Women’s History in a Digital World

The following paragraphs are excerpted from a paper I gave on 22 March 2013, entitled “What’s it all about, Alfie?:  conducting research in a digital age – Sensuality, Serendipity, and Sources.”  The paper was part of the Women’s History in a Digital World conference held at Bryn Mawr College under the auspices of the Albert M. Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education.  This material must be cited and may not be reproduced without my permission.

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There is something about the smell of dust in the archives that represents research.  Learning to negotiate the physical space of the archives is a rite of passage for historians and remains an essential part of “what we do.” I am sure that all of us remember our early experiences doing archival research–the mysterious soft lighting, the smell of old paper, the gloves required to examine photographs, and yes, the dust of elderly pages– all of our senses engaged in the process of research.  There is a certain sensual allure to the archives and we can hardly deny the attractions of archival research.

Yet there are negative features as well–the distances we must travel to access materials and the costs of getting there, the restrictions that must be imposed on handling rare materials, not having the requisite pencil for note taking, the inaccessibility of key sources, the limited hours.  All of obstacles to research frustrate the historian, and the increasing availability of digital collections certainly helps to reduce some of the challenges inherent in research.  Does utility trump sensuality? Does working with digital sources change the way we interact with them?

The ability to find, to record, to access, to connect, to explore massive numbers and kinds of sources has changed the way we practice history.  Digital projects make women’s stories accessible to those who would never have had the reason or resources to work in an archive.  As we embrace the richness and range of what is available to us, we need to think carefully about how and whether access to digital archives and other sources will change the way we practice history and how we need to refine our skills and training to use such sources appropriately and effectively.

One aspect of research that may be lost with increasing reliance on digital archives is the sense of serendipity and discovery as one works diligently through a box of folders.  Not knowing what is there and what may be found is part of the allure of archival research.  The box next to the one that looked so promising may actually yield better results.  Consider for a moment the changes emerging technologies have made in how we access a source as simple as a letter.  Initially, transcripts of letters were published online, providing access to the text, but simultaneously losing some of the historical sense of the letter – what the writing looked like, how this particular letter related to others in the archive.  Scanning technologies provide us with the actual appearance of the letter and the 3-D imaging that is now available augments that interaction.  Despite technological innovations, we are still distant from the actual source, leading to a different kind of intimacy with our materials.  We look at the same object, but do we do so in the same way? The result may be similar in the way that we write about the letter, but is the experience of doing research the same . . . and does that matter?

As historians, especially as historians of women, we try to shine a light on the past and discover what we can about those who lived it.  Digital technologies offer many advantages as we pursue our craft, but we need to reflect on how changing practices influence and shape how we work as historians.

 

An International Odyssey

I am traveling throughout the United Kingdom, connecting with our students, faculty and staff who are part of Preview at Arcadia.  This program is an amazing opportunity for first year students, who take a study course on campus, then travel to the place they have been studying.  The geographic range is impressive, from England, to South Korea, to Costa Rica, to name but a few of the nearly twenty sites in this year’s program.

I spent time yesterday afternoon with students in London, as they explored the Churchill War Rooms to gain an understanding of the diplomacy involved among world leaders during World War II. Next stop is Edinburgh, where I will meet up with the class exploring Scottish film and literature.  Then it’s back to London for a visit to Parliament.

In addition, I have also been able to spend a bit of time at the University of Winchester, where I am a visiting research fellow. This is a connection I hold very dear.

It’s been a busy fall

The new semester started off well and I have been getting to know colleagues and students across the Arcadia campus.  I have been pleased to be part of several events for prospective students, at which I now sport a pair of custom-designed Chucks!

My work at Arcadia is to serve, essentially, as an academic dean of students, ensuring that policies are in place to support the students’ academic progress.  I have a wonderful and dedicated staff.

