Announcements – THATCamp New England 2011

Propose a Session

Lincoln Mullen — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:33:26 +0000

Here is how THATCamp works. Other than the workshops, we don’t have anything planned—you’re the ones who do the planning. Over the next few days you can post your session ideas to the TCNE website. Also over the next few days, you should read other people’s proposals and comment on them if you wish. On Saturday morning, everyone will get to vote for the sessions you want to participate in, which will then become our schedule for the rest of the day.

Obviously this works better if more people propose sessions that they’ve put some thought into. Here’s what makes for a good session proposal:

It’s NOT a paper, or a talk, or a lecture, but an idea for a conversation.
It proposes a topic related to technology and humanities that a group of people can discuss in an hour or so.
And ideally, the session will produce something useful: a list of resources, or some hacked code, or a syllabus.

There are more ideas and guidelines on the THATCamp website.

So please visit the list of session proposals, then add yours with your login to WordPress.

Also, if you’re interested in giving a lightning presentation, sign up here.

Lightning Presentations (AKA Dork Shorts)

Lincoln Mullen — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:45:05 +0000

Are you working on an awesome digital humanities project? Are you using a great DH tool? Do you want people at THATCamp New England to know about it? Our lightning presentations (often called Dork Shorts) are your chance.

During our only plenary session on Saturday, October 22, we will have time for anyone who would like to give a very, very brief presentation of his or her project. Here are the rules:

You get two (2) minutes. No exceptions. No extensions.
First come, first served. We’ll let people present in the order that you sign up, first here on the website, and second on the morning of THATCamp.
All you get is a web browser. No PowerPoint! If you sign up below with one URL, I’ll have it ready for you in advance; otherwise you’ll have to waste some of your 120 seconds. Pro tip: use bit.ly.

So if you want to do a lightning presentation, leave a comment with a link below. Have fun!

Application Deadline Extended to September 16

Lincoln Mullen — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:05:18 +0000

For many institutions, the semester is just under way. To make sure everyone has a chance to apply, the organizers are extending the deadline for applying to THATCamp New England to September 16. Take advantage of the extension, and apply now! We look forward to seeing you at THATCamp.

Apply Now!

Lincoln Mullen — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:14:38 +0000

Applications are now open for THATCamp New England. Please apply to come to the BootCamp and main unconference here. If you want to know more about the conference, see our call for participants.

We look forward to seeing you in October!

Image courtesy of Flick user David Hilowitz.

THATCamp New England and NERCOMP Together

Lincoln Mullen — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:06:55 +0000

Your local THATCamp New England organizers have gotten together with the fine folks over at NERCOMP to create a partnership that we hope will be a big help to THATCamp.

First, let me explain the problem that THATCamp New England faces. The greatest strength of the regional THATCamps is that they’re lightweight. There is no bureaucracy. We don’t even have a bank account. Sounds ideal, right? It is, until you want to hold a second, or third, or tenth THATCamp New England. It becomes very difficult to transfer funds from one place to the next, and it becomes hard to maintain institutional continuity. In other words, the organizers have to build each new THATCamp New England from the ground up.

What if it were possible to keep the THATCamp New England organization lightweight, and have the advantages of long-term institutional stability, and get a pile of cash at the same time? Enter NERCOMP.

The NERCOMP officers have graciously drafted a memorandum of understanding with the THATCamp New England organizers. Its most important provisions are these:

The agreement will last for four years, beginning July 2011. Each year both parties will have the option to dissolve the partnership if they chose.
NERCOMP will act as THATCamp New England’s banker, accepting donations and disbursing funds on its behalf.
THATCamp New England and NERCOMP will cooperate in organizing shared events that benefit both of their constituencies.
NERCOMP will donate $3,000 per year to THATCamp New England operating expenses.

This partnership has the approval of the THATCamp New England organizers and we expect the approval of the NERCOMP board soon. We also have the blessing of CHNM via Amanda French. We plan to sign the memorandum in a couple of weeks. But since THATCamp New England is a community-organized event, we want to give you a chance to comment publicly. Leave your thoughts below by Friday, July 9. After that, we’ll feel free to put the agreement into place.

THATCamp New England 2011 Coming to Brandeis University, October 22

Lincoln Mullen — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:05:45 +0000

Brandeis University is pleased to announce that it will host the second annual THATCamp New England, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Department of History, Mandel Center for the Humanities, Library and Technology Services, and Office of the Provost. Here is the basic information about the 2011 THATCamp New England.

When: The main THATCamp will be held all day on Saturday, October 22, 2011. A BootCamp will be held the Friday afternoon before, October 21. See the schedule for more information.

Where: The conference will be held at Brandeis’s Mandel Center for the Humanities. Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. See the location and directions page for more information.

More information will follow soon.