By Malika Ali, Thandeka Bango, Gianna Depina, and Jackline Masetu
Preamble
We, as the 2024 Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellows, are a body of students charged with equitably communicating a network of ideas within the Digital Humanities. The interdisciplinary approach in our respective research topics makes us a formidable cohort allowing us to exchange ideologies and learn from the various perspectives within our program and held by experts in their respective fields. Digital humanities provides a gateway to advanced research tools that optimize the research experience outside the classroom.
We believe thinking outside the box and challenging socially constructed norms and binaries is essential. By adopting new, more inclusive ways of thinking about data, we can uncover deeper insights and promote a richer understanding of complex societal issues. We encourage open-mindedness and creativity, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and innovative approaches are embraced; ultimately leading to more impactful and insightful results in our projects.
Article 1: Core Values
1.1 Empowerment
We value the advancement of student voices in the Digital Humanities
1.2 Inclusion
We value inclusion in our data collection such that no one should feel excluded in the data that we collect. Diversity is paramount for our cohort
1.3 Respect
We value respect within ideas that we all agree or disagree with
1.4 Integrity
We value integrity, honesty and diversity in our projects and work hard to understand certain disparities.
1.5 Intersectionality
We value intersectionality and incorporate underrepresented communities and take this into account throughout our projects.
1.6 Community
We value community as we think it is important to network and gain insights from others with similar or different perspectives.
Hopes and ambitions for this summer program:
- Challenge existing paradigms
- Creating awareness about different issues in society, cultures, and people
- Meeting new people
- Expand knowledge
- Gain new practical skills and apply the skills during and after the fellowship
- Inspire future scholars through our different research topics
- Become better communicators and active listeners
Conclusion
As the 2024 Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellows, we are committed to challenging existing paradigms and fostering inclusivity in our research. Through collaboration and open-mindedness, we hope to obtain deeper insights into the societal issues we are researching while gaining practical skills. Our diverse perspectives and thoughtful approaches will enrich our projects, inspire future scholars, and enhance our understanding of various issues.