Building DH training events
James Cummings · 2019
This chapter looks at the creation of intensive international digital humanities training events, the nature of these events, and different strategies—pedagogical and organisational—for facilitating them. It uses the evolution of the Digital Humanities at the University of Oxford Summer School (DHOxSS) as a case study to explore the kind of challenges faced in setting-up and sustaining an ongoing training event. Topics covered include: the structure of the event; situating the event within its host institution; collaboration of workshop tutors; pedagogical methods; attendee expectations; provision of scholarships; diversity inclusivity issues; inclusion of social events; event funding; and event outcomes and outputs. While using DHOxSS as the main example, reference is also made to DH training events from other contexts, specifically the European Summer University in Digital Humanities (ESUDH) and Digital Humanities Summer Institute (DHSI). The chapter also reflects on the sustainability of DH training models in the context of academic institutions, arguing that, where possible, open collaboration and contributions based on goodwill produce a better training experience for participants, but also create a number of significant problems. It is hoped that the lessons learned from these DH training events will benefit those looking to set up similar activities in their own institutions.