Process over outcome/final product; focus on this experience being a multi-dimensional learning process for everyone; provide space for different types of learning/tinkering
Develop a knowledge of the types of technologies used in the digital humanities and develop skills to engage with them critically and creatively
Teach a workshop to share our (newly acquired) knowledge
Blog to document the process
Create something that is widely accessible to a broad community
INDIVIDUAL GOALS
Chloe:
Learn how to better share and visualize information in order to contribute to the field and benefit a wider public
Build fundamental technical skills, including coding, as well as an understanding of the breadth and possibilities of the digital humanities
Learn to think more creatively and be more experimental as a scholar
Connor:
Embrace the SLab philosophy of learning by doing (such as coding!)
Shed any lingering traces of “I’m not a tech person” mentality
Learn more about the possibilities of using digital tools to analyze and present sound
Janet:
Learn to code (new languages to communicate)
Learn about data visualization
Learn new perspectives, stay open, and reflect more
Learn more about the digital humanities, in particular how the digital humanities are deployed to expand and improve access to information for a diverse audience
Practice collaborative work to learn more about myself (my work needs, interests, and motivations)
Manage data well
Own the method and knowledge and work; better understand the interconnectedness of technical and intellectual processes
Lauren:
Integrate exploratory questions and methodologies into my process–create space for play, innovation, and new ways of thinking
Make space for more collaborative and/or public-oriented work in my own work
Learn how to hack & yack – expand my understanding of DH beyond its use as a tool to include how it also might inspire
Natasha:
Learn the potential in DH for democratizing access to archives and archival material, scholarly research, and other resources from the academy
Learn the basics of coding, in a way that will facilitate further exposure to digital tools post-Praxis
Stay curious!
Be part of SLab community
Values
COLLABORATION
Communication
Needs for help, more time, scheduling, etc. → check-ins to facilitate these (see also Living Charter Management)
Openness and honesty about individual interests, expectations of participation, expectations about the project, and any issues that may arise
Be cognizant of representing individual ideas versus those of the group
Come together and work as ‘whole people’
Acknowledge that we each come from and participate in multiple, different communities and roles
Generosity, Patience, & Trust: an understanding that other obligations exist but that we all maintain a commitment to the charter and project
Compassionate collaboration and learning environment. Question, rather than reject ideas, to keep conversation open. “Yes, and…”
Growth-oriented process: pause to learn from obstacles/setbacks and move forward with curiosity
Credit
Give credit within the group; build each other up and give affirmation along the way
When writing or presenting about the project in a public setting, give credit to the entire group by listing all names in alphabetical order and specify each individual’s role when appropriate; in non-public settings, acknowledgement of the project as a group collaboration is sufficient
Give credit to those contributing from outside the group
Consensus
We will strive for consensus when making decisions. If voting becomes necessary, we will use ⅗ majority
ACCOUNTABILITY
Transparency
Acknowledgement or confrontation of our own biases and positions of privilege as individuals and members of a larger institution
Create widely accessible work for a broad community, extending beyond academia
Responsibilities of our roles/work
Incorporate liberationist (e.g. feminist, anti-racist, anti-xenophobic) values in our products and processes—be cognizant of whose work we’re using/citing; be careful about assuming objectivity, and don’t shy away from subjectivity
Amplify the work of others—make sure we’re not duplicating or replicating work that is already out there, especially when it’s been done by grassroots/marginalized/underfunded institutions or individuals
Define which groups we want to serve, and have a regular ‘health check’ to make sure we’re serving them
Have an inclusive rather than exclusive policy—invite in new voices and/or information from local communities
FUN & PLAY
Be playful, curious, and celebrate small victories
Let the process be driven by our interests and desire to experiment
Stay open to new ideas and endpoints, as we experiment/learn new information or processes
Come together outside of the Scholars’ Lab and be human
Living Charter Management
Agree that we won’t have all the answers for every scenario now → First Tuesday of each month: lunch meeting to discuss what’s going well or what needs adjustment
When we do have a better idea of the project and its requirements, to come together to discuss milestones, work progress, and potential platforms for our work
