The Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism at Carleton University is now accepting abstract submissions for the Agora III International Symposium, "Mediating Matter(s): Architecture and Bodily Affects." Co-hosted by Ahmed Elsherif, Ushma Thakrar, Dr. Menna Agha, and Federica Goffi, the event will be held on October 23-24, 2025, in Ottawa.

The symposium will explore the complex relationships between matter and bodies within architectural practice and discourse, challenging conventional perspectives. Esteemed scholars Dr. Samia Henni, Dr. María González Pendás, and Dr. Aya Nassar will deliver keynote addresses.

It seeks to bring together work from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences that engage with critical new materialism, colonial, subaltern, disability, queer, gender, sexuality, Black, and Indigenous studies.

Key topics include:

• The impact of architecture’s material organization on diverse bodies, reinforcing colonial, racist, sexist, and ableist legacies;
• The movement and interaction of architectural materials through different bodies, disrupting hierarchical myths;
• Mediating human and non-human relationships, and how non-normative kinship alters architectural materiality; and
• The role of architects and media in continuing dehumanized labour practices and rendering labour invisible in architecture.

Abstract proposals should be approximately 350 words and may include up to two images. Submissions must include your name, institution affiliation, and a brief bio (100 words). All proposals will undergo blind peer review and are due by August 15, 2024.

Accepted presenters will be notified by September 20, 2024. Presenters will have 15 minutes to present their papers in English, followed by a discussion period. Selected papers may be considered for future publication.

For more information and to submit proposals, email cripticollab@gmail.com. Full details are available here.