Hello everyone. I was excited to see that almost everyone from last semester’s DH Intro is now in DH Methods and Practices as well! Just a bit about me: My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Professional and Technical Writing. I am very comfortable and adept at using and learning new technical skills. In my current position at the CUNY City Tech Writing Center, I’ve had the opportunity to take on many roles and work on various projects. I have created a variety of digital materials and content for the center and worked on outreach to increase overall visibility. I also have experience organizing and analyzing key data to build our reports and narratives, which helps us secure funding to continue serving our students.

Here’s a bit about the various types of skillsets and my proficiencies, as well as areas I’d like to build on:

Development
This has always been an area of interest for me, and I’m most eager to continue expanding my skill sets in coding and development. I have a solid foundation in HTML and CSS to start building out projects. I have dabbled with JS on a recent project, but I hope to work on more projects to gain a better proficiency (p5.js, too). I think I have also built a solid foundation in Python after taking the Python for Researchers class last semester and working on two Python-heavy projects. So Python is something that I’m also interested in building on. Basically, anything coding is a yes for me.

Graphics Design, Visual Design, UX/UI
I have a lot of experience creating visual assets and materials, and I love any opportunity to create visual content for projects. This can range from creating UI elements such as buttons, containers, and navigational components to image and video editing, curating a color palette, typography, logo design, and more.

Data Visualization
I have some experience with data visualization from my current job, but I feel like I’m expanding this skill set more and more throughout the DH program. I am interested in working on projects that employ creative data viz practices. This is an area I feel comfortable in, but I definitely would like more experience and tools under my belt.

Project Management
In my current position, I have led various collaborative project initiatives. One of my favorite projects was directing and producing a welcome and informational video to highlight who we are and what services we provide. This was part of a 3-month project with very limited resources, but I found it valuable in my overall professional development. I’ve also held many leadership roles that involved project management throughout my academic career. Though if project management were to be defined as a role in a project, it’s probably the role I’d be least likely to want to take on. I’m happy to collaborate on establishing workflows, but I’m always a bit nervous about being assigned as the “lead” project manager on the team.

Documentation
I enjoy writing various types of documentation. I have experience writing technical documents such as handbooks and manual type things. I wouldn’t mind supporting the team by writing methodology documents or other required documentation.

Research
I would like to say I’m experienced in this area. It’s not the most fun, but research methods and practices are pretty much second nature to me across academia and in my professional career. I find it foundational for almost everything. Even if my main role isn’t research, I think it’s inevitable, and I’ll probably find myself doing some research to familiarize myself with the project and gain insight into different methods and approaches for my respective role(s).

Social Media
I have done a bit of content creation and managed a social media account with a rather small following (~200ish). I’m not really a huge fan of social media though. I kind of like the idea of microblogging or a Subreddit as a public platform to share updates of our project timeline, but that, of course, depends on the project and team preferences. I’m happy to assist with the content and writing in this area.

My skills are mostly developed from undergraduate research experiences and personal efforts in figuring out how to leverage digital technologies in historical studies. Professional experiences are few but have contributed to improving my abilities to uphold objectives consistent in developing scholarly research projects. 

Historical Transcription: 

This term describes the act of reading historical documents produced in their original form. In other words, looking at sentences that were printed in primitive styles of cursive before making them legible for others. I transcribed journals, letters, and newspapers that were produced in the late-19th and early 20th centuries for my undergraduate senior thesis, as well as in the recent semester. Moreover, for practice, I interacted with and transcribed a few preserved documents on the National Archives website (one of which was from the U.S. Navy). 

Data Visualization: 

I gained many experiences in data visualization across unique academic settings, as well as by learning to use different tools. There are two instances when I helped a student and a coworker in producing data graphics on Google Sheets; one in a high school statistics class, and another at an environmental research internship. Studying some Physics at DePauw University entailed the usage of Microsoft Excel to record lab results; additionally, building codes in R to create charts representing the same information. Two data visualization courses introduced me to Tableau, which gave experimental assignments and opportunities to evaluate transit systems and railways in the United States. On a final note, after being introduced to Voyant this past semester, I hope to continue learning about new data visualizing software and getting chances to apply them in unique settings.  

