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.