts may present in one additional panel presentation.
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS
Individual presentations are 5–7 minutes per individual presenter and should be designed to promote discussion during the second half of the session. Submit a proposal of no more than 250 words (not including references) of the proposed presentation.
PANEL PRESENTATIONS
Panel presentations are 50 minutes and should include contributions from 3–5 individuals. Panels should be designed to promote discussion during the second half of the session. Submit a two-part proposal of no more than a total of 500 words (not including references. The proposal should consist of:
1. A 150-200-word overview framing the focus of the panel in the context of the conference theme.
2. A 300–350-word summary of the topics each presenter will address within the context of the panel.
WORKSHOPS
Workshops are 75 minutes. Workshops should be interactive and focus on a professional development need related to TCP programs and curriculum.
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A proposal of no more than 800 words (not including citations) should consist of:
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A 200-300-word overview framing the focus of the workshop that includes a description of the audience for the workshop (new or potential technical communication program administrators, experienced administrators, early-career and graduate students, mid-career administrators, faculty, etc.).
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A 300–500-word summary of the topic and activities the workshop will address.
PROPOSAL REVIEW CRITERIA
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Demonstrates a strong connection between the proposed presentation and the organization’s mission.
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Presents an original or innovative approach, perspective, theory, or idea that would be of interest to CPTSC members.
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Raises interesting issues or questions to stimulate discussion or notes what attendees can “take away” from the presentation to use within the context of their own organizations or programs.
Please include all references using APA style. References (bibliography) do not count toward word limit (in-text citations do count toward word limit).
2026 Conference Co-Chairs
- Christopher Morris, Fashion Institute of Technology, christopher.jh.morris
- Meghalee Das, James Madison University, dasmx
- Krista Speicher Sarraf, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, ksarraf