On the scholarly front, I have presented a paper at the UK Women’s History Network conference as well as a seminar for the Centre for the History of Women’s Education at the University of Winchester.  I was honored to participate in the graduation ceremony of Zoe Milsom, one of the Centre’s Ph.D. students, in November.  Just after Thanksgiving, I will return to Winchester for the History of Education Society’s conference, at which I am presenting a poster entitled “‘Future Perfect’:  Co-ed Magazine as a Source of Informal Education for American Teens”.  Co-ed Magazine billed itself as “The Magazine for Career Girls and Homemakers of Tomorrow” and offered instruction in domestic skills, dating and relationship advice, and information about a range of careers.

Women’s Sports and Popular Culture

Much of my research has considered the historical dimensions of women’s athletic activity. I am also very interested in how popular culture responds to women’s sports.  So where better to be than at the gold medal women’s football match at the 2012 Olympics?  I was honored to watch a thrilling match between the US and Japan, which the US won 2-1.  The match took place at Wembley Stadium, which has hosted many epic contests.  Last week, over 70,000 people watched Team GB in their match against Brazil (GB won 1-0).  Tonight, 80, 203 filled the stadium’s seats to watch the final match.

It will be interesting to see if there is any long-term impact in Britain, whether the public support of the sport, not only the home team, will influence the success of the women’s professional league (the Women’s Super League).  The excitement of the US team’s success in the 1999 World Cup led to the launch of a professional league that folded after three seasons;  a new league appeared in the 2000s, only to collapse within a few years.  Women’s professional leagues have had much more success in Europe than in the States, though results rarely feature in the sports pages.

Finding the right strategy to market and sustain women’s professional sports is challenging.  One thing that can never be doubted is the quality of play offered by the teams.  The Olympics is about more than taking part–it is about giving your all and your best when the whistle blows.

Settling in at Arcadia

I have begun my new position as Dean of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies at Arcadia University.  Everyone I have met here has been very welcoming and helpful.  They are very patient and willing to answer lots of questions from a rookie.  The campus is lovely;  it even has a castle!  It’s been a delight getting to know new colleagues and a new place.  I am looking forward to the coming weeks as the faculty and students return.

A Whirlwind of Goodbyes and Hellos

In the next forty-eight hours, I will begin the formal process of saying goodbye to my many wonderful colleagues at Rutgers-Camden, fly to England, and meet old friends and new at the Women in Magazines conference.  Then, it’s off to the University of Winchester to spend some time with colleagues at the Centre for the History of Women’s Education, then on to Geneva for another conference.  Once I return, I have only two more days at Rutgers-Camden, before I begin my new position as Dean of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies at Arcadia University.

Packing up an office one has occupied for many years is challenging, especially when one’s life is taken up with books and papers. But today’s efforts brought a laugh as I was reminded of how we used to practice history in the old days.  I found a big stack of index cards, color-coded no less, filled with research notes.  And a pouch filled with dimes, to be used for the microfilm copier.

It’s very hard to leave a job you love and I will miss my friends and colleagues dreadfully.  I am wistful about leaving at the same time as I am excited about my new position.  I don’t want to try to list all the people who have made a difference in my time at Rutgers-Camden, as it would be an endless list.  But one person deserves special mention — Margaret Marsh, who served the campus as Dean, then Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and as Interim Chancellor for the campus.  I have learned so much from Margaret, about being a boss, being a scholar, and being a leader, and I am very grateful that she brought me to Rutgers-Camden some thirteen years ago.

So, as I begin this whirlwind of change, all that remains is to thank everyone who has been part of my journey and hope that we will stay in touch.  Let me close with some advice from Mary Lyon, the founder of Mount Holyoke College, which I have tried to follow: “Go where no one else will go, do what no one else will do.”

Celebrating Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity

One of my favorite days on campus is approaching — our annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, known as CURCA.  This is the sixth year that students in Arts and Sciences have presented their work in this setting.  The event is enjoyed by members of the campus community, who are able to speak with students about their work.

This year, we have 128 students participating, who worked with thirty-three faculty mentors in fourteen disciplines.  The presenters include sixteen recipients of research and travel grants and five of our research prize winners.

We have a new logo for CURCA making its debut this year, designed by Miguel Cook, an art major focusing on graphic design.