Summer School in Digital Palaeography

with a focus on Scholarly Editing

26 August–6 September 2024

The Institute for Digital Humanities at the University of Göttingen, in collaboration with the Göttingen State and University Library, and with generous support from the Volkswagen Foundation, is pleased to announce its annual international digital palaeography summer school.

The summer school is intended as an intensive training scheme for postgraduate students, in both traditional Latin palaeography and codicology, and in the latest digital technologies applicable in these disciplines. The focus is on how these fields interface with scholarly editing.

The programme will consist of sessions on the history of the script of Latin manuscript books in the medieval West, including transcription practice, in the mornings. Afternoon sessions will introduce students to digital methodologies and tools in fragmentology, codicology, editing, and cataloguing, as well as to TEI-XML and hyper- and multispectral imaging.

Successful applicants to the summer school will receive free accommodation for 13 nights (in individual self-catered rooms). We also aim to offer contributions towards their travel costs to those who require them.

Programme director: Dr. Anna Dorofeeva.

Programme

The final programme for 2024 is available here. The special guest lecturer in 2024 is Prof. Peter Stokes.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you are undertaking an MA, PhD or similar postgraduate degree, or if you will have completed one of these degrees within a few months of the summer school.

We cannot accept applications from professionals and undergraduate students (except those about to complete their degrees).

The summer school focuses on the Latin Middle Ages. Students of adjacent or distantly related fields may apply, but should carefully justify how the school programme will aid their studies or research.

No prior palaeographical or digital humanities experience is required, although a basic knowledge of both would be advantageous due to the intense nature of the summer school.

We strive to be inclusive to people of all backgrounds and needs. If you have any hesitation about applying, please get in touch with us to discuss your situation.

Sixteen places are available; approximately one in six applications is successful.

Application process

All applicants should submit the following in English:

1. An application form (fill out here)
2. A motivation letter (as a PDF; no longer than 2 pages)
3. A short CV (as a PDF; no longer than 1 page)

Please do not submit references: they will not be read.

In the motivation letter, applicants are requested to describe the following:

• How this summer school will enhance your graduate programme. Please describe, in detail, exactly how the school will help your research and/or study.
• Your level of Latin (a basic knowledge of Latin is mandatory).
• Your previous experience of computer technologies, including but not limited to file organisation, application environments, coding, and web/graphic design. How will the summer school address gaps in your knowledge?

The deadline for applications has been extended to 1 June 2024.

The teaching language is English.

Application documents and enquiries should be sent by email to Antony Henk, co-organiser of the summer school, at antony.henk@uni-goettingen.de. We aim to send decisions to all applicants by the middle of June at the latest.