Call for Panel Proposals: Design History Society Affiliated Society Panel with the College Art Association

Society News

8 March 2017

In 2017, the Design History Society facilitated its first panel as an Affiliated Society at the College Art Association in New York City. The annual conference gathering organised by CAA provides an opportunity for professionals in the arts, design, culture and its histories to debate current issues in research, education and creative practice. 

An affiliation with the CAA reflects the ongoing initiatives of the DHS to broaden the audience, remit and work of design history: by hosting a panel at the annual conference, the DHS is in the position to bring such conversations to the attention of thousands of international colleagues from across disciplines, institutions and geographies. From year to year, the DHS aims to accrue a portfolio of critical and innovative discussion that also archives important issues in design history practice and contemporary work in the discipline.

This year, for its second CAA Affiliated Society Panel, the DHS would like to open the submission of prearranged panel themes to its membership. Proposals that consider critical approaches to current work in design history and design pedagogy are encouraged, particularly those that explicitly consider the contemporary position of design historians in cultural politics.

Panel proposals are invited for convening a 90-minute session, which may be framed as a set line-up of speakers or as a theme with a call for papers, which will be inserted in the CAA general CFP. 

An abstract of the proposed panel theme and its intended structure (set speakers, or call thereof) should be no longer than 250 words and sent to Elli Michaela Young: designhistorysociety@gmail.com no later than Monday 20 March 2017.

The selection of the successful DHS Affiliated Society panel theme will be made by the Society's Trustees at the 25 March 2017 board meeting. The chosen chairs can expect to submit a final panel proposal to CAA by Monday 24 April 2017.

As sponsors of the panel, the DHS is in the position to support chairs with up to two CAA membership annual fees (required for chairs) and two CAA conference registration fees (required as chairs).

Further information on deadlines and guidelines leading up to the conference can be found via the CAA website here.