[Air-L] CFM--Symbolic Interaction and Identity Construction

[Sarina Chen]

Dear Colleagues,


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 at 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*


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