Annual Conference

 

The 2025 Northeast Popular Culture Association (NEPCA) will host its annual conference this fall as a virtual conference from Thursday, October 9th, to Saturday, October 11th, 2025.

 

Virtual sessions will take place via Zoom throughout the day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Registration will open up in mid-July.

 

We are looking forward to another engaging and rewarding conference for new and seasoned members alike. We are seeking proposals for panels and presentations for this year’s conference.

 

NEPCA prides itself on holding conferences that emphasize sharing ideas in a non-competitive and supportive environment. We welcome proposals from graduate students, independent scholars, disciplinary professionals, junior faculty, and senior scholars. NEPCA conferences offer intimate and nurturing sessions in which new ideas and works-in-progress can be aired, as well as completed projects.

 

Details for Your Submission

Before you begin the submission process, it might be useful to gather all the details for your proposal. It’s recommended to put them together into a document so that if something happens with your submission (internet error or connection issue), you still have all the details.

 

• Name

• Email

• Academic Affiliation

• Brief academic bio (75 words or less)

• What is your level of experience with NEPCA?

• Are there any accommodations that would make the conference more accessible to you?

• Time Zone

• Proposal Type:

  • Single Paper Presentation: One or two people are presenting a single paper. They will be placed on a panel with 2-3 other people and each paper will have 15-20 minutes to present depending if there are 3 or 4 papers being presented.

  • Full panel presentation: Three to four people are each presenting their own paper, however the papers are thematically connected. Each presenter will have 15-20 minutes to present depending if there are 3 or 4 papers being presented.

  • Roundtable Discussion: A modality that identifies a specific and detailed focus for the session and brings in 4-6 people who will actively engage in the conversation.

• Working Title

• Abstract

  • Single Paper Presentations: 250 words or less

  • Full Panel Proposals: Each abstract for each presenter should be 250 words or less

  • Roundtable Discussion: Abstract should be 200-400 words.

 

Submissions are open until Monday, July 15th by 5pm EST.

 

Notes about the process:

1. After you submit your proposal, you should receive an email confirmation of your submission within 24 hours.

2. Within 3 weeks, you should also be notified if your proposal is accepted.

3. NEPCA honors a submission practice where if your first submission was declined prior to the CFP deadline, then you are welcome to re-submit a revised proposal or submit to a different area.

4. NEPCA will only take 1 submission at a time, and presenters can only present at 1 panel per conference.

5. If your proposal is accepted, you will need to register for the conference in order to present by no later than Friday, September 15, by 11:59pm ET.

6. In mid-July more information will be posted that offers scholarships and access to people that may find the registration fee as a barrier.

7. If you have any questions about the conference, please reach out to Lance Eaton, the Executive Secretary (northeastpopculture@gmail.com). 

​

Registration 

 

Registration will open in mid-July. 

 

1. All presenters must register by Sunday, September 15, by 11:59pm EST to maintain their spot in the conference. Presenters not registered by that time (and who have not reached out to us) will be removed from the program.

2. We recognize that while this makes the conference more accessible in terms of cost, it still may be prohibitive to some. We will be providing opportunities for presenters to access the conference for free or discounted rates as may be warranted. Please keep an eye out in the communications from NECPA about these opportunities. 

​

Is This Your 1st Time Submitting a Proposal for a Conference?

 

That's great! We're glad to have you. The first thing to consider is if you have a topic of research that is relevant to NEPCA. The answer is almost always "yes!" but the submission process is there to help make sure you are clear about how your work intersects with popular culture. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Check out our Conference Areas: Look at our different areas and determine where your topic makes most sense. You may find 2-3 areas that intersect and that's normal. Choose the one that makes most sense for your area.

2. Review the conference guidelines: Carefully read and follow the submission requirements specified on the conference page. This may include word limits, formatting, and deadlines.

3. Write a clear and concise abstract: It doesn't have to be perfect but it should capture clearly the gist of your argument and the relevant popular culture involved.

4. Highlight the area that you’re submitting to: Demonstrate how your work connects with the area that you have chosen.

5. Revise and proofread: Double-check your proposal for spelling, grammar, and clarity. We're not sticklers for these things, but they can help further clarify your points.

6. When in doubt, ask! If the question is about the area, reach out to the area chair. Introduce yourself and your interest in the area; then identify the question you have. If the question is about the conference as a whole, then reach out to Lance Eaton (northeastpopculture@gmail.com).