Group Processes 2013: Call for papers and participation

Twenty Fifth Anniversary Conference on Group Processes

We are planning an exciting program for the Twenty Fifth Anniversary Group Processes Conference in New York August 9.  The event, which immediately precedes ASA 2013, will take place either in the ASA conference space or in an alternative venue in the Chelsea neighborhood depending on availability.  

The conference will celebrate the accomplishments of researchers of group processes over the last 25 years while looking forward to exciting new developments in the field.  The special focus of the conference is on bridging between the research traditions of group processes and the growing area of research in social media and systems of computer mediated interaction.

Scholars in several major areas of research in groups processes will set the stage in the morning program:  

• Morris Zelditch;  Review of progress in group processes research
• Linda Molm; Social exchange
• Joseph Berger; Expectation states theory
• Dawn Robinson and Neil MacKinnon; Affect control theory
• Ed Lawler and Shane Thye; Rational choice and cohesion
• Peter Burke and Jan Stets; Identity theory
• David Willer; Elementary theory and network structure

The afternoon program will focus on building new research opportunities in theories of group processes, especially utilizing data from social media and computer mediated interaction.  Participants with backgrounds in social networks, group processes, rational choice, computer mediated interaction, information science, and related areas are invited to participate through a series of presentations, roundtables and panel discussions. We solicit three types of papers:

• Current research in group processes: are research papers that build from research programs in groups processes that have provided so much vitality and direction over the past twenty five years.  We would like authors to consider both new theoretical and methodological avenues for advancing our understanding of how individual and group processes affect human behavior.
• New opportunities:  are concept papers on opportunities for research synergy at the intersection of group processes and social media.  These short, 1500-2000 word, papers will be discussed in round table sessions and will, upon revision and extension be candidates for a competitive peer reviewed special issue or edited book.  
• Graduate student research reports:  are short papers that describe current graduate student work.  These reports can include solo as well as collaborative work, but should highlight the contributions of graduate student researchers. Work testing theories of group processes, studying dynamics in social media, and work that bridges these areas are all welcome.

Deadline extended to Monday April 29th, 2013.
Deadline for paper submissions is Wednesday April 3rd, 2013.
Send all papers to Robert Shelly shelly at ohio.edu

We encourage participation from members of the group processes community, sociologists in related areas of research attending ASA, and especially researchers and professionals working in the areas of social media and online community.  Please share this invitation with interested scholars and check the 25th Anniversary Blog for updates.   Contact Bob Shelly or Ted Welser with questions or suggestions. (shelly at ohio.edu; welser at ohio.edu)