The Rice School of Architecture is inviting submissions from doctoral students for its inaugural dissertation colloquium, to be held at Rice University on March 27 and March 28, 2020. With a focus on transatlantic dimensions of architectural history and theory, we are inviting an international group of doctoral students to present new research that will fuel dialogues across national borders and sub-disciplinary boundaries. Submissions are due by February 10.

Over the past years, reference frames in architectural history have shifted and with them, the discipline’s approaches and modes of practice have been transforming. In a world challenged by rapidly changing political boundaries and national identities and shifting scales of globalization, the colloquium seeks new research in architectural history (in its broadest sense and definition), which is based on an understanding of the Atlantic basin as a connector of four continents and cultural spheres, rather than a separating body of water. The interest of this workshop lies in an approach that focuses on cultural exchange and sheds light to the transformation of ideas, models and cultural attitudes along their transatlantic crossings, and will allow us to bring light to the impact of political, economic, social, and cultural transformations on architectural culture and the built environment.

The colloquium will include up to eight participants who will each present a twenty-minute paper, which will be followed by feedback from a respondent. The presentations should be based on a cohesive portion of the research, rather than providing an overview of the thesis. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a doctoral program and have completed at least one year of dissertation research.

Submissions should include a full draft of the presentation (approx. 2,500 words), an abstract situating the contribution in the broader dissertation research ambition (300 words max.), and a brief note from the dissertation advisor confirming the applicant's status and progress within the program. Candidates selected for participation in the colloquium will be notified by mid February, 2020.

Please send electronic submissions (PDF files, not to exceed 10MB) to reto.geiserrice.edu by February 10, 2020.