5-6 October 2026
2026 Theme: «Methods of Engagement»
Institute for History and Theory of Architecture (gta)
Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich, Zurich Switzerland
The gta institute of the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich invites doctoral students to present a paper at its doctoral colloquium, to be held in Zurich from 5 to 6 October, 2026.
The methodology of architectural research is growing more complex. So too are the political, social, environmental, and economic contexts in which scholars execute their research. What methods do we bring to our research in order to engage with these changing times? Are new approaches necessary, or are there existing, neglected, or discarded ways of working that can be repurposed to the current moment? Can history ever be written without engagement with the present? The gta Doctoral Colloquium invites doctoral students to present a portion of their ongoing doctoral research that addresses their methods of engagement with the changing contours of the field of architectural history and theory and the environment in which that research is conducted.
Proposals for 20-minute papers are welcomed from doctoral students in architectural, landscape and urban history broadly defined, as well as those who deal with architecture in related fields (history, art history, area studies, etc). Applicants must be currently enrolled in a doctoral program.
Please submit a paper title, 300-word abstract and 2-page CV to Dr. Cara Rachele at doctoral-program@gta.arch.ethz.ch by 30 April 2026. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by 31 May 2026. ETH Zurich will reimburse travel expenses and accommodation costs.
For more information about the gta, please visit https://gta.arch.ethz.ch/