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The PCA Documentary Award honors an outstanding documentary that critically engages with themes in Popular or American culture. #PCA #Documentary #PopularCulture #AmericanCulture

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Queer stories shape culture and so does the research behind them. The John Leo & Dana Heller Award honors scholarship that elevates LGBTQ representation in popular culture published in the past 3 years. #RepresentationMatters #QueerStudies

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Honoring the legacy of Harry & Katrina Hazzard-Donald, this award recognizes groundbreaking scholarship that deepens our understanding of African American popular culture in its richness, complexity, and impact within books published in the past year.

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What’s Popping: May is out! Conference highlights, award updates, calls for reviewers/submissions, and June events you don’t want to miss. Check your inbox.

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Celebrating Susan Koppelman’s legacy by spotlighting bold feminist work in popular culture, published within the past three years. #PCAACA #FeministScholarship #PopCulture

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Ray & Pat Browne Award honors the best edited reference/primary-source works in popular culture studies. Eligible:published in popular culture studies published in the past 3 years.. #PCAACA #PrimarySources #ArchivalResearch

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Celebrating the winner of the John G. Cawelti Award—our annual honor for innovative scholarship in Popular and American Culture: Christine McWhorter’s “Building Critical Race Media Literacy: Countering the Narrative” (Routledge).

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Wondering what you could do with that PCA/ACA paper you presented in April? Join us for May’s Membership Matters where we will discuss dissertation/thesis incorporation, publishing opportunities, and other ways to build a future for your conference paper. Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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Congratulations to Brenda Boudreau and Kelli Maloy—winners of this year’s award honoring Ray and Pat Browne edited or co-edited scholarly books (hardcover or paperbound). The award recognizes collections with more than one or two contributors, published within the past year.

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Congratulations to this year's winner, Amy Erdman Farrell! This award honors rigorous, original work that moves popular + American studies forward. Selected for research quality, originality, and field impact.

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Keep the momentum going and present at a PCA regional conference. Click the link here to find out more: pcaaca.org/page/Regiona...

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Survey extended to April 24. Tell us what you loved and what we can improve; your feedback shapes future PCA conferences. Click the link here: app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019d7... #PCA2026 #PCAConference #PCASurvey #PCACommunity

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Final panels and Town Hall bring the week into focus. A week of conversations that sparked ideas, sessions that pushed us forward, game nights that brought us together, and outings that turned colleagues into community. We’re excited to see you at the 2027 Annual Conference in Boston.

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If publishing is on your radar, don’t skip these at the 2026 Annual Conference. From getting your work published to connecting with editors and peers, these sessions are built to move your ideas forward.

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PCA 2026 is live. Panels are open, and the rubber ducks are already in circulation. Check the schedule, find your people, and get into the work.

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Presenting, networking, exploring Atlanta, however you're experiencing PCA 2026, we want to see it. Tag or mention us in your photos and you might be featured on our page. Let’s showcase the energy of this year’s Annual together!

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You’re presenting. Now let’s make it count. At the 2026 Annual Conference, PCA-sponsored sessions bring the community together from the Opening Ceremony and keynotes to celebrations of scholarship and the Town Hall. This is where ideas are shared, questions are asked.

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Students: whether you're attending your first conference or coming back to reconnect, this mixer is for you. Hosted by the Student Engagement Committee, this is your space to meet new people, build connections, and enjoy the community. See you Thursday night!

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Spots are limited, but we’ll add more sessions if demand grows. Sign up through our scheduling calendar below. If you don’t see a time that works, email amanda@pcaaca.org and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. 📅 Reserve your session: calendar.app.google/SE8c3KzrrZza...

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The PCA Townhall is where your voice matters. Live at the Annual Conference, this is your chance to ask the questions that matter, share your ideas, and engage directly with PCA leadership. Don’t miss this opportunity to be heard and make an impact. Don’t miss the chance to be heard and shape PCA.

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Following a full day of conference programming, the Welcome Reception & Awards Ceremony provides a space to hear from leadership, celebrate excellence, and connect with colleagues with food and refreshments at the end.

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PCA is pleased to welcome Dr. Amy Hale as a featured speaker on Friday, April 10. Her talk, “Understanding This Golden Age of Magic,” is made possible by funding from the PCA Endowment.

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From the screen to the stage to the rink—pop culture is busy. What moment are you most into right now?

