CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Symbolic Interaction and Identity Construction

Greetings!

Theoretically and empirically, symbolic interactionists have provided useful conceptual tools to understand identity construction as an outcome of social interaction. Whether keying on establishing interpersonal connections with which negotiators identify prior to sharing futures, making on-the-spot impressions that become meaningful via the responses of others, or using verbal and non-verbal ways of being recognized and distinguished in public and private settings, interactionists have used identification of selves and others as establishing the groundwork for both present centered and future oriented social activities.

However, over the past few decades, interactionists have also recognized that social, political, and interpersonal contexts of social interaction have not only become problematically intertwined, but have also become increasingly complex and strenuous. For example, focusing on the importance of gender identity, including gender diversity and gender influx presents an arduous task for social actors to negotiate their identities and create cooperative social contexts while managing possible conflictual encounters on a daily basis. This task becomes even more challenging when more macro-sociological referents, such as creating a hostile executive order with legal implications, recognize only two sexes.

The strenuous construction of gender identity is but one challenge confronting everyday interactors and interactionist observers who have provided valuable insights regarding the onerous construction of other identities. Naming and crystallizing political identities, including right-wing, nationalist, progressive, and even "woke," make for a paradoxical combination of determining social actors' standpoints and creating confusion about the meaning of those standpoints. Other social identities, such as those pertaining to cultural associations, or occupation-based coalitions, have also required more demanding observation and analysis due to the changes in social, cultural, and technological landscapes.

Studies in Symbolic Interaction, Vol. 63, is devoted to the discussions of identity construction in current social worlds from the symbolic interactionist perspective. Examinations of any form of identity construction in everyday life and in specialized temporal and spatial contexts are welcome. With this focus as the crux of Volume 63, the purpose is twofold: (1) to illustrate how symbolic interactionist theories are helpful in understanding the construction of an identity, and (2) how the construction of an identity serves to advance symbolic interactionist theories in identity construction.

For all interested, please send an abstract of no more than 750 words to Shing-Ling Sarina Chen (sarina.chen@uni.edu) by May, 15, 2025.

If an abstract is selected for inclusion, the deadline of completing the manuscript is November 30, 2025.

Thank you very much for your consideration. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Shing-Ling Sarina Chen

Studies in Symbolic Interaction