Announcing THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) Texas, a free “unconference” that focuses on the intersection of the humanities and information technology. It will be held at Rice University in Houston, Texas on April 15-16. Please consider applying to participate in what promises to be a lively, interactive exploration of technology’s role in humanities teaching and research, featuring discussions, demonstrations and hands-on training workshops.
What’s a THATCamp?
At unconferences such as THATCamp, participants set the agenda. Prior to arriving at THATCamp, participants write brief blog posts describing topics they would be interested in discussing. At the start of the event on April 16, we’ll identify common themes and collectively determine the schedule for the rest of the day. Past THATCamps (in places such as Virginia, Paris, Australia, the Bay Area, and New Mexico) have included topics such as pedagogy, GIS mapping, electronic literature, digitization, text mining, social media, information visualization, and crowdsourcing—but what we explore at THATCamp is up to its participants. Think of a typical THATCamp session as a conversation or as a series of hands-on experiments rather than as a formal presentation; no one stands up at the front of the room and reads a paper, and everyone is invited to participate.
On April 15, THATCamp Texas will sponsor a free BootCamp, which will feature hands-on workshops on topics such as visualizing data, creating interactive, data-driven maps using GIS technologies, developing digital exhibits using Omeka, and setting up your own blog or web site using WordPress.
For more information about the THATCamp concept, see http://thatcamp.org/For more about THATCamp Texas, visit http://texas2011.thatcamp.org/
Who Should Attend?
Typically THATCamps attract students, faculty, librarians, technologists, museum professionals, public historians, curators, designers, archivists, and other folks working in the digital humanities and allied fields, but anyone with an interest in the digital humanities is welcome. THATCamp is deliberately “non-hierarchical and non-disciplinary.” You can be an expert or a newcomer—the only requirements are curiosity and a collaborative spirit.
How Do I Apply?
To apply, point your browser to http://texas2011.thatcamp.org/how-do-i-sign-up/and fill out the brief application form. Applications are due by March 11, and we’ll notify folks by March 18 if they’ve been accepted. (We’d like to accept everyone, but we only have space for about 80.)
What Does It Cost?
Nada. But if you were willing to kick in $20 to help cover the costs of food (free breakfast and lunch), we’d appreciate it. We’re grateful to Fondren Library at Rice University for sponsoring THATCamp Texas.
What If I Have Questions?
You can contact the organizers of THATCamp Texas (Lisa Spiro of Rice University, Andrew Torget of the University of North Texas, and Anita Riley of the University of Houston) by emailing thatcamptexas@gmail.com or by calling Lisa at 713-348-2594 or Andrew at or Andrew at 434-996-5741.
Digital Scholarship in the Humanities 