Recently published in the Journal of Visualization and Interaction, Sofia Cretaio and Chiara L. Remondino (both at Polytechnic of Turin, Italy), have authored their peer-reviewed article, “Greetings From. . . A Workshop to Visualise Unexpected Stories of a Place Through Data Postcards,” which addresses their workshop, “Greetings from Naples,” and their exploratory workshop format developed at the Innovation Design Lab in Turin that uses data visualization as a tool for critically examining urban spaces, and their realities, sounds, scents, and rhythms. Drawing on Systemic Innovation Design Methodology, the format guides participants through a process of data collection, mapping, and visualization to produce a collective Databook of a given territory.

In particular, Cretaio and Remondino share how the communicative and emotional value of data visualizations. The piece presents a case study from a three-day workshop in Naples’ Quartieri Spagnoli neighborhood, where students from diverse backgrounds gathered and visualized local data using postcards as their medium. The resulting collection offers a multivocal portrait of place and demonstrates the format’s potential as a replicable model for urban research and community-centered design. Their data pedagogy included goals for participants to: “learn visual synthesis of data visualization to convey a meaningful message; explore the diversity of data visualization and data language, and how its use can highlight otherwise undetectable connections and insights; create a method and starting point for the design process to define needs and potentialities of a chosen context; and to enhancing the multidisciplinary approach to frame the context of analysis and its dynamics in an entirely and objective manner.”

This work will be of interest to digital humanities library professionals interested in the intersections of embodied data visualization and data literacy, along with the #dhmakes movement. The authors have made their materials freely available on OSF, including workshop materials to iterate it in your local setting, as well as images of the participants’ resulting postcards.

Complexhibit 2026 will be held on 30 June through 2 July 2026 in Málaga, Spain, under the theme, “Cultural Complexity and Computational Approaches: Toward a Systemic and Critical Understanding of Cultural Ecosystems.” Registration is free. The transdisciplinary event explores multiple themes, including cultural dynamic and historical change; cultural infrastructures, knowledge and evidence; and, responsibility, data governance and sustainability. From the announcement:

The conference is situated within a consolidated research landscape spanning (i) systems-oriented cultural theory and cultural sociology; (ii) the methodological and epistemic debates of Digital Humanities around scale, evidence, and interpretation; (iii) complexity science and network-based approaches to cultural history; and (iv) Semantic Web traditions in knowledge organization and cultural interoperability.

Computational approaches are central not as an end in themselves, but as a means to theorize, model, and evaluate cultural complexity with explicit assumptions and interpretive accountability. Therefore, “computational” designates more than a toolkit; it signals a methodological and epistemic orientation that foregrounds:

• Formal representation of cultural knowledge: conceptual modeling, ontologies, knowledge graphs, explicit source traceability (provenance), and qualified claims (uncertainty, disagreement, approximation).
• Computational modeling and analysis: network science, temporal dynamics, simulation, statistical inference, and—where appropriate—causal or counterfactual reasoning.
• NLP for cultural discourse: from criticism and catalogues to archives and platform communication, emphasizing rhetoric, valuation, and contestation.
• Cultural data science: grounded in evaluation, interpretability, bias analysis, and epistemic accountability.
• Reproducibility and governance: documentation, FAIR principles, licensing constraints, and infrastructural sustainability.

Proposals for paper presentations (20 minutes), panels/roundtables, and workshops, are currently being accepted through 15 May 2026 (23:59 CET), via email (digitalarthistory[at]uma.es).

Submissions for the International Digital Curation Conference (IDCC) 2027 are now open. The conference will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 9-12, 2027, with the theme of FAIR DO’s: Centering People in the Stewardship and Curation of Digital Objects. For more information on the topic,  visit the Conference Theme webpage. Proposals for accepted formats include papers, lightening talks, posters, demonstrations, and workshops. Key dates for submissions and acceptance vary, but information for each format can be found in the call for proposals.

