As I mentioned in my previous column, ICA has recently concluded a yearlong process of strategic thinking. The process was chaired by Dr Cynthia Stohl and Dr Karin Wilkins, in collaboration with Keeling & Associates, LLC (K&A), a consulting and professional services firm. The process involved the participation of 53 individuals over 32 meetings; interviewees represented 11 divisions, five interest groups, and nine standing committees. K&A administered and analyzed the results of an online survey open to all members; 615 members responded (12% response rate).
The process yielded the selection of five strategic goals for the next years: Global Leadership in Communication Scholarship; Community, Inclusivity, and Access; Global Representation and Engagement; Transformational Professional Growth; and Sustainable Resourcing. These goals reflect existing priorities and ongoing initiatives, as well as members' suggestions and areas of growth that are consistent with our mission.
In my mind, these goals can be summarized as follows: Continue the good work that ICA has been doing as a global leader in communication scholarship; maintain and build off existing activities to make our Association more accessible and inclusive; offer various engagement opportunities for scholars from around the world; provide members with various opportunities for professional development (aside from our annual conferences); and ensure that we have a solid, sustainable financial model, especially amid important and unpredictable shifts in academic publishing and conference formats (throw in artificial intelligence, for good measure, given speculations that it will "change the world").
These five goals provide us with a clear, inspiring vision.
Yet, there is no ready-made blueprint for "how to" globalize academic, professional associations committed to excellence and inclusivity. We are sketching out the roadmap, as we continue longstanding (annual conference, journals) and recent activities (regional conferences, hubs).
Now comes the rolling-out phase of our vision (did someone say "fun part"?). The Executive Committee and staff have started working on the implementation process. We hope to have a plan ready by the end of 2024. We decided to set up five task forces (one for each strategic objective), and invite 5-7 members to participate in each task force. Members are selected based on their expertise in specific strategic objectives. The task forces will produce reports that will be integrated in a master plan. This plan will be a living document that will be progressively rolled out, as we figure out priorities and necessary resources.
This is an exciting, pivotal moment for ICA. We have a strong vision for strengthening a professional association that serves an expanding global community of scholars. We need to provide multiple spaces for members to present their work, make connections, learn and engage with a diversity of scholars and ideas. Please join us in this endeavor. As always, we welcome ideas and suggestions, as well as expressions of interest to volunteer in current and future committees, divisions, and interest groups.
To read the full Strategic Plan document, please click here.