I am very pleased to share that, following our launch event on 6 November, we have now officially founded the Oxford Digital Scholarship Society (OxDSS). As the inaugural President, I am excited to introduce this new student-led initiative to the wider Digital Scholarship at Oxford community.
Although “digital scholarship” is often associated with the digital humanities, the University of Oxford shows clearly that computational, data-driven, and digitally enhanced approaches extend far beyond the humanities alone; they shape research and teaching across the Social Sciences, the Medical Sciences, Mathematics, and, of course, the Humanities. This is precisely why we chose the term digital scholarship – it reflects the genuinely interdisciplinary nature of this work and the wide range of scholars who contribute to it.
What is Digital Scholarship?
‘Scholarship’ is the collective attainments of experts working within a particular field of academic study, especially but not exclusively in the humanities. ‘Digital scholarship’ takes place when digital technology is used to enhance the materials or methods available to scholars.
Source: What is Digital Scholarship? | Digital Scholarship at Oxford
In my own research – which bridges computational methods with music historiography – I have repeatedly encountered the need for more opportunities for students using digital methods to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Speaking with students across the University over the past months has only reinforced this: many of us employ similar tools and wrestle with similar questions, yet seldom have the chance to connect. Social Network Analysis (SNA), for example, appears in fields as varied as historical research, epidemiology, social science, and musicology – but those using it rarely sit in the same room.
About OxDSS
Oxford already has a vibrant digital scholarship community, with remarkable activity happening across initiatives such as TORCH, the Oxford e-Research Centre (OeRC), the Voltaire Foundation, the Digital Bodleian, and a wide range of highly renowned digital projects. Our goal with OxDSS is not to duplicate these efforts but to create a student-centred space where those working within and across these communities can meet, collaborate, and share expertise.
Together with my committee, we are excited to build this space for students at Oxford – a place to meet like-minded peers, discover new digital tools and methods, discuss challenges in this often ambiguous and evolving space, and find inspiration and collaboration for future projects. We are currently designing our programme for the year, which will include:
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Weekly informal meetups for members
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Fortnightly guest talks featuring speakers from digital flagships projects across divisions
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Hands-on workshops and thematic sessions based on student interests
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Open events aimed at the broader Oxford community
To join: https://sites.google.com/view/oxdss/join