Digitization: 

In a historical sense, digitization is taking photocopies of a letters written by the wife of a French merchant company, then converting those images into PDF pages. It also includes transferring physical audio recordings (such as interviews) into computer audio files that online users can listen to and study. I do not have direct experience in digitizing historical material, though I have converted more than 300 documents for the MTA by putting physical safety information into digital databases. Furthermore, I am certain that I have enough technical knowledge to figure out how to make physical details viewable on screens. 

Research: 

Completing research to produce history papers within and outside my senior thesis had, overall, similar objectives and approaches regardless of the unique challenges that emerged from each study. Tasks mostly include navigating various library systems (physical and online), scheduling appointments with guides to receive help with citations and finding desired sources, and exploring many different online resources to discover potential networks and locations that would lead desired results. From a personal standpoint, research is an opportunity to produce knowledge and perspective while exploring extra details that may or may get written into published work. These interests influence me to make notes of such details, regardless of getting published or not. With that in mind, I am happy to bring these attributes into a project.  

Hey everyone, Sasha here. My background is heavily tech-focused (computer science and data analytics). My interests center on applying technical methods to questions in the humanities. I’m still refining my specific niche, but that intersection is where I’m most engaged.

Project Management: This depends on my familiarity with the project. I’m organized and generally reliable with deadlines. I work best as a collaborator rather than the sole project manager, though I can step into that role when needed.

Development: This is my strongest area. I’m comfortable with Python, web development (HTML, CSS, some JavaScript), GitHub-based collaboration, and data visualization tools such as Tableau and QGIS.

Design / UX: I have a basic foundation and am comfortable learning as projects evolve.

Outreach / Social Media: This is my weakest area. I have very limited experience with social media or outreach strategies.

Documentation: Not my favorite task, but I can produce clear, effective documentation when required, especially for any solo work done.

Research: I’m still developing my skills in self-directed research through the DH program and would welcome opportunities to collaborate with more research-focused teammates.

Whenever I am asked what are my “skills”, I’ve always struggled to pinpoint the areas I excel in. Throughout my years,  I learned a lot of random things, but nothing was mastered. Nevertheless, I would say my most developed skill sets revolve around educational technology and accessibility.

Project Management:
As part of my daily work, I manage several projects over 3-6 month stretches with small teams. Helping to manage things like scheduling, roadmap planning, deadlines, etc., and all the fun stuff in between. It is something that, over the years, has become almost second nature to me in most cases.

Development:
I do occasionally use HTML and CSS fairly often at my job. It isn’t something I’d say is my speciality, but rather something I picked up along the way as a foundational understanding. I do, however, possess a fairly developed skillset of multimedia creation. I’ve created videos, images, icons, banners, etc., and still do semi-often.

Documentation:
Oddly, I do like writing instructions and technical/process documentation. I have a good amount of experience in this area and don’t mind assisting with this. The documentation preparation I do most often involves writing methodological processes and ideas.

Research:
This is something that I “should” be good at, but could use a lot more development in. Digging through academic/scholarly journals, archives, and books has always seemed daunting to me. While I have done it in the past, I am far from an expert in it. Many times when doing academic research, I feel like I am searching blindly and just hoping for the best. It is something I am willing to learn more about and expand better.

Social Media:
While I understand how beneficial it is within our field, I tend to stay as far away as possible from social media. I believe I have an account for most platforms, but my presence on them is nearly non-existent. I do try to leave as little of a digital footprint as possible for my own personal reasons. I would prefer to leave this area to someone else.

I am just shy of 30 years of full time experience as an information systems professional. Currently I manage a development team at the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library, which means I mainly develop library information systems, but I’m also responsible for IT security, DevOps, and cloud infrastructure.

I’ll use a rubric similar to what others are using, but especially with information systems, as I’m fond of saying, I don’t even really know at this point what I know.

Project Management: While I’m not certified in any particular methodology, I have been practicing project management for many years now. I am comfortable breaking down tasks and structuring work according to known parameters, such as when building tools and platforms that leverage common patterns, or when aiming for clearly defined outcomes. That said, I wouldn’t consider myself particularly good at this, especially when the scope is less well defined.

Development: This is a strong point for me. My current development stack includes Python, HTML, JavaScript (both server side and client side), and CSS, backed by various databases: MongoDB, Ontotext GraphDB, and Postgres. I’m also familiar with integration of search engines.

