EAJS Conference Grant Program in Jewish Studies
Report
EAJS Digital Forum Workshop 2023:
Digital Mapping Approaches to European Jewish History
28-31 October 2023, Wrocław, Poland
The workshop “Digital Mapping Approaches to European Jewish History” was convened by the Digital Forum of the EAJS in cooperation with the Taube Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Wroclaw. Held in Wrocław, Poland, from 28 to 31 October 2023, this event marked the inaugural workshop in a series organized by the Digital Forum as part of the EAJS training and outreach program on Digital Humanities (DH) in the field of Jewish Studies. The organization was spearheaded by Prof. Bart Wallet (University of Amsterdam), Dr. Oleksii Chebotarov (University of Vienna), Anna Zabraniak, and Prof. Marcin Wodziński (both from the University of Wrocław).
Event Overview and Goals
The workshop aimed to equip early career scholars, including advanced graduate students, with the requisite skills and knowledge to incorporate digital mapping methodologies into their research in European Jewish history. It offered a multifaceted program comprising lectures, practical sessions, and hands-on experiences tailored to the specific needs of scholars interested in digital mapping. Participants were instructed on processing and visualizing geospatial data, with a primary focus on the use of QGIS, a free and comprehensive mapping tool. The practical segments of the workshop were designed to enhance participants’ research capabilities, familiarize them with historical datasets, and provide opportunities for networking with experts and peers in both digital humanities and Jewish studies.
Participant Representation and Research Topics
The workshop attracted a diverse group of graduate students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral fellows from academic institutions across Europe, including Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Participants brought a wealth of research interests to the table, spanning a wide range of topics in Jewish studies. Noteworthy research themes included Jewish urban cultures in Western Europe, Jewish environmental history in the Middle East, Migration and mobility in Prague’s Jewish community, environmental history of Jewish communities on the Habsburg-Ottoman borderland, history of Yiddish theaters in Poland, cultural representations of the Jewish minority in Poland, discourses on the body in Jewish culture in the Polish lands, and heritage on Nazi persecution.
Theoretical Lectures and Practical Sections
The workshop program comprised both theoretical lectures and practical sections aimed at providing participants with both conceptual frameworks and hands-on experience. Theoretical lectures covered foundational concepts in digital history, historical (digital) mapping and its application to European Jewish studies. These sessions delved into topics such as the theoretical underpinnings of digital humanities, the use of spatial analysis in historical research, and the challenges surrounding the digitization and visualization of historical data. Practical sections were dedicated to imparting technical skills in digital mapping tools, with a focus on QGIS. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, where they learned to manipulate geospatial data, create maps, and analyze historical datasets under the guidance of instructors.
Reflection on Achievement of Goals
The workshop successfully achieved its objectives by providing participants with beginner level skills in digital mapping, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and facilitating knowledge exchange among scholars in the field of European Jewish history. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical training, participants gained valuable expertise that will enable them to integrate digital mapping methodologies into their research endeavors. Moreover, the workshop served as a platform for networking and establishing professional connections, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and research projects in the burgeoning field of digital humanities in Jewish studies.
Planned Outcomes and Future Initiatives
As a result of the workshop, participants expressed interest in pursuing collaborative projects and further training opportunities in digital mapping and Jewish studies. Planned outcomes include the development of digital mapping tools and resources for studying European Jewish history and the dissemination of research findings through scholarly publications and public outreach initiatives. The success of the workshop has paved the way for future initiatives aimed at advancing research and scholarship at the intersection of digital humanities and Jewish studies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EAJS Digital Forum Workshop 2023 on Digital Mapping Approaches to European Jewish History was a success, serving as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the field of Jewish studies. By equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to leverage digital mapping methodologies, the workshop has contributed to the advancement of research in European Jewish history and laid the groundwork for future endeavors in the burgeoning field of digital humanities.
Please find attached the final program of the EAJS Digital Forum Workshop 2023: Digital Mapping Approaches to European Jewish History.