Access Conference Committee is now inviting proposals for Access 2026. Hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Access 2026 is Canada’s annual library technology conference that “brings together people working with library systems, digital projects, and emerging technologies to share ideas, learn from each other, and build community.” The conference will take place from 14-16 October 2026.

From the call:

We’re looking for proposals (max 300 words) for the following formats:

• Presentations (20 minutes including Q&A) – Share your work, a project, a case study, or something you’ve learned. This can be technical or conceptual, but should be relevant to a broad audience.
• Keynote presentations (60 minutes including Q&A) – Long form presentation to provide more details and get into bigger topics than a regular presentation slot will allow.
• Panels (60 minutes, including Q&A) – Self-organized sessions with multiple speakers offering different perspectives on a topic.
• Lightning Talks (5 minutes) – Short, focused talks about new ideas, works in progress, or things you want to share quickly.
• Posters – Present your work in a visual format during a dedicated poster session. Posters are a great way to share projects, ideas, or early-stage work and engage in informal conversations with attendees.
• Workshops/Hackfest – We are also seeking proposals for workshops and Hackfest activities, which will take place on October 14, 2026 for hands-on sessions or collaborative activities. These will be hosted in a lab with computer stations.

The committee welcomes proposals on any aspect of library technology and suggest that “if you’re not sure your topic fits—send it anyway!”

Submission deadline is Saturday 6 June 2026.

Funding cuts to international development assistance are threatening the digital archives, records, and datasets held by UN agencies, NGOs, and faith-based organizations. In response, the creators of the Humanitarian Archive Toolkit, the Humanitarian Archive Emergency (HAE), which is a global initiative led by the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester, with support from the Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust, and partner organizations, is conducting a worldwide census to identify which collections are most at risk and what would be lost without action. The project aims to identify which bodies of humanitarian knowledge are most endangered, understand the threats driving that risk, and assess what would be lost if preservation action is not taken. As they note, “it is not an inventory exercise or a data rescue intervention: it is the evidentiary foundation on which any informed, equitable response must be built.”

To submit an example to the project registry, fill out their survey. Data is stored on GDPR-compliant servers, and no personal identifying information will be shared or retained beyond the project’s end in October 2026.

The DigitalArc team is seeking reviewers for its community-archiving toolkit. The DigitalArc Toolkit provides adaptable guidelines for local communities to document and share their own stories, on their terms, through the creation and ongoing management of their digital archives. This process includes: planning, collecting stories, prepping personal and community records, and publishing the stories. Funded by the Digital Justice Development Grant program at the American Council of Learned Societies, their goal is to support local communities in documenting and preserving their stories.

The team’s aim with this review process is to improve the Toolkit, ensuring that it can clearly and concisely communicate with community members outside of academic or other institutional contexts. What works well and what needs tweaking? As a reviewer, you may choose to remain anonymous or identify yourselves throughout the process.

If you are interested in participating in this open peer review, please have a look at the instructions. The team would like to gather feedback by 29 May 2026.

Forward any questions to the DigitalArc team at digitalarcplatform[at]gmail.com.

From the announcement:

The Digital Scholarship Librarian is a Faculty Librarian in the University Library System reporting to the Head of Digital Scholarship & Publishing. The position supports researchers and students in creating, accessing, transforming, analyzing, visualizing, and sharing data and digital content in support of research, learning, and publishing at the University of Pittsburgh. Through consultations, instruction, outreach, and collaborative initiatives, this position supports digital research practices and data literacies in a wide variety of disciplines, largely concentrated in the humanities and social sciences, which engage with qualitative data and digital sources in the form of unstructured text, network data, images, and/or audiovisual materials.

The position draws on a broad knowledge of research data practices, communicates clearly and effectively with researchers and colleagues, and monitors and creatively responds to emerging digital scholarship needs across the University. In addition, the Digital Scholarship Librarian will maintain specialized expertise in Digital Humanities research methods and tools for working with qualitative data, such as text encoding, text data mining (TDM), network analysis, data visualization, and/or digital storytelling.

