Unspoken Borders 09: Ecologies of Inequality Call for Papers

This year’s Unspoken Borders Conference theme, Ecologies of Inequality, takes on an investigation of the systems which create or maintain inequity within societies and of how these systems interrelate to each other. In the face of the growing global necessity for sustainability in all undertakings, the conference asserts that inequalities are unsustainable, not only in terms of socio-economic injustices, but also in regards to the amount of resources invested in maintaining or creating these inequalities. We propose a three-tiered approach: 1) Expose concealed systems, existing and historical, that reinforce or promote stratification of society; 2) Examine the mechanisms of recognized systems; 3) Recommend proposals to re-engineer existing systems or to create alternative systems that promote socio-economic and environmental sustainability. These investigations are organized around five topics:

- The Environment (constructed, cultivated or untended)
- Public Health
- Mobility and Access
- Communication
- Race, Class, and Culture

The conference seeks interactive and engaging proposals for the presentation of papers, project and/or workshops that explore these topics. Proposals should describe current trends, introduce relevant case studies, and forecast future design challenges and visions. Students, academics and professional across the design
professions (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, City Planning, Real Estate Development, Historic Preservation, Fine Arts and Industrial Design) are invited to submit proposals that discuss critical topics that inter-relate design and any of the five stated topics.

Submission Guidelines:
Submit a proposal of no more than 1000 words summarizing your investigation as it relates to the conference theme. Submissions may include all or most of the visual imagery that support your proposal. Images should be in GIF, JPEG, TIFF or PDF format at 300 dpi. Applicants must also submit a curriculum vitae. Proposals must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by midnight on Sunday, January 11, 2009. A committee of students and faculty will review all submissions and select a number of proposals to be featured in the publication that will be available during this year’s Unspoken Borders conference held in April 2009. Among
the selected proposals, a number of finalists will be invited to present their papers during the conference plenary sessions. Please see the pre-publication timeline for further details.

Please direct all questions regarding the Call for Papers to [email protected].

Pre-publication Timeline:
January 11, 2009…...................Deadline for submissions
Week of January 19, 2009…..Notification of selected proposals
February 20, 2009….................Notification of selected presenters, deadline for finalizing formatting for publication
April 3-4, 2009…........................Conference dates; Electronic and print release of publication