New Media Lab

March 4, 2013

As part of our continuing effort to support digital research and experimentation in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment, 2013 ushered in 10 new doctoral students into the ranks of the New Media Lab. Bringing our total to 24, NML’s coterie of students comes from 14 programs/subprograms at the Graduate Center, with each student incorporating a range of approaches and tools as they explore the use of new technology in his or her doctoral work. For the first time, we have representation from Educational Psychology (Second Life environments to teach autistic children), French (Digitization of 17th century manuscripts), and Criminal Justice (Othering and Selective Victimization).

Adding to the novelty, the NML now has five awards available to its students:

• The New Media Lab Digital Dissertation Award
• The History or Public Health Award
• The Social Justice Award
• The Dewey Digital Teaching Award
• NML Conference Travel Award

We are excited that, along with other recent Graduate Center digital initiatives, the New Media Lab is the site of the cross-pollination and birth of so many new projects and directions in research, teaching, learning, and publishing.

Bolstered by the recent installation of sleek new computer tables that replaced the old and eclectic assortment of furniture we’ve had until now (see right), the New Media Lab—the Graduate Center’s interdisciplinary digital facility run by ASHP/CML—began the fall semester with new participants and innovative initiatives. The Lab is busier than ever with 22 students from 13 doctoral programs working from early in the morning until late in the evening on digital projects.

This academic year, the Lab’s activities have been enhanced by the Graduate Center’s inauguration of a number of programs to nurture digital research. Three NML students were appointed Digital Fellows and two others received Digital Initiative grants from the Office of the Provost to support the development of scholarly projects that use new technology in compelling ways. In addition, a History and Public Health student grant was established with funds from an anonymous donor to support student digital projects and research related to these fields; two grants have been awarded thus far, one to a student in environmental psychology, the other, in anthropology. And a new grant to students will be announced shortly for digital work that accompanies doctoral dissertations. Finally, for a second year a student was designated as a Digital Fellow whose responsibilities include working with GC faculty members on their digital research projects.