Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

Conference Organizer:  

Dr. Lingfei Luan, Assistant Professor of Psychological Science, College of Sciences and Mathematics, Belmont University

Co-organizer: Jay New, Assistant Professor of Motion Picture Production, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business

Deadline for proposals: December 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC-12, Anywhere on Earth)

The Society for Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image (SCSMI) invites proposals for its annual conference to be held June 2, 2027 – June 5, 2027. SCSMI is an interdisciplinary organization of scholars interested in cognitive, philosophical, aesthetic, historical, psychological, neuroscientific, and evolutionary approaches to the analysis of film and other moving image media. Presentations facilitate the Society’s mission: to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue between moving image theorists, historians, critics, and philosophers, and scientifically-oriented researchers working on moving image media.

Types of Proposals 

Presenters must present original work that they have not presented elsewhere in one of the following five formats:

• Long Paper Presentation: A 50-minute session divided between a 25-minute presentation and a 25-minute Q&A. This format is suited to well-developed projects presenting conceptually complex ideas or extensive research data.
• Short Paper Presentation: A 25-minute session divided between a presentation of 15 minutes or less with the residual time used for discussion. This format is suited to works in progress or research that may be presented more succinctly.
• Remote Short Paper Presentation: (a limited number will be accepted; requests will be assessed based on need) A 25-minute session divided between an on-line presentation of 15 minutes or less with the residual time used for discussion between the remote presenter and in-person attendees. This format is for those who wish to present at the conference but cannot attend in person. Applicants must provide a short paragraph explaining their reason for requesting a remote presentation in the designated field on the submission form. Remote presenters must register and pay the conference registration fee and must be members of the Society.
• Poster Presentation or Demonstration: Any form of research display or demonstration, which may present empirical research, scholarship organized around a single question or thesis, short movies, essay films, or interactive installations. Posters and demonstrations will be presented and discussed in a dedicated session during a conference reception.
• Author-Meets-Critics Panel: (no more than two will be accepted) A pre-constituted panel focusing on outstanding publications of interest to the Society. Anyone can propose an AMC panel on another’s work, but the author of the work must not be the proposer of the panel, and the proposer should seek the author’s consent. Only works published 18 months before the conference, or 6 months following it, will be considered for such panels.

Those who indicate on the submission form that they are willing to present in either a long– or short-paper format will be notified of the format following the review process.

Submission Materials and Requirements for Presenters

Please prepare the following submission materials. Both the short abstract and the extended abstract are required for all presentation formats:

• Presentation title.
• Proposed presentation format.
• Presenter name(s).
• Biographical statement: up to 75 words for each presenting author.
• Short abstract: 150 words summarizing the presentation for the conference program.
• Extended abstract (proposal): 500 to 800 words providing sufficient detail for review.
• Bibliography: up to five key sources in APA or MLA format.

The extended abstract should explain the central question, argument, or research aim; the relevant scholarly context; the methods or analytical approach; and the main findings or arguments and their contribution to current understanding. Works in progress should identify the project’s current stage and the material to be presented. Proposals may be organized in a form appropriate to the project and discipline.

The extended abstract must explicitly explain how the work is relevant to SCSMI’s mission: to foster interdisciplinary dialogue between moving image theorists, historians, critics, philosophers, and scientifically oriented researchers working on moving image media. Applicants should explain their project’s contribution to understanding moving image media and their relationship to the human mind, making this connection clear to reviewers from different disciplinary backgrounds.

Proposals will be evaluated for their relevance to SCSMI’s interests and mission, conceptual clarity and intellectual rigor, contribution to advancing current understanding, and carefulness and thoroughness.

Author-Meets-Critics panel proposals require additional information about the publication and the panel participants. Detailed requirements for this format are available on the submission portal.

Presenters must be active members of the Society or join SCSMI by May 1, 2027 (otherwise acceptance may be withdrawn). Each presenter is limited to one paper or poster presentation, although presenters may appear as co-authors on papers delivered by other presenters, and may also take part in another type of event such as an Author-Meets-Critics panel, a DEI panel, or as a respondent.

All presenting authors are expected to deliver their papers in person, except in the case of accepted Remote Short Paper Presentations.

Presenters must declare any atypical technical requirements to the Conference Organizer at least one month before the conference so that these can be met within reason and budget. The technical facilities available in each venue will be listed on the conference website. If you require any accommodations in order to present at or participate in the conference, please contact the Conference Organizer at scsmi2027@belmont.edu.

Submission Procedures 

Submit proposals by December 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (UTC-12, Anywhere on Earth), through Oxford Abstracts at https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/83889/submitter. Full submission instructions will be available on the submission portal.

The Society for the Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image is dedicated to welcoming and encouraging all participants, regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, religion, and other such characteristics. We actively seek to enhance the diversity of our membership and encourage research in areas related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Visit the website for the full SCSMI Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Travel Awards 

SCSMI will sponsor travel awards for presenters. Presenters who face financial barriers to attending in person are encouraged to apply. Travel award procedures, criteria, and application instructions will be available on the submission portal. Further details about the awards will be announced when confirmed.

Other Information 

Notifications of acceptance will be made by February 15, 2027. The conference registration deadline is March 31, 2027; late registrations will be allowed for a higher fee.

For more information about SCSMI, to join, or to learn about membership costs and privileges, visit https://scsmi-online.org.

Further questions about the conference or submission process should be addressed to scsmi2027@belmont.edu.