Call for Papers and Posters

The Vernacular Architecture Forum invites paper and poster proposals for its 44th Annual Conference, May 18 to May 20, 2023 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The paper and poster sessions will be on Saturday, May 20. Papers may address topics relating to vernacular and everyday buildings, sites, or cultural landscapes worldwide and how people use these sites. We also welcome papers that explore new methodologies for researching vernacular architecture, or new pedagogies for engaging students in the analysis of everyday buildings and cultural landscapes. Submissions on all relevant topics are welcome. We encourage papers focusing on issues of migration, displacement, de/colonialism, segregation, resistance, gender, sexuality, identity, heritage, equity, and/or justice in the everyday built environment. Those focusing on the cultural landscapes of New England, including the contestations of heritage tourism, climate change and maritime environments, and indigeneity and territoriality are also encouraged. 

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

CALL FOR PAPERS: To be accepted, submissions must arrive first in the form of a proposal.  Proposals should clearly state the argument of the paper and explain the methodology and content in fewer than 400 words. You may include up to two images with your submission, which can be text-wrapped into your proposal (if desired) or included on a separate sheet. Papers should be analytical rather than descriptive, and the conference presentation should be no more than twenty minutes in length. Proposals for complete sessions are also welcome; please make sure to indicate if your proposal is being submitted as part of a complete session.  Be sure to include your paper title, the name of the author, email address, and a one-page c.v.  (If there are multiple authors, please include a c.v. for each author.)

Please be advised that accepted proposals require speakers to deliver their papers in person and be VAF members at the time of the conference. Speakers are also encouraged to attend the entire conference, including tours. Speakers must register by March 1, 2023, or their paper will be withdrawn. Please do not submit a proposal if you are not committed to attending the conference and delivering your paper on Saturday, May 20, 2023. 

THE DEADLINE FOR PAPER PROPOSALS IS DECEMBER 19, 2022.

The proposals and c.v. should be emailed as a PDF attachment to the papers committee. 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 Papers Committee chair Alec Stewart.

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 and posters 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 or poster who is currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, or who received a degree in 2022, 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.

CALL FOR POSTERS: VAF 2023 Plymouth also will host the annual poster session to showcase recently completed research and works-in-progress. Students and emerging scholars are particularly encouraged to submit. The poster proposal may address any topic relating to vernacular and everyday buildings, sites, or cultural landscapes worldwide as described in the first paragraph of this document.

Proposals should include a title, proposal (no more than 200 words), and a one-page c.v. Accepted presenters will be expected to follow general guidelines regarding poster dimensions but must design, print, and present their posters at the conference. If you have any questions about the posters session, please contact Posters Committee chair PJ Carlino.

THE DEADLINE FOR POSTER PROPOSALS IS DECEMBER 19, 2022.

The proposals and c.v. should be emailed as a PDF attachment to the posters committee. All proposals received will be acknowledged.  If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your poster within one week of its submission, please contact Posters Committee chair PJ Carlino.

GENERAL INFORMATION: For general information about the Plymouth conference, please visit the VAF website or contact Michelle Jones, VAF Conference Planner.