Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships

In memory of Pamela H. Simpson, whose commitment to mentoring young scholars touched the lives of numerous students and colleagues, the VAF Board of Directors has renamed the Annual Presenter’s Fellowships the Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowships.


Since 1989, the VAF Board of Directors has allocated funding for financial assistance to students and young professionals presenting papers at VAF annual conferences. Awards are intended to offset conference and travel cost for students, and to attract developing scholars to the organization.


Any person presenting a paper at a VAF annual conference who is currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, or who has received a degree within one year of the annual conference 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.


2023 Pamela H. Simpson Presenter’s Fellowship Recipients

In memory of Pamela H. Simpson, whose commitment to mentoring young scholars touched the lives of numerous students and colleagues, the Simpson Fellowship provides funding to students and young professionals presenting papers or posters at VAF annual conferences.

  • Carter Jackson, Boston University – “Constructing a Solution for the Welfare Apparatus: The Ambitions, Contradictions, and Functionality of Boston’s Government Service Center”
  • Jesse Kling, Higgens Quasebarth & Partners – “Solid Brick Homes” The Continuing Row House Tradition of Postwar Brooklyn and Queens”
  • Alba Menéndez-Pereda, University of California, Los Angeles – "Shaky Foundations: Rebuilding the Coricancha in the Twentieth Century"
  • Mania Tahsina Taher, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee – “World-making through Everyday Objects Inside the Dwellings of Bangladeshi Immigrant Women in New York”
  • Emily Varley, University of Southern California – “Reconstruction Right Now: Conserving Vernacular Heritage in Beaufort, South Carolina as an act of Reconstructing Preservation Practice”
  • Stephen Yerly, University of Florida – “Sconset: Authenticity, Form and Place”
  • Tian Zhang, University of Virginia & Tongji University, Shanghai – “Constructions before Architects: A Study of Chinese Builders by Analyzing Lawsuits in Shanghai 1880-1930”

Application Process
Applications must be submitted with paper abstracts to the Conference Papers committee; following guidelines issued in the annual Call for Papers. An application consists of 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 title.

The deadline for the Simpson Presenter's Fellowship will be posted on the conference information.

Please see the Call for Papers for instructions. 

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