The Scottish Media and Communication Association is Scotland's higher education subject association in the media and communication fields, with the participation of both the universities and colleges of art and design.

SMCA holds an annual autumn/early winter conference, and regular Steering Committee meetings, the latter of which are attended by representatives of all member institutions, schools and faculties.

SMCA participates in dialogue with media, education, training and governmental bodies, including Scottish Screen and Skillset and with the Further Education sector, and is an observer on the Scottish Industry Skills Panel (the audio-visual sector's employers' forum).

SMCA's last four conferences have been hosted by the University of Stirling in The Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan, in 2001; by the University of the West of Scotlandin The Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow in 2002; by Napier University, Edinburgh, at its Craighouse Campus in 2003; and by University of Abertay Dundee, at Dudhope Castle.

The 2008 Conference takes place at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.