We seek proposals for papers for one or more panels about early modern maps and their materialities at the Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America, Philadelphia, 11-13 Mar 2027.

How does the material character of the map shape its capacity to communicate? How can the interrogation of format, support, media, techniques, modes of storage and display, marks of classification, ownership and origin add meaning and context to the information on its surface? Do different types and characters of materials and formats shape reception of geographical information? What evidence do we have of the value or valence of materials to mapmakers? Particularly in an age of expanding global awareness, how might materials have connected mapping processes to specific sites? How did materiality signify to Indigenous map traditions? In its consideration of these questions, this session will highlight the importance of the form and format of the early modern map as integral components of its interpretation.

Proposals should include your full name, current affiliation, and email address, a title (15-word maximum), an abstract (200-word maximum), your CV (.pdf or .doc), your PhD or other terminal degree completion year (past or expected). Please send to both Hayley Cotter (hcotterumass.edu) and Camille Serchuk,(serchukc1southernct.edu) before 15 July 2026; we will notify you on 1 August 2026 about the status of your proposal. Participants must be members of RSA to present at the conference in March of 2027.

For further information, please contact:
Hayley Cotter, UMASS, Amherst, hcotterumass.edu
Camille Serchuk, Southern CT State University, serchukc1southernct.edu