New Member Guide
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Founded in 1912, AEJMC is an international nonprofit association of roughly 4,000 journalism and mass communication faculty, students and administrators as well as a few professionals. Our members come from more than 60 countries, with the majority working in the United States and Canada. We exist to promote the highest possible standards for education in journalism and mass communication in an effort to achieve better professional practice, a better informed public and wider human understanding.AEJMC offers members the opportunity to affiliate with 18 divisions, 10 special interest groups and 2 commissions. These groups address a variety of interests in journalism and mass communication education, and feature newsletters, research competitions and conference programming in their respective areas.
Volunteering in an AEJMC division, interest group, commission, or on an appointed committee is the best way to network and build friendships in the association. In the March edition of the association newsletter, AEJMC News, the incoming president asks for committee volunteers. Many times the number of aspiring volunteers may outnumber open positions in office, but members are encouraged to volunteer with the association.
About the Annual Conference
AEJMC conducts an annual four-day conference in August. The conference features panels and workshops on teaching, research and public service in the various components of journalism and mass communication – from advertising and public relations to radio-television journalism to political communication, online journalism and science and health communication. Read the 2012 Conference Call for Papers. Members are encouraged to submit research papers on current topics.Finding Your Way Around the Conference
There are several ways to “get to know” the annual conference. First, make sure you attend the New Members Breakfast. The New Members Breakfast offers a great opportunity to meet and talk with the leaders of the various divisions, interest groups and commissions. Second, take time to read through the conference program to learn about the location of all of the planned events, including panels, workshops, the on-site placement service and exhibits. Third, you should ask any AEJMC staff member for help with a conference-related issue or with an association question.Arranging a Panel at an AEJMC Conference
We’re always looking for great panel ideas for the upcoming conference, so start thinking about topics for next year. Panel proposals should be submitted to the Head, Vice-head or Program Chair of a division, interest group or commission by mid-October of each year. These groups form the Council of Divisions, which is the conference-programming arm of AEJMC.Panel proposal submission is a competitive process. Topics should “fit” the group that they are being submitted to. The stronger your panel proposal, the better chance it has to be picked up. It also helps if the topic will appeal to more than one division, interest group or commission. The names of the programming officers are listed on the AEJMC web site (See “Groups” under the “About” menu).
Submitting a Manuscript to AEJMC Journals
AEJMC publishes three scholarly journals:- Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly
- Journalism & Mass Communication Educator
- Journalism & Communication Monographs
Manuscript submission guidelines for all three journals are available online at aejmc.org under the “Publications” menu.
