Enriching digitised archives with oral histories

Details

This project will research the ways in which newly produced oral histories can be used to enrich and contextualise resources in digitised archives, adding perspectives that are often absent in collections with colonial histories. This PhD will focus explicitly on how to streamline the addition of oral histories—created with low threshold digital technologies—to existing archives, exploring methodological approaches and technological solutions that would take into account the diverse needs of contributors, curators, and end users. The research is meant to privilege a user perspective, reflecting critically on how shaping the system influences its content and its reception. The project combines ethnography, critical cultural heritage and digital humanities and it will aim to produce concrete suggestions for implementation. These suggestions may encompass the data modelling and/or a graphic user interface. The research methodology involves the creation of oral histories specifically connected to resources in an existing archive, the co-creation of new workflows with all stakeholders, and an evaluation of the benefits.

While the project was initially born in the context of archaeological archives, the candidate is expected to select their own case study, and work closely in collaboration with the chosen institution.

The successful candidate will have experience with working with communities, a good understanding of archival metadata standards, and familiarity with the principles of interface design. 

About the supervisor

Valeria is a Lecturer in Digital Humanities in the Digital Humanities Institute (DHI), with a particular research focus on digital cultural heritage, visual digital humanities, and digital archives. To find out more about Valeria’s research interests and publications, please visit her University staff profile. 

We would advise that you get in touch with Valeria directly (via v.vitale@sheffield.ac.uk) to outline your proposed research proposal. This will allow us to ensure that your application is relevant to the DHI, and also that we have suitable expertise to supervise your project. This is the first step in the application process. 

About the Digital Humanities Institute (DHI)

Established in 1994, the DHI’s mission is to support the innovative use of technology and computation within arts, humanities and heritage research as both a method of inquiry and a means of dissemination. Digital culture is everywhere, and it is driven by cultural data.

We collaborate with a wide range of academic and research colleagues, as well as professionals in the heritage, culture and information industries, across the UK and internationally on funded projects with a computational component or digital output. Since the DHI was established, we have delivered over 120 externally funded research projects, collaborated with more than 125 external partners, and received grants from 39 funders.

Our expertise include database development, computational ontologies, natural language processing, computational linguistics, data visualisation and 3D, user-centred design and mobile apps.

In addition to the digital expertise within our institute, you will have access to our diverse range of research expertise across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, allowing you to explore your research interests in depth, collaborate with a wide range of researchers and gain insight from different perspectives. 

To find out more about the DHI’s research, please visit our DHI research website. 

As a student you will also be part of our supportive research community in the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities. You can find out more about our School and research culture on our School website.