Digital Scholarship

What is "digital scholarship"? Perhaps the best way to define this new concept in scholarship is to examine just what it does. Digital Scholarship advances research by incorporating emerging digital tools and processes such as data visualization, network analysis, text-analytic techniques, GIS/mapping, and data-mining. By facilitating an environment of openness, it allows the work of scholars to reach audiences in ways once not possible. Digital Scholarship promotes collaboration by bringing together the scholar and the technology expert, crossing boundaries to exchange expertise. The recipient of a $1 million endowment, the Freedman Center is ready to embark on its mission to rethink its purpose as we move to become the support for Digital Scholarship at Case Western Reserve University.

In fall, a team of eight composed of staff representing the Freedman Center, Baker-Nord Center for Humanities, and ITS  toured Digital Scholarship centers at University of Virginia, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and North Carolina State University. Surveying services, resources, spaces, and staffing at these institutions, the group brought their thoughts to the table as a major step in moving forward. The next phase of discussions are happening, as we meet with identified people and departments on campus whose expertise and services will assist in creating and sustaining our new support model. An Advisory Committee is to be formed that will help steer the Freedman Center's focus, helping to define what Digital Schlolarship means to the campus, propose policies, advise on essential services and resources, and facilitate communication to share the message about the importance and impact of Digital Scholarship.

As we grow in concept and space, we look to:

• Offer services, connection to resources, and tools researchers need to take their scholarship to the next level
• Promote collaboration through new technology, bringing people together across disciplines, departments, and institutions
• Provide year-round workshops around Digital Scholarship that promote and educate
• Continue the support of faculty through the Freedman Fellows Program
• Improve our facility with new and upgraded equipment and software, including loanable items
• Celebrate and share the accomplishments of scholars at CWRU

To learn more about our plans for moving forward, we invite you to read our Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship: White Paper.

Our Team

• Jared Bendis, Creative New Media Officer
• Virginia Dressler, Digital Librarian
• Ann Holstein, GIS Specialist
• Cheryl Seme, Digital Scholarship Librarian
• Roger Zender, Team Leader for Digital Learning & Scholarship

Contact Us

The Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship welcomes your questions and input. You may e-mail us at freedmancenter@case.edu or give us a call, (216) 368-0932.