Discovering DH: Honoring Women’s Stories
The event features presentations from women faculty showcasing their scholarship in the digital humanities
WACO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2024) – The University Libraries, College of Arts & Sciences and the Office of the Provost at Baylor University will host a joint event – Discovering DH: Honoring Women’s Stories – featuring five presentations from women faculty highlighting their scholarship in the digital humanities.
The presentations begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in room 104 of the Moody Memorial Library, 1312 S. Third St. This event is free and open to the public both in-person and online – space is limited and registration is required.
Featured speakers are:
Sarah Walden, Ph.D., associate professor of rhetoric in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) in the Honors College and the associate director of the BIC;
Leslie Hahner, Ph.D., professor and graduate program director in the Department of Communication;
Heidi Hornik, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Art and Art History and professor of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art history;
Mandy McMichael, Ph.D., associate director of Ministry Guidance in the Department of Religion and The David J. Slover Associate Professor of Ministry Guidance; and
Stephanie Boddie, Ph.D., associate professor of church and community ministries.
The presentations will highlight different topics within digital humanities, an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the use of digital tools and data science methods such as data visualization, text mining, mapping and digital exhibition within the humanities.
“Baylor women faculty will present their groundbreaking research in digital humanities, an approach that allows them to archive and document the obstacles that mothers, female artists, intellectuals, women of faith and religious leaders have faced throughout history,” said Theresa Kennedy, Ph.D., professor of French and director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Baylor.
Women make up more than half of the Baylor student population and nearly half of Baylor’s faculty. The event is a unique way to honor the contributions of women faculty on Baylor’s campus and kicks off a series of events during Women’s History Month at Baylor.
“To use a metaphor from the Bible, there is a great cloud of witnesses,” said Stephen Breck Reid, Ph.D., vice provost for faculty diversity and belonging. “Many of those witnesses come from more diverse settings than we ever imagined before – a more diverse set of researchers and digital resources that Baylor and the world have allowed us to study.”
The three-part series, Discovering DH, began in February 2023 with Honoring African American Stories and continued with Honoring Hispanic Stories in October 2023. This presentation of Discovering DH will conclude the series, but organizers hope that attendees leave with a greater recognition of digital humanities and the contributions of often underrepresented groups.
“The event showcases the broad and diverse ways that scholars use digital humanities to recognize the significance of women’s contributions to society,” said Kimberly Kellison, Ph.D., associate professor of history and associate dean for humanities and social sciences in the College of Arts & Sciences. “I hope the event provides students, faculty and staff a greater understanding of and appreciation for the humanities.”
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.
ABOUT THE BAYLOR UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
The Baylor Libraries lead as an innovative research library that undergirds scholarship, fosters teaching and learning and builds communities. Comprised of Moody and Jones Libraries along with world-renowned special collections that include Armstrong Browning Library and Museum, The Texas Collection and University Archives, The Institute for Oral History, the Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society and the W. R. Poage Legislative Library, the Libraries drive research at Baylor University and beyond. For more information, visit the Baylor Libraries website.