The position also maintains a liaison relationship to position-related departments or programs as assigned. The liaison role includes proactively building relationships and partnerships with faculty, staff, and students in the assigned departments; staying current with user needs; promoting awareness and use of Library resources and support, including those in other library units and departments (e.g., Archives & Special Collections); developing curricular and co-curricular engagement opportunities; and providing academic and research support for students.

As a member of the Digital Scholarship & Publishing (DSP) unit, the Digital Scholarship Librarian will collaborate with colleagues in providing DSP’s core digital scholarship services, including support for digital project management and collaboration tools, digital publishing and web-based content creation, principles of open scholarship, and critical and ethical perspectives on digital scholarship.

Responsibilities:

· Provide instruction and consultation for students, faculty, and researchers on a variety of tools and practices for working with qualitative data, including data cleaning and transformation, web scraping, text and data mining (TDM), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), data visualization, data sharing in research repositories, and qualitative data analysis.

· Perform outreach to educate the campus community about digital scholarship and qualitative data.

· Foster conversations and collaborations on digital scholarship and computational research practices in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

· Collaborate with ULS colleagues to develop strategic initiatives in support of Digital Humanities research and instruction.

· Maintain awareness of the evolving landscape of practices and infrastructure for digital project management, reproducible research, and humanities data sharing.

· Support user development of data literacies alongside the other members of the Digital Scholarship & Publishing unit, particularly for research that makes use of qualitative data or digitized primary sources.

· Liaise to assigned academic departments, developing relationships, supporting the research & learning needs of departmental faculty, students, and staff while actively communicating library resources and services.

Librarians at the University of Pittsburgh are members of the faculty and are expected to demonstrate continuous professional development in addition to performing their specific responsibilities. This expectation includes such activities as participating in and contributing to departmental, library and campus-wide committees or working groups as well as the profession at a regional, national, and/or international level, maintaining a broad awareness of current and emerging issues that affect their disciplines and areas of expertise, participating in relevant publishing and presentation opportunities, and pursuing knowledge of professional trends and developments that can be applied to evolving research, services, and collections. Approximately 10% of the librarian’s time should be directed toward such activities and will be included as part of the annual evaluation.

Specifically, the incumbent in this position is expected to:

· Keep abreast of and contribute as appropriate to current developments in the profession, especially as they relate to digital scholarship and research data services.

· Contribute to the profession through publications, presentations, teaching, and other professional activities.

· Seek out appropriate roles in professional associations, research, and/or publication on the regional, national, and international level.

· Participate actively in ULS and campus-wide working groups and committees, as appropriate.

· The incumbent is also expected to contribute to the University community or the local community through service that utilizes their professional expertise.

This position performs a public services role and is conducted in-person from the Pittsburgh campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

Qualifications:

A successful Candidate for the Digital Scholarship Librarian will have the following required qualifications:

· A master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library/information sciences program, or another relevant advanced degree.

· Demonstrated knowledge of the following aspects of working with research data: data formats, data management practices, data transformation workflows, and systems for managing and sharing research data or digital assets.

· Demonstrated experience with R or Python as well as one or more applications for data transformation, visualization, or qualitative analysis (such as OpenRefine, QDA software, TDM software, and/or database systems).

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on a small team to identify and solve emerging and ambiguous problems.

· Ability to deliver effective instruction, in a variety of formats and settings, to higher education learners.

· Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

· A record of professional engagement and contribution.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Academic training or relevant research experience in the arts or humanities.

· At least 3 years of professional experience in a relevant setting. Experience may be in a library, or another setting related to research or instruction.

· Demonstrated knowledge of qualitative research methods and data curation principles.

· Demonstrated experience managing collaborative Digital Humanities projects.

· Demonstrated experience with applications for digital storytelling and/or website creation, such as digital publishing platforms or web content management systems.

· Evidence of strong commitment to user-centered library service and the ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast-paced environment with a culturally diverse population.

