Overview
WP3 combines research, training, dissemination and networking, and includes a number of disciplines, especially digital humanities, manuscript studies, philology, curating and preservation.
Although the specific focus of WP3 are collections of medieval manuscripts, the collections of papyri are also relevant for WP3 – the cross-fertilization will be possible thanks to overlapping secondments at NKP, as well as through joint outreach activities. Contemporary manuscript collections are sometimes in direct continuity with the medieval ones (KLN and Gall), other times they are modern creations (NKP, UWr). Libraries and archives usually curate and preserve their holdings with little collaboration across institutions. As for recovering the medieval collections, virtual libraries have become a common and appreciated means of facing the challenge. They too, however, are created and managed primarily locally. NKP is the host of the project Manuscriptorium, the largest repository of digital images of medieval manuscripts. Nevertheless, since it contains much other data from different periods, it is not the first choice of many researchers.
WP3 does not expect to unite the relevant current projects, which are always tied by the rules of local funding and institutional strategies. It does aim, however, at creating an environment in which expertise and experience will be actively shared. It also aims at jointly producing set of advice for new projects in the field, to help new endeavours avoid the past mistakes and build on the work already done. WP3 will also do its best to create interoperability of the existing databases and contribute to FAIRification of the data. Large as the PAMELA network is, it does not include all (or even most) institutions that would be relevant to fulfil this task. Representatives of other projects and institutions will be invited to take part in PAMELA workshops (covered from PAMELA’s indirect costs with the support of CU’s and NKP’s institutional funding) to ensure as much inclusivity as possible.
The WP3’s main objectives are the same across WPs:
- O1 Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research into written cultural heritage. Exploring and applying new methods of preservation of medieval manuscript collections, including their virtual re-creation in an interoperable and inter-connected environment.
- O2 Training for early career researchers. Providing a series of expert interdisciplinary trainings combining book history studies with digital humanities and curating.
- O3 Dissemination to wider public. Raising public awareness of the importance of medieval manuscript collections. Making public engaged and able to approach these sources.
- O4 Networking, interconnections, international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Tasks
T3.1 Research (O1)
Conduct cutting-edge research on medieval collections. Discuss the experience, advantages and disadvantages of existing projects, create report on good practice and methodologies. Attempt to interconnect the existing projects securing interoperability and FAIRification of data. Publish ground-breaking OA research results.
D10 Report on efficiency and good practice in virtual re-creation of medieval manuscript collections, and other research publications (OA, M45)
D11 Publications on cutting-edge methodologies in manuscript research, and other research publications (OA, M48)
T3.3 Training (O2)
Provide innovative interdisciplinary training in approaching medieval manuscript collections to early career researchers.
Training early career researchers – Hackathon II (Cam, M19). The second training in Cambridge will explore new scientific methods focused on the “entropy of the manuscript page”. It will be delivered by UCAM and QMUL experts in manuscript studies, heritage science and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to learn about the application of heritage science methodologies to manuscript research culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore the online presentation of information about heritage science methodologies to a wider public audience.
Training early career researchers – Hackathon III (Cam, M31). The third training in Cambridge will focus on medieval libraries and their virtual recreation. It will be delivered by UCAM and QMUL experts in manuscript studies, library history and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to explore sources and digital tools relevant to the history and reconstruction of collections culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore online presentation and visualisation of data relating to the reconstruction of medieval libraries.
T3.4 Dissemination (O3)
Create at least two exhibitions and two overseas dissemination opportunities.
D12 Exhibition on late medieval manuscripts from the convent of St. Catharine (StGall, M24)
D13 Klosterneuburg manuscript exhibition (KLN, M36)
Otsuma: Dissemination and Outreach (M44). Visiting PAMELA partners and host institution will jointly work on an exhibition at the latter’s museum comparing medieval European and East Asian manuscript traditions. The exhibit will be accompanied by events (lectures and a symposium) open to the local public. The event (second of PAMELA’s activities taking place in Tokyo) will enable a team of early career researchers with several supervisors to conduct research dissemination activities in a very different cultural environment. The challenge is intentional: the incoming team should be encouraged to think outside the box and focus on making intercultural connections, showing the relevance of studying European medieval collections from the perspective of Japanese literacy practices.
UMac: Dissemination and outreach (M26). The dissemination event (second PAMELA’s secondment taking place in Syd) will use the local resources for creating interactive outputs promoting the local collection. Local students as well as colleagues from other disciplines will be included in workshops and networking. Specific theme to be explored is modern uses and abuses of papyri and manuscripts – taking advantage of the local expertise in medievalism.
T3.5 Management (O4)
CU will be responsible for the overall project management and drafting the progress and final report, which should then be approved by all partners.
D2 Progress report (CU, M24)
D3 Mid-Term Meeting (CU, M13)
CU will be responsible preparing the report, as well as for organizing the mid-term meeting in collaboration with all the partners. Preparing the report will take advantage of physical meetings during secondments.
Fulfilling objective O4 is part of every task (T3.1–3). For the roles of beneficiaries and associated partners, see the Deliverables.
Deliverables
- D3.1 – Report on efficiency and good practice in virtual re-creation of medieval manuscript collections and other research publications
- D3.2 – Publications on cutting-edge methodologies in manuscript research and other research publications
- D3.3 – Exhibition on late medieval manuscripts from the convent of St Catharine
- D3.4 – Klosterneuburg manuscript exhibition