Design/UX: Because of the size of my team, I have to moonlight as a UX professional. I have a basic grasp of design and UX concepts, but this is certainly not my strength. That said, I learned HTML programming in the 90s like many others did, by looking at sites I liked and trying to copy them. That same sensibility has served me well enough to date…

Graphics Design and Art: I am capable with digital image creation and basic editing, and I like to make logos, art, and such. Who knows if we’ll need any, but I thought I’d throw it out there.

Infrastructure and Deployment: This is an aspect that I haven’t seen covered as often as other aspects. I have a strong grasp of the components necessary to deploy web applications, keep them online, and ensure they can be maintained, especially on a budget.

Outreach/Social Media: I consider myself chronically allergic to publicity of any kind, which may seem like a funny thing to hear from someone who has been blogging publicly for many years, posts plenty on social media, and even publishes things for people to buy. All that’s to say I haven’t the first clue how to actually market anything. I could stand to learn!

Documentation: Since I do like to write, I also like to explain things. I’m always eager to help structure documentation that serves different audiences, though I am not always as diligent in filling it in.

Research: I like to think this is something I know how to do, but so far in my Digital Humanities journey, I have found that research in a humanities context feels substantively different from what I had done many years ago in my Information Systems MS, even while the methods themselves are basically the same. That said, I feel pretty confident in my research skills.

I am a writer and an editor, with a focus on internet and digital cultures, and art. My skills include:

Copy writing: I can write anything — web copy, social media copy, newsletters. Essays, presentations, critical papers, white papers. Anything! In English and Spanish (and French if I have a dictionary.)

publicity + social media management: I’ve been working in media for over seven years. I know the ins and outs of getting media coverage and fitting into the “discourse.” My specialty (and years of contacts) are deeply tied to all things art, culture and technology. I know the landscapes well and am confident I have the insights and contacts to help our project reach the people who would be most-interested in it. While I doubt we’d ever pursue media coverage in a traditional sense, I know how to build a community using social media and am familiar with all the platforms and alternatives ways of building engagement.

publishing: Newsletters, zines, printed matter. Social media is great but publishing is sometimes a more effective means of creating a community around a project and putting it in people’s hands. I know how to produce small-runs of printed matter as well as set up digital zines, newsletter platforms etc.

project management: I have experience managing groups and intricate workflows.

Research: I am working journalist (and budding academic), and I feel confident in my research skills: courthouses, archives, libraries, social media rabbit holes.

Development: Not very robust here, I know the bare minimum of HTLM, CSS, etc. I can read through a GitHub and get the gist of whats going on. Would love to develop these more in an assistive capacity. Don’t have the knowledge to lead anything here but I am eager to refine these skills and be of substantive assistance. I am particularly looking to get close to any data cleaning, dataset-curating, or database-related projects.

I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and currently work as a software engineer. I’ve also had experience in leadership roles including being the president of Hunter’s sustainability club in undergrad and currently leading my company’s DEI task force. In addition, I am generally interested in learning new skills and knowledge, so I’d be happy to plug into any of these roles – there’s no role I’d dismiss out of hand as long as I’m working on a project I’m excited about!

Project manager: I am good at time management and strategizing about how best to get done what needs to get done, and I have a decent amount of experience at this from work and from undergrad. I’m less comfortable with the social side of project management, but I have some experience with it at least.

Developer: This is probably the area I have the most experience in, from both prior education and my current job. In particular, I have experience with Python and Javascript, as well as coding-adjacent digital humanities tools like Twine.

Design/UX: This is an area I have a bit of experience with and am interested in improving on. I’ve done some smaller non-professional design projects like creating flyers, and I’ve picked up some design knowledge working closely with designers at work.

Outreach/social media: This is the area I have the least experience in, but I wouldn’t mind trying it out and improving my skills here.

Documentation: I’m not sure exactly what is meant by “documentation” in this context. I have plenty of experience with documenting code from my work, as well as documenting things like standard working processes, my thought processes on decisions I’ve made in my work, and creating useful resources to help coworkers with problems that might arise. And those are all kinds of documentation I enjoy doing. Generally I like trying to explain things so they makes sense to people! However I don’t know much about archive documentation standards, though that would definitely be something I’d like to learn about.

Research: I have some experience with research from previous classes, a little from work, and some from my own personal interests. This is also the area I’m most interested in improving my skills in, so I’d love to take this as a secondary role.