Third Annual
Digital Manuscript Studies Institute: DMSI 2025
Cambridge & Boston, Massachusetts

19 March 2025, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm EST (GMT-5)

Organizers: Laura K. Morreale and N. Kıvılcım Yavuz

DMSI 2025 Logo and QR Code

[Posted on 29 December 2024]

DMSI 2025 Banner

The third annual Digital Medieval Studies Institute (DMSI) in March 2025 presents a one-day program featuring workshops on digital scholarly methods specifically tailored for medievalists. Organized by Laura K. Morreale and N. Kıvılcım Yavuz, it takes place in cooperation with

DMSI 2025 Flyer

• Harvard University,
• Boston College,
• McMullen Museum of Art,
• Digital Medievalist, and
• the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence (RGME).

Information for DMSI 2025

• printable Flyer (see right)
  DMSI 2025 flyer

• web-based information sheet

• application form
• registration (see below)

DMSI 2025 Flyer: Call for Participation

Program

Plenary Lecture

Gabriel Pizzorno
(Senior Preceptor on History and Faculty Chair,
Digital Scholarship Support Group, Harvard University)
“Building on Solid Foundations:
The Importance of Data Structures to Digital Scholarship”

Lightening Talks

Lightning talks will be presented by a selected number of participants.

Send your proposals!

For the lightning talks, workshop participants can propose a short presentation (lightning talk) on any aspect of digital medieval studies, such as an ongoing project, a methodology, or a specific research finding; the topic of the lightning talk does not have to be the same as the workshop in which the participant enrolls. Participants will be able to present a lightning talk only if they are accepted to attend the full-day program.

Lunch

Workshops

Five separate concurrent workshops, each with a total teaching time of 4 hours, will address a variety of topics and techniques.

A maximum of 8-10 participants will be accepted into each workshop. It will only be possible to enroll in one workshop.

1) “Rendering Spaces Virtually Using Photogrammetry”
(Rachel Chamberlain)

Participants will explore the various uses of photogrammetry, particularly in capturing interiors to display virtually. You will learn to photograph a space, stitch it together, and layer multiple forms of media on top to provide a rich, immersive experience to digital visitors.

2) “Rendering 3D Artifacts for Virtual Exhibits Using Photogrammetry”
(Antonio LoPiano)

Photogrammetry is a powerful and flexible technology for the capturing, digitization, and visualization of 3D artifacts, especially in the context of rendering them for use in virtual exhibits or repositories. Participants will learn how to capture images of an artifact, use the Metashape photogrammetry software to process images, and export the resulting models for use in virtual environments.

3) “Mapping Humanities: The Medieval Version”
(Kahil Sawan)

This workshop explores various mapping methods used in medieval digital humanities. Participants will be introduced to GIS (Geographic Information Systems), geo-referencing, and spatial data. You will learn how to use tools that will enable you to integrate geography and digital mapping into your own research projects.

4) “Networking Old English Charters Using Gephi”
(David Thomas)

Network analysis enables scholars to untangle patterns of relationships in historical documents whose complexity is beyond human comprehension. Participants will use the network analysis tool Gephi to analyze and visualize the relationships of over 2,500 individuals who appear in over 500 charters from Old English kingdoms, from the seventh to the ninth centuries, zeroing in on major figures.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University, Houghton Library: Exterior view (2014). Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, Harvard University, Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons

5) “Digitizing Manuscripts”
(Anthony Harris & Sara Powell)

In this interactive workshop on the essentials of manuscript digitization, participants will learn how to capture the textual and material aspects of medieval fragments. You will gain hands-on experience working with Houghton Library’s fragments, collaborating to select, describe, scan, and prepare items for upload to a digital repository.

— This workshop will take place at the Houghton Library.

DMSI 2025: List of Workshops

Reception at the McMullen Museum of Art of Boston College

Boston, Boston College, McMullen Museum of Art, Exterior. Photograph by BCLicious (2018), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Applications and Instructions

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate how they plan to apply what they learn in their research, teaching, or professional practice.

We are offering a small bursary for 5 participants (one per class) to cover the participation fee; the bursary is needs-based.

• application form

For the application, you will need to supply:

• Contact information
• Two-paragraph statement of interest specifying the three workshops you are most interested in participating (in order of preference) and explaining how you plan to incorporate the skills and knowledge gained at DMSI into your current work.
• Concise CV (maximum 1 page).

Optional

• Proposal to give a Lightning Talk

If you wish to propose a short presentation, please send a title and a 200-word abstract.

• Application for a Bursary

If you wish to apply for a bursary, please send a brief indication of financial need (no documentation, please). The bursary will cover the $100 cost of participation ONLY. No funds are available for travel or accommodation.

Due Date for Applications
Note that the first round of applications are due by 30 January 2025.

DMSI 2025 Flyer: Instructions

Registration

The fee to attend the 2025 Meeting of the DMSI in Cambridge/Boston is $100 US. (The cost of lodging or travel is not included.) To apply for a needs-based bursary to cover this fee, see above.

Please register through the RGME Eventbrite Registration Portal:

• Digital Medieval Studies Institute (DMSI) 2025 in Cambridge/Boston: Tickets

In registering, please indicate your first, second, and third choices of workshop you would like to attend; spaces are limited. Please also indicate any dietary restrictions.

Issues with registering for the event? Please contact the RGME via [email protected].

Questions?

Do you have questions about the event and applications for it?
Please contact the organizers via [email protected].

DMSI 2025 Logo and QR Code

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