TO THE PCA/ACA MEMBERSHIP

          National Conference: Boston is a wonderful place to hold a conference, especially in April when spring is upon us.  We're expecting more than 2,500 participants.  To facilitate a conference of this size, please use the electronic form for proposing papers, panels, roundtables, area meetings, and other types of gatherings.  The system will take its information from the electronic form that you fill out to make up the final program. This will hopefully eliminate any missteps or misspellings.  Those proposing other types of meetings from roundtables to whole panels may use the same proposal sheet.  It should be available by September 30th.  The deadline for proposals is December 15th.

          Because of the number of presenters, we are asking you to fill out an on-line proposal sheet.  These should be available at the end of September.  The sheet will use what you put in to make up the final program, and hopefully eliminate any missteps or misspellings.  Those proposing other types of meetings from roundtables to whole panels may use the same proposal sheet. 

          International Popular Culture: In the last few years, popular culture has gone global.  The full listing of international conferences can be found on this website by clicking here.

          Journals: The number of journals specializing in popular culture is increasing.  The Association's flagship journals, the Journal of Popular Culture and the Journal of American Culture, continue to be at the forefront of scholarship, but the various regional organizations also offer publication venues.  The Northeast PCA/ACA, PCA/ACA in the South, Mid-Atlantic PCA/ACA, and Far West PCA/ACA all have journals.  The international popular culture organizations have followed suit.  Both the Australasian Journal of Popular Culture and the European Journal of American Culture have already started publication.  A journal for the Popular Culture Association of Canada is planned.  Moreover, Intellect Press has a number of specialized journals that are likely to be of interest to scholars of popular culture.

          Endowment:  The PCA/ACA Endowment continues to operate very well.  Through prudent investments we have generally maintained our fund balance despite turbulence in the financial markets.  While we have not been able to increase awards, we will maintain our previous level of dispersal.

          New Officers:  As in previous years, we will have to select new officers for the Board and other positions.  If you are interested yourself or wish to nominate someone, please let me know at sperling@denison.edu.

          The Future:  The future looks bright as our organization grows both domestically and internationally.  Popular Culture studies is becoming increasingly important as more and more college classes deal with popular culture and publication opportunities continue to grow.

          Comments or Questions:  If you have any comments or suggestions about PCA/ACA, please do not hesitate to contact me at sperling@denison.edu.

          Sincerely,

          Joy Sperling
          Professor, Denison University