On 17 April 2017, the team moved into the new C²DH premises in the Maison des Sciences Humaines at the University of Luxembourg. The culture of transparency cultivated by the C²DH is reflected even in the architecture of these new premises: the space is organised in such a way that it facilitates exchange, dialogue and communication.
The new C²DH premises include areas for research, collaboration and support services. The layout reflects a strategy based on a managerial and cultural approach that encourages openness and participation: less emphasis on hierarchy, more interdisciplinarity and dialogue, more innovation. Glass walls, open spaces and lounge furniture all help promote team spirit and encourage close links among researchers and other staff.
Another important dimension of the C²DH is experimentation. When we think of humanities research, the first thing that springs to mind isn’t necessarily a laboratory – in the literal sense of the term anyway, in other words a room specially kitted out for scientific experiments and research. But at the C²DH , the idea of a “humanities laboratory” is entirely logical, since its focus is on new digital methods and applications and how they can be used in history research and teaching. So the Maison des Sciences Humaines in Belval has its very own “Digital History Lab”, or DH Lab.
The DH Lab boasts the latest cutting-edge equipment, such as a high-volume automatic book scanner. The Treventus ScanRobot 2.0 and the digital library software Nainuwa, together with a powerful OCR engine, can be used to scan the pages of any book quickly and easily. “The aim is to make these scientific publications available for use by all C²DH staff,” explains Dr.-Ing. Lars Wieneke, Head of Digital Research Infrastructure at the centre.
The DH Lab also has a 3D printer and two 3D scanners, which offer new possibilities for historical research since they can be used to digitise and “print out” 3D objects, making them easier to study.
The open layout of the premises is further bolstered by the introduction of collaborative technologies. C²DH Backstage, the centre’s digital platform, serves as a space for synergistic collaboration for the entire team as it carries out its research and other activities.
On 13 October 2017 at the University of Luxembourg, a full house engaged in lively debates about the issues facing Europe
The main auditorium of the University of Luxembourg was filled to the last seat for the conference “Shaping the Europe of the future” organised by the C²DH, with the European Commission Representation in Luxembourg and their partners on 13 October.
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A platform on contemporary history of Luxembourg from a transnational perspective
The Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) is the youngest of the University of Luxembourg’s three interdisciplinary centres.
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An international platform for reflection on the methodological and epistemological challenges facing historiography in the digital age
While one of the main aims of the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) is to carry out academic research and teaching on the contemporary history of Luxembourg and Europe from a transnational perspective, it also intends to become an international platform for reflection on the methodological and epistemological challenges facing historiography in the digital age.
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