Our Digital Transformations project – what happened next

This AHRC-funded Digital Transformations project (see about the project) only ran from February to September 2012. It was one of the first batch of Digital Transformations awards, under the Research Development Grants Scheme.

So looking at this site in December 2013, the material here seems a bit out of date. But did we stop thinking about digital transformations in the arts and humanities in August 2012? No, of course we did not!

For instance, here are a few things I have done, in connection with the digital transformations theme, since then:

• Collaborated with Amy Twigger Holroyd – a collaboration forged in our AHRC-funded workshops – on applying for, and then running, an AHRC-funded mini network about creative research methods.
• Gave a talk about digital transformations in relation to books, Transforming Books.
• Interviewed at the LEGO Idea House about digital transformations in play and learning.
• Worked with the LEGO Foundation and an international network of academics to produce the report, Cultures of Creativity.
• Launched a new project about everyday creativity, Making Things With Makers About Making.
• Gave keynote presentations at both the World Maker Faire in New York City (with Mitch Resnick) and the first European Maker Faire in Rome.
• Wrote (amongst other things) an article offering ‘Six theses about making things in a digital world‘.

There is, I think, much thinking still to be done about the full meaning and implications of digital transformations in the arts and humanities.

At the moment there are innovative bits of practice – some of them really impressive – which make use of digital tools, technologies or resources in new ways. But in terms of rethinking the practice of arts and humanities research for the 21st century, I think there is still a lack of innovative spark, and leadership. So that’s something I want to work on.