Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host Institution Support Beyond the Start Up Phase

FAIN: HK-50022-12

Ithaka Harbors, Inc. (New York, NY 10006-1895)
Nancy Maron (Project Director: January 2012 to July 2014)

An analytical report on institutional support frameworks and administrative attitudes toward sustaining digital humanities projects in higher education, as well as on-campus sustainability workshops and a research toolkit to facilitate the continuation of this research.

This project builds on the Ithaka Case Studies in Sustainability, which helped to surface the significance of the host institution as a key element in the survival of digital humanities projects. To unwrap the layers of assumptions concerning the sort of support a host institution is expected or hoped to be providing, this research will be based on a sector-wide scan to map key points in a project’s lifecycle when the host institution is likely to play a role and "deep dives" at two institutions to develop an in-depth picture of the range of digital humanities projects on these campuses. By examining the institutional support ecosystem and the value system that undergirds it, we will provide both project leaders and university decision-makers the data, examples, and guidance they need, including a toolkit to conduct their own research, to work together to encourage the long-term sustainability of the digital humanities resources that continue to enrich the scholarly landscape.

Associated Products

Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host Institution Support beyond the Start-up Phase (Report)
Title: Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host Institution Support beyond the Start-up Phase
Author: Sarah Pickle
Author: Nancy L. Maron
Abstract: As more and more scholars experiment with building digital humanities (DH) resources, how are their host institutions approaching the challenge of supporting these diverse projects over time? In this study, Ithaka S+R explores the different models colleges and universities have adopted to support DH outputs on their campuses. This final report, Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host-Institution Support beyond the Start-Up Phase, and the accompanying Sustainability Implementation Toolkit, are intended to guide faculty, campus administrators, librarians, and directors of support units as they seek solutions for their institutions.
Date: 06/18/2014
Primary URL: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/research-publications/sustaining-digital-humanities
Primary URL Description: Landing page for Sustaining the Digital Humanities (final report and toolkit)
Secondary URL: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/sites/default/files/SR_Supporting_Digital_Humanities_20140618f.pdf
Secondary URL Description: FINAL REPORT: Sustaining the Digital Humanities
Access Model: Both the report and toolkit are freely available on the Ithaka S+R website

Ithaka S+R Sustainability Implementation Toolkit (Web Resource)
Title: Ithaka S+R Sustainability Implementation Toolkit
Author: Sarah Pickle
Author: Nancy L. Maron
Abstract: What do the digital humanities look like on your campus? What types of projects are your faculty undertaking? Which will require longer-term support, and where will that support come from? What roles do your service units, centers, and digital labs play in the various life-cycle stages, and is this clear to faculty? This toolkit will help administrators create a coherent institutional strategy for supporting digital humanities activities and the valuable outputs that they generate. The toolkit walks you through three steps, each with its own set of instructions and supporting materials. Step 1 will help you evaluate who on your campus is creating digital projects, the problems they are facing, and where they are finding help now. Step 2 offers a framework to analyze where there are overlaps and gaps in the services offered by various units on campus, for all stages of the digital project lifecycle. Step 3 provides tools to facilitate meetings with key stakeholders to develop plans to support faculty and their digital research projects in a way that is in line with campus mission and priorities.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/research-publications/sustainability-implementation-toolkit
Primary URL Description: The Sustainability Implementation Toolkit include three stages of activities needed to develop a campus-wide strategy for supporting digital humanities outputs. It contains multiple downloadable documents and customizable templates.

New Report—Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host Institution Support beyond the Start-Up Phase - See more at: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/blog-individual/new-report-sustaining-digital-humanities-host-institution-support-beyond-start-phase#sthash.qP68FfJt.d (Blog Post)
Title: New Report—Sustaining the Digital Humanities: Host Institution Support beyond the Start-Up Phase - See more at: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/blog-individual/new-report-sustaining-digital-humanities-host-institution-support-beyond-start-phase#sthash.qP68FfJt.d
Author: Nancy Maron
Abstract: Announcement of the New Report (Ithaka S+R website)
Date: 6/18/2014
Primary URL: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/blog-individual/new-report-sustaining-digital-humanities-host-institution-support-beyond-start-phase
Primary URL Description: Ithaka S+R website
Website: sr.ithaka.org

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