CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS

Vernacular Architecture Forum
2025 Annual Meeting
Wilmington, Delaware
May 14-17, 2025

DEADLINE – DECEMBER 1, 2024

The Vernacular Architecture Forum invites paper and poster proposals for its 46th Annual Meeting: From New Castle to Sussex: Big Stories from a Small State, which will take place in Wilmington, Delaware, May 14-17, 2025.

The paper and poster sessions will be on Saturday, May 17. Papers and posters may address topics relating to vernacular and everyday buildings, sites, or cultural landscapes worldwide and how people use these sites. We welcome twenty-minute presentations focusing on issues including, but not limited to, migration, displacement, de/colonialism, segregation, resistance, gender, race, sexuality, identity, heritage, sustainability, 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 Delaware and surrounding areas, including associated themes of agricultural landscape, suburbanization, demolition, restoration and remodeling, and tourism, are also welcomed.

Students and emerging professionals may apply for the Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships, which offer support of up to $1,000 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 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, focusing on unique or understudied topics that have the potential to identify gaps in existing scholarship. 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 CV (if there are multiple authors, please include a CV for each author). Given the number of applications we receive, the VAF Papers Committee cannot provide individual feedback on applications.

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, 2025, 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, May 17, 2025.

THE DEADLINE FOR PAPER PROPOSALS IS DECEMBER 1, 2024. 

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 2024, is eligible to apply. Awards cannot exceed $1,000. 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 or poster title.

CALL FOR POSTERS

VAF 2025 Wilmington, Delaware 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 CV 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, Jose Vazquez (jose.vazquez@mdc.edu).

THE DEADLINE FOR POSTER PROPOSALS IS DECEMBER 1, 2024

Proposals and CVs should be emailed as a PDF attachment to the  posters committee (posters@vafweb.org). 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 Jose Vazquez.

GENERAL INFORMATION For general information about the Wilmington conference, please visit the VAF website or contact Michelle Jones (conference@vaf.org).