It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of COT founding editor, Frank G. Matero. Frank died December 2025 after a protracted battle with cancer. He was an esteemed scholar, generous teacher, innovative practitioner, and a visionary in the field of conservation/historic preservation. Always committed to expanding conservation’s body of knowledge and vibrant discourse, Frank founded Change Over Time: An International Journal of Conservation and the Built Environment in 2010 and shepherded our first issue to publication in 2011 on the theme of “Repair.” The purpose of the journal has always been to promote critical discourse on contemporary conservation issues both within the field and across disciplines and to serve as a forum for both scholars and practitioners alike. Frank never ceased to find beauty and wonder in querying the implications of how the vestiges of our historic built environments came to be (interpretation) and excitement in fulfilling our duty to care for them.

In honor of Frank and his contributions to the field, we are compiling a memorial issue that celebrates his life, work, and legacy. We welcome submissions for consideration that elaborate upon the legacy of his work and how it continues to be carried forward. Due to the timely nature of the issue, submissions are due 2 March 2026.

Frank was a mentor, colleague, and dear friend. We miss him dearly. Let’s carry his inspiration forward.

Aloha,

Kecia Fong
Editor, Change Over Time

If you have questions or are interested in submitting a manuscript for consideration, please contact us at cot@design.upenn.edu.
Submission Length: 1,000 – 7,500 words
For formatting and document preparation: see COT Author Guidelines.