One of the projects I am personally extremely interested in is collecting oral histories to show us how gender roles/identities, feelings towards sexuality (both preference and the existence of it), and overall culture changes overtime. I really want to use this method in my dissertation, eventually, to compare how HIV/AIDS shaped African American’s perception of gender, sexuality and culture now VS. the 1980s during the height of the crisis.

I would be super interested in talking about just this or opening up to talking about the importance of oral history and self-written works by the community are to shaping the “real” or “complete” history.

Some questions I would love to answer:

What are the best ways to collect oral histories?

What can they be used for in something like a written dissertation?

What are the downsides of using stories that have been shared with me and how can I minimize them?

Hello, campers! We are looking forward to seeing you this coming Friday at Cabell Library! Workshops will run 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m, followed by a short break, and then a social starting at 5:30 p.m. at Postbellum, a few blocks’ walk away. You’re welcome to arrive at any point between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to check in, get your badge, and make any last decisions about workshops.

We’ll have snacks on hand on Friday, but if you’re looking for sustenance locally prior to the workshops, check out some local options (multiple with vegetarian or vegan items). Want coffee? Multiple coffee shops surround the VCU campus, but there’s also a Starbucks on the first floor of the library.

All workshops will be held in. Cabell Library, in room 303 (AKA the Lecture Hall). It’s a large space with a divider wall that will be familiar to previous attendees. Please feel free to bring your/a laptop! Look for a little more information on these in the next couple days:

Track I: Concepts, Approaches

1:00-2:50 Principles of UX for DH (Ashley Brewer / VCU Libraries)

3:00-4:50 Google Sheets for Digital Humanities Data/Display (Tom Woodward / ALT Lab)

Track II: Techniques, Technology

1:00-2:50 Photography Skills and Principles for Digital (Tom Woodward / ALT Lab)

3:00-4:50 Audio Recording, Oral History, and Sound Project Planning (Eric Johnson, Jessica Johnson / VCU Libraries)

Social

5:30-7:00 p.m. Postbellum. We’ve reserved high-top tables in the bar to the left as you walk in.

There’s a new THATCamp being planned! The details will be published here when known. Meanwhile, read more about the THATCamp movement and browse other THATCamps at thatcamp.org.