D.C. Health COMM Conference

About DCHC

 

DCHC 2027

The 9th Biennial D.C. Health Communication Conference (DCHC)

Three day conference April 23-25

 

The Department of Communication at George Mason University is thrilled to announce the 2027 D.C. Health Communication Conference. The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Dulles, within walking distance of Washington Dulles airport with easy access to the D.C. Metro train system, as well as multiple restaurants and attractions in the area.

DCHC 2027 will takes place Thursday-Saturday, April 23-25, featuring competitive papers, posters, and panel sessions covering not only issues related to the conference theme but also broadly defined concerns across a breadth of topics relevant to health communication research and practice.

DCHC 2027 will begin on the morning of Thursday, April 23rd. The conference keynote speaker will be announced later this year. DCHC 2027 will conclude on Saturday, April 25th, with an awards luncheon featuring a presentation by the winner of The Charles Atkin Award for Outstanding Translational Health Communication Scholar.

Abstracts programmed in poster sessions are eligible for poster awards in three categories: Top Student, Top Early Career Scholar, and Top Overall. Abstracts accepted for panel presentations will be eligible for awards in those same categories.. Specific instructions will be given at the time of acceptance.

Abstract Submission deadline:

December 1, 2026

 Charles Atkin Translational Scholar Award nominations deadline:

February 1, 2027

 Call for Abstracts for DCHC 2027, deadline December 1, 2026:

Theme, call, and abstract submission system information will be live in fall 2026.

  • One-page abstracts must be submitted by December 1, 2026. Submission will be through the DCHC website; the link will be live in early November. We encourage both new and seasoned health communication scholars to submit their work. All health communication topics are welcomed.
  • Panel submissions must address the conference theme. Please provide a one-page abstract that includes a list of all panelists with a moderator and contact person identified.

 

Acceptance notifications will be sent by the end of January 2027.  Submission link will be available in early November 2026.

 

Call for Nominations for The Charles Atkin Award for Translational Health Communication Research Scholar Award, deadline February 1, 2027:

  • The 7th Translational Health Communication Scholar Award will be presented at the conference to a scholar with a demonstrated record of research that has significantly contributed to practice and/or policy.
  • A nomination should consist of a letter detailing why the nominee deserves the award, accompanied by the nominee’s CV.
  • The winner is obligated to provide a presentation at the awards luncheon.
  • Nominations for this award will be accepted until February 1, 2025, at: gkreps@gmu.edu.

 

Contact Information:

  • General conference info: Anne Nicotera, Chair, Planning Committee, dchc@gmu.edu
  • Abstract submission info: Iccha Basnyat, Program Planner, dchc@gmu.edu
  • Atkin Award info: Anne Nicotera, Atkin Award Committee Chair, dchc@gmu.edu 
  • Website info: Brittany Sanders, Conference Manager & Webmaster, dchc@gmu.edu

 

DCHC Conference Registration Prices & Information

Information about conference registration and hotel reservations, including pricing, will be provided in early 2027.

For more information, contact: dchc@gmu.edu. Visit our Website: dchc.gmu.edu. Follow us on Facebook Facebook.com/masonDCHC