THATCamp co-organizers Maya Bielinkski and Emily Murphy.

One student wants to learn how to further her own research and reach new audiences using digital tools. Another is interested in looking at the relationship between text and image. A third wants to learn how digital tools can make rare materials more accessible to audiences, and how technology changes the way we interact with art objects.

That’s why all three students will be attending THATCamp when it sets up at Queen’s in February. Part of a worldwide network, THATCamps (The Humanities and Technology Camps) provide humanists and technologists of all skill levels the opportunity to learn and build together in sessions proposed on the spot.

THATCamp is also known as an “unconference”. It’s open to scholars, students, librarians and archivists seeking to explore the intersections between technology and the humanities.

“We’re hoping to initiate a strong digital humanities community at Queen’s, and to build relationships among researchers, students, archivists, and librarians from around the region,” says Emily Murphy, co-organizer of THATCamp QueensU2013.

She adds that despite the buzz, may newcomers from the traditional humanities lack opportunities to connect with experienced digital humanities practitioners who can help conceptualize, model, and launch a project, or teach the skills necessarily to realize research projects.

“The philosophy that supports the THATCamp movement values collaboration,” says co-organizer Maya Bielinski, “We are excited about the opportunity for members of the Queen’s, Kingston, and Eastern Ontario digital humanities communities to get together to work and talk about how technology can interface with our study of the humanities.”

THATCamp QueensU2013 is hosted by Queen’s University Libraries, in partnership with a group of graduate students. The inaugural event will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 9:30 am to 5 pm in Douglas Library. The event is free and open to everyone.

More information is available on the THATCamp website. Registration closes February 3, 2013.