Vernacular Architecture Forum 2020 Annual Meeting

The Vernacular Architecture Forum (www.vafweb.org) invites paper and poster proposals for its 39th Annual Conference, Vernacular Landscapes of San Antonio and Central Texas, May 6 to May 9, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. The paper and poster sessions will be on Saturday, May 9. They may address topics relating to vernacular and everyday buildings, sites, or cultural landscapes worldwide and how people use these sites. Submissions on all relevant topics are welcome. We encourage papers and posters focusing on vernacular architecture and cultural landscapes of Texas, as well as issues of displacement, migration, acculturation, revival architecture, and African Americans in slavery and freedom in borderlands. 

Students and young professionals may apply for the Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships offering support of up to $500 to presenting papers at VAF’s annual conference.

THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS NOVEMBER 3, 2019


SUBMITTING A PAPER PROPOSAL

Papers should be analytical rather than descriptive, and no more than twenty minutes in length. Proposals for complete sessions are welcome. Proposals should clearly state the argument of the paper and explain the methodology and content in fewer than 400 words. Make sure to indicate if your proposal is being submitted as part of a complete session.  Please include the paper title, author’s name, email address, and a one-page c.v.  You may include up to two images with your submission. Note that presenters must deliver their papers in person and be VAF members at the time of the conference. Speakers are encouraged to attend the entire conference. Speakers must register by March 1, 2020, or their paper will be withdrawn. Please do not submit an abstract if you are not committed to attending the conference and delivering your paper on Saturday, May 9, 2020.

The proposal and c.v. should be emailed as a PDF attachment to p[email protected]. All proposals received will be acknowledged. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your paper within one week of its submission, please contact Andrew Dolkart, chair of the papers committee directly at [email protected].

PAMELA H. SIMPSON PRESENTER’S FELLOWSHIPS

VAF’s Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships offer a limited amount of financial assistance to students and young professionals presenting papers at VAF’s annual conference. Awards are intended to offset travel and registration costs for students, and to attract developing scholars to the organization. Any person presenting a paper who is currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, or who received a degree in 2019 is eligible to apply. Awards cannot exceed $500. Previous awardees are ineligible, even if their status has changed. Recipients are expected to participate fully in the conference, including tours and workshops.

To apply, submit with your proposal a one-page attachment with "Simpson Presenter’s Fellowship" at the top and the following information: 1) name, 2) institution or former institution, 3) degree program, 4) date of degree (received or anticipated), 5) mailing address, 6) permanent email address, 7) telephone number, and 8) paper title.

SUBMITTING A POSTER PROPOSAL

In addition to the paper sessions, VAF 2020 San Antonio will host a poster session to showcase recently completed research and works-in-progress. Students and emerging scholars are particularly encouraged to submit.  Proposals should include a title and abstract (200 words). Deadline for submission is November 3, 2019. Upon acceptance, poster contributors will be provided a poster template which must be used. 

Posters will be showcased in the conference book room with dedicated discussion times during paper session breaks and receptions. 

Submit poster proposals via the Google Form:https://forms.gle/VreUnow27AcPsRag6 Email questions to Brent Fortenberry [email protected]

For general information about the San Antonio conference, please visit the VAF website at http://www.vernaculararchitectureforum.org/ or contact Michelle Weaver Jones, VAF Conference Planner,[email protected]