| The Official Newsletter for the Media Ecology Association |
  |
| August 2025 Dear MEA Community,As summer draws to a close, we look ahead to a new academic year and new opportunities for collaboration across the MEA community. This month’s newsletter includes the official call for submissions to the 2026 ECA convention in Pittsburgh, a reminder to submit nominations for the MEA Executive Board, and an update on the September Book Club meeting. As always, we thank you for your continued engagement and look forward to the conversations ahead.–Tiffany Petricini |
MEA at ECA Call for Submissions The Media Ecology Association invites submissions to its affiliate-sponsored panel(s) at the 117th Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association. The convention theme, “Emergence,” calls for reflection on new perspectives, cultural trends, and transformative communication practices.Media ecology is particularly well-positioned to contribute to this conversation. As Lance Strate writes in Media Ecology: An Approach to Understanding the Human Condition, “Contemporary systems concepts such as complexity and emergence […] hold particular significance for understanding media effects.” Submissions related to media ecology and the theme of emergence are especially encouraged.Submissions may include completed papers, panel proposals, or roundtable discussions. Please watch social media announcements and next months All submissions must include the ECA Statement of Professional Responsibility, and the deadline is October 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.Questions about MEA submissions may be directed to: Ryan McCullough, Ph.D. West Liberty University rmccullough@westliberty.eduWe are deeply grateful to all contributors and judges — and we invite your participation for the year ahead. |
| Call for Nominations: 2026 MEA AwardsDo you know a book, article, creative project, or individual that deserves recognition? The 2026 MEA Awards are now open for nominations in a wide range of categories, including scholarship, fiction, activism, education, journalism, and praxis.Deadline: November 1, 2025 Submit nominations to: strate@fordham.edu Visit the MEA website for details and a full list of award categories. |
| Call for Executive Board NominationsLooking to get more involved in MEA leadership? We are now accepting nominations for four open positions on the Executive Board:Vice President Elect (4-year leadership trajectory)Recording Secretary (1-year term)Newsletter Editor (1-year term)Member-at-Large (3-year term)Nomination deadline: September 15, 2025 Send nominations or self-nominations to: robertalbrecht15@yahoo.com Nominees will be asked to submit a short statement (100–150 words) for the ballot. Voting will take place in October, with results announced by the end of the month.All members are welcome to apply. |
| MEA Book Club: August and September Media Ecology Book ClubMEA Book Club – September UpdateThank you to all who participated in the MEA Book Club kickoff in July. Please note that our September meeting will not be held on the first Monday, as that date falls on Labor Day. Instead, we will meet on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET.This month’s book selection is: Casey Man Kong Lum (ed.), Perspectives on Culture, Technology and Communication: The Media Ecology Tradition (2006) It is an edited anthology featuring contributions by Neil Postman, Christine Nystrom, Clifford Christians, Paul Heyer, Bruce Gronbeck, Lance Strate, Thom Gencarelli, James Morrison, and others. The volume explores the ideas of McLuhan, Ong, Ellul, Mumford, Innis, Carey, Whorf, Langer, and more.Meeting Date and Time: September 8, 2025 | 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET Please RSVP using the Registration Link to receive the Zoom link. You can purchase the book on the Hampton Press Website. MEA Book Club – August ReminderThere’s still time to join us for the August MEA Book Club meeting. Date: Monday, August 4, 2025 Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET / 4:00–5:00 p.m. PT Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)RSVP link: Media Ecology Association – Media Ecology Book ClubAll are welcome, whether you’ve finished the book or are just starting out. Join us for thoughtful conversation grounded in media ecology. Questions or title suggestions may be sent to Tiffany Petricini at: tzr106@psu.eduWe look forward to reading with you. |
| More Ways to Get Involved with MEAAre you looking for opportunities to engage with the Media Ecology Association beyond the convention? Here are some exciting ways to participate:Virtual Coffee Meetings Do you have questions about media ecology, need advice on a study, or want to invite an expert to speak in your class? Schedule a virtual coffee meeting with an MEA scholar! To arrange a meeting, visit our websiteIf you’re an experienced media ecologist interested in volunteering for these meetings, we’d love to hear from you!Book Reviewers Wanted Have you read a great book related to media ecology? Consider writing a review for Explorations in Media Ecology! For more details and a format template, contact jbogaczyk@gmail.com.Join the Listserv Stay connected with the MEA community by joining the discussion group. The discussion group is open to all for sharing views, exchanging information, and learning about events related to media ecology.Follow MEA on Social Media Connect with us on social media to stay updated on news, events, and discussions. Follow us on Facebook and X to join the conversation! |
Blog de Octavio Islas 