LSC faculty researchers and graduate students presented six novel research studies at the 2014 Convention of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Seattle, Washington, May 22-26. The graduate students included Sara Yeo, Nan Li, and Jiyoun Kim who were awarded Vilas Conference Presentation travel funds by UW-Madison Graduate School to attend the conference. Yeo also received a travel award from ICA.
“Presenting research at ICA was a great honor and a tremendous opportunity to converse with other researchers,” says LSC Ph.D. student Xuan Liang. “I learned a lot not only from discussing LSC research findings, but also by listening and by asking questions in many sessions. And it was great to meet alumni!” (see picture)
ICA is one of the most prestigious and important conferences in the communication field, with more than 4,800 members in 77 countries. Since 2003, ICA has been officially associated with the United Nations as a non-governmental association (NGO). The annual convention event attracts researchers and scholars from around the globe. Every year, ICA receives more than 3,000 papers from scholars who hope to present their research during the conference. Though the number of submissions is high, the acceptance rate of the ICA is relatively low, with each paper going through thorough peer-review.
According to LSC Chair Dominique Brossard, participation in major communication conferences is a must for graduate students.
“Students get exposed to novel research while networking with professors and students from a large number of top tier universities. And we get to reconnect with our alumni, which is always a treat,” says Brossard.
Here is a list of our researchers and the topics they presented:
- Akin, H., Yeo, S. K., Scheufele, D. A., Brossard, D., & Xenos, M. A. (2014, May). The spillover heuristic? How the GMO labeling debate affects information processing of nanotechnology.
- Cacciatore, M. A., Scheufele, D. A., Brossard, D., & Xenos, M. A. (May, 2014). Nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and nuclear power: Understanding the social media discourse of science issues.
- Hopke, J. E. (2014, May). Unconventionals and the new natural resource movements: An exploration of network structure and tie content.
- Kim, J., Runge, K.K., Xenos, M.A., Brossard, D., & Scheufele, D. A. (2014, May). Engaging readers: What makes readers actively seek more information during controversial message processing.
- Li, N., Su, L. Y.-F., Liang, X., Brossard, D., & Scheufele, D. A. (May, 2014). Policy decision-making, public involvement and nuclear energy: What do expert stakeholders think and why?
- Yeo, S. K., Xenos, M. A., Brossard, D., & Scheufele, D. A. (2014, May). Contextual cues, selective exposure, and information utility.