Technology is not limited to just engineers and computer scientists. At UCF, creativity also thrives in the College of Arts and Humanities. The university’s Center for Humanities and Digital Research (CHDR) is merging the arts with technology, establishing a platform for collaboration and innovative research. The center is creating a national model for interdisciplinary work that involves students and engages with the community.
CHDR embodies a philosophy of connecting traditional human creativity with cutting-edge technology, providing a space where scholars, students, and the community can unite to utilize digital tools for improved research and understanding. This approach aligns with UCF’s mission as Florida’s leading engineering and technology university, emphasizing the importance of the humanities in a technology-driven world. UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright emphasized the significance of CHDR’s work during the unveiling of its expanded facilities, highlighting the center as a crucial hub for innovation.
Through this perspective, CHDR showcases impactful initiatives like the Samuel Johnson Dictionary Project, which not only revitalizes historical scholarship but also links modern readers to centuries-old linguistic traditions. This project focuses on digitizing and making accessible Samuel Johnson’s landmark 18th-century dictionary, providing researchers and the public with a valuable resource for studying the evolution of the English language. Volunteers and students contribute by encoding entries, verifying definitions, and adding historical context.
Project lead and UCF Professor Beth Young emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts, including contributions from UCF students, in expanding the project’s impact and effectiveness. Volunteers enrich their academic experiences and deepen the collective understanding of language and its historical contexts.
CHDR also leads impactful projects like the Veterans Legacy Program, which involves students in preserving and sharing the stories of veterans, and the Florida France Soldiers’ Stories project, which documents the experiences of Floridians who served in World War II. These projects demonstrate CHDR’s commitment to enriching research, fostering connections with the community, and empowering students to actively participate in documenting and sharing history.
The recent expansion of the center, supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities challenge grant and a donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, has allowed CHDR to grow both physically and in terms of scope. With new equipment and additional staff, CHDR can undertake more ambitious projects, expanding UCF’s impact in digital humanities research.
By creating an environment where technology and the humanities intersect, the Center for Humanities and Digital Research serves as a vital space for inspiration, collaboration, and exploration. It aims to build a future that is not only innovative but also informed by history.
The ongoing projects at CHDR promise to enhance student experiences, strengthen the university’s connection with the community, and pave the way for new ideas and partnerships to emerge from this exciting fusion of disciplines. In addition to the Johnson’s Dictionary project, CHDR is actively involved in work with ELLE – The Endless Learner, People, Religion, Information Networks, and Travel – Migration in the Early Modern World (PRINT), RICHES, and more.