· Proven track record of cultural competence, understanding, and working with diverse racial, ethnic, religious, academic, socioeconomic, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity communities.

· Engagement with a well-established network of data services professionals within higher education and libraries.

From the announcement:

Job Overview
UC Libraries seeks a knowledgeable, motivated, creative, and service-oriented Qualitative Data Librarian to design, develop, and implement a cohesive and innovative suite of services focused on qualitative data such interview transcripts, focus groups, literature reviews, and other text-based data. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with researchers throughout the research lifecycle. This is a 12-month full time tenure-track library faculty position.

RELATIONSHIP/AUTHORITY: This position reports to the Assistant Director of Research and Data Services with a dotted line to the Assistant Director of Academic and Research Engagement and is a member of the Research and Data Services Team.

Essential Functions
Research Support

Develop and deliver innovative and sustainable research services throughout the research lifecycle focused on qualitative data management.
Collaborate with RDS team members and liaison librarians to implement research data management services and to support scholarly communication and digital scholarship.
Collaborate with CEAS faculty to support usage and developing programming for the data visualization space, DaVInCi@Langsam
Identify, champion, and implement best practices, tools, and services that meet researcher needs in research areas that generate qualitative data.
Promote reproducibility and ethics principles in study design and data collection.
Promotes Open Science principles and resources. Teaching
Provide instruction in the form of classroom, workshop and other venues as well as consultations to UC student, staff, and faculty researchers on data literacy, tools and resources, and AI applications in research including finding, using, cleaning, analyzing, and managing qualitative data.
Collections

Play a collaborative role in research data resource collection development including resources such as ICPSR, Qualitative Data Repository (QDR), and others. Service and Partnerships
Participate in committees, task forces, and organizations related to the duties and responsibilities of the position, and in support of UC Libraries’ broader programs and priorities.
Serve as a liaison to other research support offices/areas or other key points-of-contact to promote Research and Data services and other library data efforts.
Scholarship

Participate in scholarly, professional, and service activities that enhance the mission of UC Libraries and fulfills requirements for promotion and tenure.
Required Education
Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or an equivalent education in a qualitative data-intensive discipline (e.g., criminal justice, education, psychology, anthropology, sociology), and at least one (1) year of relevant professional experience.

Required Trainings/Certifications
N/A

Required Experience
Entrepreneurial attitude to developing researcher-centered services and instructional programs.
Demonstrated understanding of qualitative data and research trends (FAIR data, CARE principles, data sharing, research reproducibility, AI in research, etc.), techniques and tools (AtlasTI, NVivo, MaxQDA, Tableau, and R).
Ability to learn and apply innovative technologies to a broad range of library applications.
Effective written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Additional Qualifications Considered
Additional technical training in qualitative research methods and tools, or other data analysis areas such as spatial analysis.
Experience in an academic or research library environment.
Effective project management skills; experience coordinating and promoting services; experience communicating and collaborating with faculty.
Experience in grant writing, or a familiarity with federal funding requirements.
Knowledge of current instructional pedagogies.
Applications Process
Applications without a cover letter and CV/Resume will not be considered for the position.

3 References will be checked during final stages.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment
Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. (UC Benefits) Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Salary/Hourly Pay Rate Information: $63,000 – $68,000

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

Competitive salary range of $63,000 – $68,000 based on experience and qualifications
Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
Professional development & mentorship opportunities

From the announcement:

Job Summary:

Leads the team responsible for supporting key pedagogical and scholarly technologies, including geographic information systems, multimedia, learning management systems and more. Works with partners across campus to meet information and digital literacy goals. Provides strategic planning and operational support for faculty and students to integrate these technologies into their scholarship, teaching and learning. Delivers direct support for students, faculty and staff through instruction or mentoring; establishes the structures needed to support these tools; makes recommendations about supportive technology tools; and develops plans for expanding the impact of these technologies across campus.

