New Affiliate Journal Initiative Developed for International Communication Association (ICA)
by Cynthia Stohl, Immediate Past President, University of California – Santa Barbara
(from ICA Newsletter for May 2014)
ICA has just announced the inaugural call for applications for ICA Affiliate Journal status. In January, 2014 the ICA Board established a new journal category, “Affiliate Journal.” An affiliate journal is published independently of ICA, in a language other than English, and meets or exceeds the general standards of an ICA journal and the specific standards developed for affiliate journals. Once approved by the ICA board, the affiliate journal will carry the ICA imprimatur and will be designated as such on the ICA website. An affiliate journal will be available to ICA members on line for free or at a discount.
The procedures and guidelines for this Affiliate Journal initiative will be operative for a trial period of three years. A maximum of two journals will be selected for this initial phase. For the first 2 years journal editors of the affiliate journals will provide the ICA Board with an annual report submitted one month before the annual meeting. During the third year a comprehensive formal review will be conducted by a specially appointed affiliate journal evaluation committee comprised of members of ICA’s Executive Committee and at least one appointed member from both the ICA board and the publication Committee. At that time the entire program will be evaluated, long term procedures for continued assessment and evaluation will be established, and decisions will be made regarding continuing affiliate status for the journal.
Rationale
The Affiliate Journal initiative serves several of the internationalization goals articulated by the EC and the ICA Board. Affiliate journals build bridges with the international communication community, connect our membership with research published in non- English high quality journals, help publicize the finest communication research done throughout the world, and give our members access to new and diverse audiences.
To be accepted as an affiliate journal, the editorial management must agree to publish extended abstracts of each article in every issue in English. Other efforts to share research not typically published in English are encouraged. An affiliate journal might for example, invite English language reviews of literature of research in a particular area that has not been readily accessible to most members of ICA. Efforts to enable ICA members to share their work with colleagues working in other languages are also highly desirable. Affiliate journals may, for example, publish interviews (both in English and the official language of the journal) with scholars who typically publish in a language other than the official language of the journal. On line or in print for free or at a discount, English language extended abstracts will be available for free online.
Application Procedures
Criteria for selection and the application form can be found here. If you have any questions please contact Cynthia Stohl, Chair, Affiliate Journal Committee at or Michael Haley, ICA Executive Director.
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