Heldig - Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities provides a new kind of platform for addressing the challenges of digitalization, based on multi- and interdisciplinary research and collaboration in humanities, social sciences, and computer science. By fostering collaboration and by sharing research infrastructures not only within the University of Helsinki but with other organizations in the Helsinki area and beyond, relevant research problems and data can be found, unnecessary duplicate work can be eliminated, and more resources be targeted to Digital Humanities research and education. Heldig is funded in 2016-2020 as part of the profiling measures of the Academy of Finland and the University of Helsinki. As part of the activity, eight new professor positions related to Digital Humanities will be established in seven faculties of the University of Helsinki.
This kick-off symposium officially starts the activities of Heldig. The programme first gives an introduction on how and why Heldig was established, and how it fits into the strategy of the University of Helsinki and its faculties. After this, the roadmap of Heldig is outlined for 2016-2020. Before the break, an invited talk giving larger international perpectives to Digital Humanities research and research centres is given.
The latter part of the symposium consists of talks relating the area of Digital Humanities to activities in major Finnish cultural heritage organizations, i.e., libraries, museums, and archives, as well as to initiatives for national research infrastructures, open research, and open science. After this, a general discussion is opened to wrap up the presentations. The symposium ends with a kick-off toast to Heldig and networking in the lobby.
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Opening: The Story behind Heldig | Arto Mustajoki, Dean, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Arts |
| 13:15 | Digital Humanities and University of Helsinki | Anna Mauranen, Vice-Rector, University of Helsinki |
| 13:30 | Digital Humanities and Law -- A Perspective from Faculties Participating in Heldig | Kimmo Nuotio, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki |
| 13:45 | Roadmap 2016-2020 for Heldig - Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities | Eero Hyvönen, Director, University of Helsinki, Heldig, and Aalto University |
| 14:00 | Digital Humanities as Curated and Collaborative Place: Ideas, Infrastructures and Intersections | Patrik Svensson, Professor, University of Umeå |
| 15:00 | Coffee break, networking | |
| 15:30 | Digital Humanities and Libraries | Kai Ekholm, Chief Librarian, National Library of Finland |
| 15:45 | Digital Humanities and Museums | Vesa Hongisto, Director of Department, National Board of Antiquities |
| 16:00 | Digital Humanities and Archives | Vili Haukkovaara, Development Manager, National Archives of Finland |
| 16:15 | Digital Research Infrastructures and Open Science in Finland | Pirjo-Leena Forsström, Director, CSC Ltd, and Open Science and Research Initiative |
| 16:30 | Discussion: Perspectives to Digital Humanities | Mikko Tolonen, Professor, University of Helsinki, Dept. of Modern Languages |
| 17:00 | Sparkling wine, networking |
The Heldig Kick-off Symposium is open and free for everybody, but registration is required for catering: Register here