Hi everyone,

I am co-editing a special issue in the Western Journal of Communication. We have a Call for Abstracts with a submission deadline of October 31, 2026. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Marco

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Special Issue: How Communication Technology Mediates Death, Dying, and Grief

Guest Editors:
Dr. Marco Dehnert, University of Arkansas
Dr. Nicole Costantini, Savannah College of Art and Design

The Western Journal of Communication invites submissions for a special issue, “How Communication Technology Mediates Death, Dying, and Grief.”

This special issue intends to bring together communication scholars across methodological, paradigmatic, and theoretical traditions to engage the primary question: How does communication technology mediate death, dying, and grief in the digital age? Submissions may engage empirical insights, critical inquiries, and analysis of narratives related to death and technology in media and culture. We welcome submissions that capture the diversity of the discipline of communication studies, from across areas, methodologies, and paradigms. Submissions should utilize a communication-centered approach.

Prospective contributors interested in submitting a full manuscript to the special issue should submit an extended abstract of 300 - 500 words by October 31, 2026.

See the full call for abstracts here: https://tinyurl.com/5xpa36hp  

The CfA also includes the submission form.

Anticipated Timeline
Extended abstracts due: October 31, 2026
Decisions and invitations to submit full manuscripts: by November 15, 2026
Full manuscripts due: April 15, 2027


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Marco Dehnert, Ph.D. (he/him)
Assistant Professor of Communication and Technology
Director, AI and Robots for Connection (ARC) Lab
Department of Communication
University of Arkansas
280 N McIlroy Ave | Kimpel Hall 523 | Fayetteville, AR 72701 
mdehnert@uark.edu | marcodehnert.com