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Feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward? This session will help you tap into your creativity, strengthen your work, and build a more balanced approach to your projects and daily life. Discover new ways to think, create, and reconnect with your ideas. Join us Friday, April 10, 2026, at 3:30 PM.

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Professional communities thrive when people feel recognized, safe, and able to stay in the room. Small habits signal care and collegiality. What practice helps you feel most welcomed at academic events?

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Step away from the sessions and experience one of Atlanta’s must-see attractions with fellow PCA attendees. Join us for a special outing to the Georgia Aquarium-home to whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean and one of the aquarium’s most unforgettable sights. Reg. details coming soon.

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Thank you for your patience while the website issue was resolved. Voting remains open so that every member could participate in electing PCA’s next leadership. Review the candidate materials and cast your ballot here: pcaaca.org/page/2026PCA...

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What makes a cultural icon endure? Join Rhonda V. Wilcox and Georges Jeanty at the 2026 Annual Conference for a roundtable on the lasting impact of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and why the series continues to shape popular culture more than 20 years after its final episode. 🧛‍♀️📚

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Preparing for your PCA 2026 presentation? March’s Membership Matters explains how much time you really have, what that means in page numbers, and shares practical tips from experienced presenters. pcaaca.site-ym.com/events/Event...

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PCA elections close at midnight. This is your last chance to help choose the organization’s future leadership. Read the candidates’ plans and make your voice count. Log in and vote now.

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Only 3 days left to vote. Your voice matters in shaping PCA’s leadership — Vice President of Finance and three Trustee-at-Large positions are on the ballot. Members, check your inbox for voting instructions and make it count.

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Access shapes who can fully participate in scholarly exchange. Small presentation choices make a measurable difference in inclusion. What accessibility practice has most improved your conference experience?

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We’re taking PCA beyond the conference walls. Join fellow attendees as we explore one of Atlanta’s most iconic experiences — the World of Coca-Cola. It’s the perfect chance to connect, unwind, and see a different side of the city together. Registration details coming soon.

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Future you will be glad you booked the hotel early. (7 days until the PCA room block closes.)

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Great conference papers often feel intentionally unfinished. Leaving space invites others into the thinking process, and that is where collaboration starts. What is one thing you leave out to spark discussion?

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Awards aren’t just about recognition—they’re about shared values in scholarship.

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It’s your turn to lead by voting. Ballots are open for VP of Finance and three Trustee positions now through March 8. Have you voted yet?

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Sometimes the best conversations arrive quietly—in your inbox.

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Clear openings are an act of generosity. When listeners know where you are headed, they can think with you instead of scrambling to catch up. What is the clearest way you state your claim at the start?

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There’s something grounding about a room full of books that started as conference papers.

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Have a presentation worth sharing? There are 48 hours left to register as a presenter for the 2026 Annual Conference. Bring your research, insights, and perspectives to a community that values thoughtful scholarship. Register before the deadline closes.

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Practicing with a timer before you arrive makes a real difference. Reading aloud often takes longer than expected. How do you test your timing before presenting at a conference?

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William M. Jones Award: applications open. Deadline February 20. A completed paper (PDF) is required and due 2 weeks before the conference; applications aren’t complete without it. Upload all materials as PDFs via the application portal. Questions: JAC.awards@pcaaca.org

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Graduate students with accepted PCA papers on popular culture may apply. Submit via The Journal of Popular Culture’s online system (include “Brigman Submission” in the title). Winner presents at the conference and is invited to pursue publication.

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Strong conference presentations start with strong sources. Join PCA for a professional development session on using primary materials to enhance clarity, rigor, and impact in conference presentations. 📅 Friday, February 13 | 12–1 PM EST 🔗 pcaaca.org/events/Event...

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Your voice belongs at the table. Nominations are now open for the 2026 Pop Culture Association Governing Board, including: • Vice President for Finance • Board Trustee (3 open positions) 📩 Nomination instructions have been sent to all PCA members via email.

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Late registration is open for PCA 2026. A reminder that there is a scholarly community for people who take popular culture seriously.

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⏰ Two days to go. Regular registration for the 2026 PCA/ACA Conference closes January 31—after that, prices increase. It's time to secure your spot, lock in the lower rate, and get ready for Atlanta in April. Register today and join us for four days of scholarship, conversation, and connection.

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What popular culture moments feel most significant right now? We’d love to know what’s capturing your scholarly and personal attention.

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Popular Culture Association