Job Duties:

Reporting Relationship

• This role will report to the Dean, Library Sciences

Work Setting/Schedule

• In person job, with some flexibility throughout the academic year
• 40/hour per week job, 52 weeks per year
• Staff exempt

What You Will Do

• Elevates digital scholarship programs by building relationships across campus and with extended communities. Evaluates and champions the use of emerging technologies to enhance the university’s educational and research mission. Fosters new relationships with academics and community organizers, advancing departmental and organizational goals.
• Collaborates with students, faculty, and staff on projects that will benefit the University and contributes to innovative uses of technology in the classroom and in scholarship.
• Leads communication efforts for the department, creates and delivers workshops, trainings, and instructional opportunities. Coordinates and collaborates on events showcasing digital scholarship and pedagogy opportunities.
• Explores new and emerging technologies that advance the educational mission of the institution. Leads decision-making efforts on new technologies. Assesses legacy technologies and project lifecycles, and coordinates contracts, documentation, and logistics with Information Technology stakeholders.
• Works to position the University as a leader in sustainable digital scholarship infrastructure, ensuring a team approach to problem-solving around scholarly communications and  production workflows, metadata creation, and discovery systems. Mentors and manages direct reports.  Establishes goals for professional development and employee growth.
• The job description’s listed responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive; additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

What You Will Bring

Required:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field
• Six (6) years of relevant work experience
• Knowledge Areas and Skills: Demonstrated experience in teaching or training; Demonstrated record of successfully using technologies related to teaching and learning; Ability to define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound, independent technical recommendations.

Preferred, but not required:

• Doctoral Degree
• Eight (8) years of work experience
• Ability to write technical documentation
• Experience within higher education
• Experience in a leadership role(s)
• Knowledge Areas and Skills: Knowledge of pedagogical best practices in a university setting

Physical Requirements:

• Office environment/no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

80,000.00-100,000.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate’s credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role;
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

From the announcement:

Job Description:

Salary:

Open rank (Associate or Full Librarian) with an anticipated salary range of $80,250 to $107,000; this is inclusive of an administrative stipend that is renewable at established intervals.

Job Description:

Binghamton University Libraries seeks a collaborative, visionary, and service-oriented leader for the position of Assistant Director for Digital Scholarship Services. Located within the Research Services Department, this supervisory role provides leadership to a unit offering a range of current and emerging research services, such as support for scholarly communication and open publishing, computational research methods including artificial intelligence, research data management, and multimedia production. The portfolio also includes oversight of the Digital Scholarship Center, MakerLab, Data Studio, and Recording Studio. The Assistant Director will combine a commitment to public service with a forward-thinking approach to using emerging technologies and research methods, as well as evidence-based decision-making to continuously develop, implement, and assess library services in this portfolio.

This position is within a newly-reorganized Research Services department, which also includes Liaison Services, Special Collections, and Teaching and Learning, and presents a unique opportunity to shape Libraries services and ensure their success. The position reports to the Director for Research Services. The ideal candidate will have a background in academic library research services, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners. Leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills are essential.

Duties and Responsibilities

Librarianship:

