About:
The Archives and History Initiative seeks to form a community of scholars and students at DKU who are deeply invested in historical research and ready to collaborate and support each other. It follows two main questions: First, what makes archives fruitful starting places for interdisciplinary and disciplinary research at DKU? Archives are at the center of writing history. Investigating and evaluating historical sources is also vital for scholars in literature and anthropology. Even more, knowledge of the archive is a productive starting point for integrated research. Second, what can be considered as archives? Humanistic scholarship in the past two decades has convincingly discussed how institutionalized power has created manifold silences during the making of archives. We seek to contribute to this discussion by exploring various forms of archives and the different sources of authority and power they embody.
The Archives and History Initiative will offer events that are student and faculty facing. The Initiative consists of two overlapping branches: The Archives Lab focuses on introducing archives and student research. Prof. Chakraborty, for instance, plans to use one session to demonstrate the rich potential of digitized primary sources of the English East India Company in the British Library. In the modern era, it is feasible to write a signature work project without having to undertake costly travel. Large amounts of material remain unexplored. The Archives Lab will also serve as a platform for students to present their experiences while working as a Research Assistant at DKU. The History Lab focuses on introducing faculty research and invites critical commentary from students and professors. Presenters will have a chance to receive comments on works in progress. They will highlight methods and sources used in their work, creating a window for students to learn from pioneering research projects. The collegial setting is supposed to encourage active engagement.
