West Virginia University is hosting a conference this week devoted to the study and promotion of the Appalachian region. The 45th annual Appalachian Studies Conference, “Making, Creating and Encoding: Crafting Possibilities in Appalachia” is taking place through Sunday. The event will feature craftivism, podcasting and hip-hop performances. This is the first time the University has hosted the conference since 1995 and around 800 people are part of it.