The Vernacular Architecture Forum June 2024 Conference

The Vernacular Architecture Forum invites paper and poster proposals for its 45th Annual Conference, June 12 to June 15, 2024 in Keweenaw, Michigan. The paper and poster sessions will be on Saturday, June 15th. Papers may address topics relating to vernacular and everyday buildings, sites, or cultural landscapes worldwide and how people use these sites. This includes research projects that continue the VAF’s commitment to material evidence in support of humanistic argumentation. We welcome twenty-minute presentations focusing on issues including, but not limited to, migration, displacement, de/colonialism, segregation, resistance, gender, sexuality, identity, heritage, equity, and justice in the everyday built environment. We also encourage papers that explore new methodologies for researching vernacular architecture and new pedagogies for involving students in the analysis of everyday buildings and cultural landscapes. Research topics that engage with the cultural landscapes of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Upper Midwest, including associated themes of mining, industrial labor, indigeneity, territoriality, and post-industrial development, are also welcome.

CALL FOR PAPERS: To be accepted, submissions must arrive first in the form of a proposal.  Proposals should clearly state the paper’s argument, methodology, and evidence 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. Proposals for complete sessions are also welcome; please 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 the VAF requires speakers to deliver accepted papers in person and be members at the time of the conference. Speakers are also encouraged to attend the entire conference, including tours. Speakers must register by March 1, 2024, or they will be removed from the program. Please do not submit a proposal if you are not committed to attending the conference and delivering your paper on Saturday, June 15, 2024.  

THE DEADLINE FOR PAPER PROPOSALS is November 15, 2023.

Proposals and c.v.s 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 Willa Granger.  

PAMELA H. SIMPSON PRESENTER’S FELLOWSHIPS: VAF’s Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships offer a limited amount of financial assistance to students and emerging 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 2023, is eligible to apply. Awards cannot exceed $1000. 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 2024 Keweenaw also will host a poster session to showcase recently completed research and works-in-progress. Students and emerging scholars are particularly encouraged to submit. Poster proposals 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 poster session, please contact Posters Committee chair, Alec Stewart.

THE DEADLINE FOR POSTER PROPOSALS IS NOVEMBER 15, 2023: Proposals and c.v.s 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 Alec Stewart.

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