• Leadership and Strategy
  • Strategic vision: Work with the Director for Research Services on strategic planning and unit goal setting; define priorities for unit projects, activities, and innovations; communicate progress with colleagues in the Libraries and across the University.
  • Service excellence: Develop and improve workflows that support emerging research services, including research data management, text and data mining, machine learning, and other computational methods; conduct consultations, lead workshops, and create other educational opportunities to instruct users in these research areas; raise awareness of transformative agreements and other support for open data and publishing; ensure Libraries services are in alignment with University needs and priorities.
  • Compliance: Work with the Director for Research Services and other members of Libraries leadership to ensure university policies and practices regarding copyright, digital accessibility, and data privacy are being met; ensure that MakerLab operations follow guidance from Environmental Health and Safety and other campus partners; stay abreast of any evolving campus or professional guidelines or expectations to ensure unit activities comply.
  • Embrace new challenges: Evaluate and recommend services and technology that support established and emerging research areas at Binghamton University.
  • Transform data into insight: Maintain accurate statistics and workflow documentation. Analyze data trends, provide reports and information to library administration, and incorporate results into decision-making processes.
  • Lead and shape digital scholarship practices: Actively engage in library consortia, professional organizations, and peer networks; advocate for and implement innovative approaches that advance the field; and foster collaborative relationships that improve the researcher experience.
• Supervision and Management
  • Team Leadership: Supervise the work of faculty and staff; collaboratively identify performance goals, conduct meaningful evaluations, and contribute to a supportive culture; mentor unit faculty and staff through career progression.
  • Collaborative communication: Foster communication among team members and with other library units.
  • Fiscal and ethical responsibility: Oversee and align expenditures with overall Libraries’ strategies and goals; responsible for facilitating policies for copyright/fair use, data privacy, and user safety.
  • Professional growth: Stay at the forefront of the field by pursuing professional development opportunities, and integrating new knowledge and skills into the work of the unit.
  • Foster Inclusivity: Participate in a work culture that promotes diversity and anti-racism and actively works to eliminate or mitigate the effects of systemic racism and bias.
• Scholarship:
  • Contribute significantly to the profession to meet the Libraries’ standards of scholarship.
• Service:
  • Participate in library, University and national service.

Requirements:

Minimum

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of experience in an academic or public library, or comparable environment, including at least two years in a position with responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:
  • digital scholarship
  • scholarly communications/copyright
  • computational research methods
  • research data management
  • maker technology
• Customer service skills and commitment to providing an excellent user experience in a diverse, fast-paced environment, including the ability to resolve issues in a professional and respectful manner.
• Record of scholarly activity, such as presentations, publications and/or grants.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends in academic research services, including research data management and the possibilities and limitations of machine learning and large language models.

Preferred

• Two years of supervisory experience and/or evidence of the ability to be an effective team leader who fosters an inclusive, efficient, and collegial workplace.
• Demonstrated experience improving workflows in library service areas by collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

Zhaleh Nayebossadrian (Sapienza University of Rome) has published “De-Silencing History: From Private Papers to Public Data in the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran Project” on The Digital Orientalist. Nayebossadrian describes the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran (WWQI) and the digital turn in Persian studies, noting that WWQI

represents a landmark project in documenting women’s lives during Iran’s Qajar era (1796-1925). Born from a convergence of “intellectual frustration” with the perceived lack of sources and new “technological possibility” (Najmabadi 2016). It aims to challenge the focus on political history in this field. Nevertheless, it is essential to go beyond mere celebration of digitization. James Dobson (2019) advocates for a “Critical Digital Humanities” approach that questions the methods and assumptions embedded in our tools. We must view WWQI not as a neutral reflection of the past, but as a project that actively shapes the future of the discipline (Ward and Wisnicki 2023). This paper provides a critical introduction to WWQI, assessing its resources, recognizing its technical limitations, and exploring its potential for future research.

Nayebossadrian notes that WWQI not only aggregates materials held in repositories, but also makes items from private family collections available to the broader public. WWQI moved from a private vendor to the Harvard Library’s Digital Repository Service (DRS) in 2012 in order to provide more sustainability to the project, but Nayebossadrian explains that “the platform faces usability and structural challenges.” Another challenge WWQI needs to wrestle with is one of archival silences:

The WWQI is a feminist intervention aimed at addressing the absence of women in traditional historiography. As Jacqueline Wernimont (2013) warns, we must ensure computational tools do not perpetuate patriarchal privileges of authority.

A critical examination reveals inherent biases. The “private family holdings” that form the backbone of the archive belonged primarily literate, urban elites. This risks reinforcing “digital archival silences” (Risam 2019), effectively “de-silences” gender, while amplifying the silence of rural and non-elite women.

Looking to WWQI’s future, Nayebossadrian says that “the archive’s next chapter should shift from passive preservation to active computational engagement” and focus on improving its platform and technical capabilities to convert “the archive’s rich metadata and manuscript contents into machine-readable formats.”