This week’s readings provided a range of perspectives on the nature of archives and the evolving roles of archivists. Each author presented a unique angle, reflecting the dynamic and multifaceted nature of archival work. From exploring the integration of technology in historical research to emphasizing the social responsibilities of archivists, the project I investigated and the readings we delved into highlighted how archives serve not just as vehicles for information, but as active participants in knowledge creation, social justice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
For Week 1’s assignment on “What is Archives?”, I delved into Bruno Gasparotto Ponne’s project, “Coding the Past.” This project teaches data science techniques for historical and humanities research, encompassing artificial intelligence, text analysis, and more. Designed for researchers and students with a basic understanding of R and Python, it aims to empower them with programming skills relevant to their fields of interest. I chose this project to learn more about intertwining my passions for data analysis and historical events.
The website features 22 short article-style lessons on various technologies, using historical events as the backdrop for application examples. One instance is in an article published in February 2024, where Ponne plots the three modern countries with the largest number of amphitheaters, Tunisia, France, and Italy, to explain the use of violin plots for data analysis.
Marlene Manoff’s “Theories of the Archive from Across the Disciplines” highlights how various fields utilize archives, emphasizing their interdisciplinary nature. “Some of the most innovative and original work occurs in hybrid fields where scholars draw on the work of more than one discipline,” Manoff notes. “Coding the Past” exemplifies this by applying data science to enhance humanities research, bridging modern technology with traditional methods.
Ricardo L. Punzalan’s letter, “Dear Students: Becoming an Archivist in a Time of Uncertainty and Unrest,” describes the pivotal role of archivists in navigating societal challenges like racial tension and political discord. This resonates with “Coding the Past,” which equips archivists with data science tools for historical analysis, increasing accessibility of marginalized voices. Punzalan urges archivists to “commit to truth, accountability, and social justice,” reflecting the project’s goal to empower archivists with the means to document and analyze social issues.
Kathleen D. Roe’s “Why Archives?” emphasized the societal importance of archives, advocating for broader recognition beyond technical practices. Ponne’s “Coding the Past” supports this by using data science to enhance accessibility and relevance of archival materials, thereby highlighting their significance in modern society. Roe states that “people who are inspired, who inspire others, are the ones who can have real impact”, aligning with the Coding the Past’s vision of making programming education more engaging and accessible to encourage others to embark on their own personal projects.
In Kate Theimer’s “Archives in Context and as Context”, she argues that digital humanists often misappropriate the term “archives,” diluting its meaning and overlooking the rigorous principles archivists use to preserve historical context. However, this perspective underestimates the potential for innovation in digital humanities. Projects like “Coding the Past” demonstrate that digital collections can maintain archival integrity while employing modern data science techniques. This approach not only respects traditional archival principles but also enhances the accessibility and analysis of historical materials, suggesting that digital and traditional archives can coexist and enrich each other.
Reflecting on the articles and after exploring the “Coding the Past” project, my perspective on archives has shifted. I now understand that while the definition of archives can vary, they fundamentally serve as collections of information applicable to diverse documents, websites, and other forms of data. As I consider my own archival practices, I intend to emphasize accuracy, transparency, and comprehensive representation of the information and events I present. This holistic approach will ensure that my work not only preserves history but also actively contributes to its understanding and relevance.
References:
Bruno Ponne, “Coding the Past”, (2023) https://www.codingthepast.com/
Kate Theimer, “Archives in Context and as Context,” Journal of Digital Humanities 1, no. 2 (2012) https://journalofdigitalhumanities.org/1-2/archives-in-context-and-as-context-by-kate-theimer/
Kathleen D. Roe, “Why Archives?,” The American Archivist 79, no. 1 (2016) https://www.jstor.org/stable/26356697
Marlene Manoff, “Theories of the Archive from Across the Disciplines,” portal: Libraries and the Academy 4, no. 1 (2004) https://muse.jhu.edu/article/51302
Ricardo L. Punzalan, “Dear Students: Becoming an Archivist in a Time of Uncertainty and Unrest,” The Library Quarterly 87, no. 4 (2017) https://rpunzalan.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Dear-Students.pdf
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