Proposals are requested for works (panels, paper presentations, well-developed research in progress, multi-mediated/graphic projects) that identify and discuss any aspects of beer, including its producers, its consumers, the communities and identities beer inspires and maintains, and/or its social, cultural, historical, and economic impact.
The Beer Culture subject area of the Popular Culture Association represents an interdisciplinary field of study that can be approached from multiple academic and creative directions. As an example, the PCA’s well-established Beer Culture Area explores issues of authenticity, place, history, community, identity, gender, race, class, maker movements, visual design, rhetoric, social media, law and ethics, business and entrepreneurship, marketing, travel and tourism.
We particularly encourage submission of works dealing with beer and the environment, sustainability in brewing, brewing public policy, the economic impact of brewing, craft beer and gentrification, market pressures in beer culture (including brewery closures and mergers), beer and the family, beer journalism and media, beer museums, pub life, issues of diversity, inclusion and equity related to beer culture, and legal issues in beer culture.
Individual presentations are typically 15-20 minutes in length, and usually delivered in a semi-formal conversational tone, although a close reading of a paper is acceptable. Panel proposals with multiple presenters should specify the thematic link between each of the works and, depending on scope, will be allotted between 30 to 60 minutes. All presentations will be followed by an interactive period with the audience that above all else is supportive and non-competitive.
While this is an academic conference, non-academics who are leaders in their applied fields are welcome to present ideas that advance the intellectual understandings of the Beer Culture Area. Please note however that we cannot accept proposals whose purpose is promotional in nature.
The Beer Culture Area encourages submissions from graduate students but does not accept undergraduate submissions.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Beer Culture Area Chair:
Robert A. Cole
Roger Williams University
