May 29, 2013 - 2:41am
Vancouver Island University is hosting a free symposium at the Cowichan campus Wednesday, May 29 called Digital Innovations: Lab Based Environments in the Humanities.
The day-long symposium brings together top researchers from VIU and the University of Victoria and will appeal to anyone with a keen interest in emerging and innovative digital technologies.
“Arts and humanities are undergoing a global transformation,” says VIU professor Dr. Richard Lane. “There is a profound shift into a digital environment. Digital laboratories, namely innovation labs, media labs, change labs, digital humanities labs, etc. are popping up at all major Canadian universities. It means humanities is part of the new digital economy.”
Keynote speaker is distinguished professor Dr. Ray Siemens, Canada Research Chair in Humanities Computing, University of Victoria who will kick off the discussion with a presentation at 10 am entitled “Big Humanities? Toward an Actionable, Collaborative Model for Digital
Humanities, in the Lab and the Community.”
“Dr. Siemens, who heads up a major digital humanities lab at UVic, will be discussing large scale collaborative projects and what we could do through networking with local labs and working with global teams,” explains Lane.
Dr. Siemen’s wife, Dr. Lynne Siemens of UVic’s School of Public Administration will deliver a closing presentation entitled “Fostering the Humanities as an Entrepreneurial Force” from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
The symposium also features a panel discussion focusing on Indigenous knowledge and digital humanities. The panel, from 11 am to 12 noon, features VIU’s Dr. Sally Carpentier and undergraduate research assistants MaryDawn MacWatt and Katelyn Beale, who will discuss an innovative project to digitize the Douglas Treaties and maps.
A second panel discussion from 1:30 to 3 pm will feature panelists Dr. Aaron Mauro of UVic’s Electronic Textual Cultures Lab and Dr. Stephen Ross and Dr. Jentery Sayers of UVic’s Maker Lab. It also features a presentation by Lane and student research assistant Deanna McGillivray from VIU’s MeTA Digital Humanities Lab on their current project to create a digital database
and work space where people can explore the graphical, historical production of literary texts.
According to Lane, digital innovation is important for local communities because it provides new skills and economic opportunities.
“Convergences between Digital Humanities labs and Innovation labs offer exciting new interdisciplinary possibilities within the arts and humanities,” he says. “Collaboration between UVic and VIU is vital for the success of digital innovation on Vancouver Island.”
Lane says traditional Humanists are moving into areas such as design, planning, project management, coding, text encoding, the advanced use of software-based text analysis tools, app development, desktop fabrication (which includes practical skills in electronics and basic engineering), digital librarianship, 3D printing, etc.
He adds that there is great interest among the public and among university students in emerging digital technologies. “Dr. Sally Carpentier and I spoke recently to the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and they were very excited about this topic. Many people think VIU should engage more in innovation and entrepreneurial activity in this area.
“In terms of students, they are seeking programs in digital humanities where they see concrete outcomes and where they can learn app building skills, multi-media skills, powerful GIS mapping skills, and more. They recognize that in our changing digital landscape, these are the skills that are
enormously employable.”
Lane says many average people are interested in this topic. “People have read about 3D printing and other technology projects underway at other Canadian universities in Digital Humanities labs and Innovation labs. In a sense, on Vancouver Island we're trying to catch up in working with emerging technology. We're already working on many authentically different projects, and innovating in ways that no one else is on a small scale. The goal of the symposium is to share ideas and discuss ways we can take our innovations to
the next level.”
The symposium at VIU’s Cowichan Campus begins with coffee and registration from 9:30 am to 10 am. VIU President Dr. Ralph Nilson provides a welcoming address at 10 am, followed by Dr. Ray Siemen's keynote presentation. Everyone is welcome.
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Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
