NEWS Humlab’s research programme Media Places is part of the Wallenberg Network Initiative — a venture that is to contribute towards increased collaboration between Stanford University and the universities in Umeå and Lund.
TWENTY OR SO RESEARCHERS from Umeå and Stanford will be taking part in Media Places, and in general one can say that they are all interested in what happens in society when digital technology and digital means of communication increase their grip. How is the new technology influencing people’s involvement and influence? How is the new technology changing our ways of seeing and investigating things?
Researchers from the two universities regularly visit each other’s seats of learning. At least twice a year representatives travel from Stanford to Umeå some for the annual conference organised in connection with Media Places and some for shorter or longer visits. Fred Turner is a Professor of Media Sciences at Stanford University and has visited Umeå and Humlab (laboratory for digital humanities) several times.
“Something that’s struck me when I’ve been at Humlab is that the feeling and the culture there are very similar to those at Stanford. All the researchers are working hard on their own projects, but are also spending time challenging and broadening others’ knowledge. Thanks to the enthusiasts who are driving activities forwards, Humlab has succeeded in integrating technology, social networks and intellectual work in a unique way.”
The Wallenberg Foundations are funding Media Places 2011—2016, and they have long been committed to Stanford University. Amongst other things, they have contributed to the funding of Wallenberg Hall — a building for interactive teaching, research and collaboration, equipped with advanced technology and specially adapted equipment. The researchers from Stanford who are involved in Media Places come from several institutions — including the Department of Communication, the Department of History and the Graduate School of Education, and have Wallenberg Hall as a joint meeting point. Experiences from Humlab have been important to the planning of the far-reaching renewal now taking place at Wallenberg Hall.
WALLENBERG HALL is an interesting object of study for the researchers within Media Places, who also hope to be able to develop and challenge the infrastructure of humanistic research.
“Nowadays, many researchers cannot just rely on the archive and the library the traditional places for humanistic research, even though they are still important resources. We mustn’t be afraid to try out technology that may further the research methodology used in the humanities, and through Media Places we are getting the chance to do this together with Stanford, one of the world’s most successful universities. It’s an incredibly inspiring collaboration — for both parties — and something we both see as being a long-term commitment that goes beyond individual ventures,” explains Patrik Svensson, Humlab’s representative.
MEDIA PLACES has attracted much attention at Stanford, and Ann Arvin, vice-provost and dean of research there, has visited Humlab and Umeå University to find out more.
“It’s important to believe in yourself. I’m convinced that Humlab, and other parts of Umeå University, can be world-leading. But you have to be humble and realise how much you can benefit from the help of others,” says Patrik Svensson.
TEXT: ELIN ANDERSSON
This article was featured in the June 2013 issue of Aktum, the magazine for faculty and staff at Umeå University.