Tech Prepping For 48th Appalachian Conference

The study of Appalachia culture and issues facing the region will be the subject of the 48th Annual Appalachian Studies Conference.

Conference Chair and Tennessee Tech English Professor Monic Ductan said a major problem in Appalachia is the lack of technological access. Ductan said the conference will continue to talk about these issues until a better solution is put forward.

“Even today there are places where I have gone to in Appalachia where it’s hard to get a wifi signal or you don’t have broadband in certain areas so that sometimes does make it difficult for people to learn and communicate.”

Other issues include health care and education. Leaders currently accepting scholars who wish to present in the March symposium.

“I think all of this is important to help us understand one another,” Ductan said. “But maybe it will also highlight problems that we have and try to find solutions whether it’s communicating with each other or trying to understand each other better through literature or through history.”

The conference has had big turnouts as the previous conference had a sum of 800 people. Ductan said she wants those in the community who attend to feel like they can speak up about issues they are concerned with within the area.

“I want them to develop a sense of pride in our home place and where we come from,” Ductan said. “The whole point of it is to educate people. If you are able to attend and sign up to come to some of these conference panels, my hope is that you will go away with something that will make you not only feel better about the region we live in but if you do have problems and issues that you think need to be addressed maybe talk through these things with other people that you are attending the conference with.”

The conference will also discuss the culture of writing and literature in Appalachia. Ductan said as a professor herself she believes literature and writing are major factors in our culture.

The conference set for March 20-22, 2025.