THATCamp AAR/SBL 2015

Over the last few years, on the day before the AAR & SBL conference begins, scholars from a variety of backgrounds and methodologies in the field of religious studies, come together for THATCamp to explore the way technology enhances humanities scholarship. This year is no different. On November 20th, 2015, THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) unconference will take place you are invited to attend. This year we already have over 80 participants registered, but there is room for many more.

THATCamp is an unconference, meaning that the participants decide on the sessions that will be held and the topics to be discussed. However, this does not mean you cannot make a suggestion now. We already have a few suggestions for sessions and welcome more. All you have to do is register on the THATCamp website and, once your membership is approved, you can post suggestions for topics or sessions. On the morning of the conference, we will also take suggestions and then everyone will vote on which sessions and topics to discuss.

As an unconference, anyone of any skill level can participate. You don’t have to be a technology master to attend or suggest a session. In fact, the best suggestions come from those wanting to know more about specific topics. If you know a little, come share your knowledge with your colleagues. If you are a technology or digital humanities novice, come and learn from your colleagues in a fun and collegial environment.

If you’d like to register for THATCamp AAR/SBL 2015, we ask that you contact your respective organization (AAR or SBL) and register through them. THATCamp is always free. However, to offset the costs of the audio/visual equipment and refreshments (which total almost $3000), we are asking participants for a $15 registration fee. We also want to thank our sponsors, De Gruyter and the Nida Institute for helping offset over half the costs.

In the past THATCamp has been primarily focused on the AAR side of the conference. However this year the organizers are from both the AAR and SBL. As such, we wanted to include everyone in the conversation. The methodologies of Digital Humanities are open to everyone. As this is a more inclusive direction for THATCamp, we are asking the participants to use the hashtag #thatcampaarsbl in your social media posts.

If you would like more information or to suggest a topic or session, please visit the THATCamp AAR/SBL 2015 website at http://aar2015.thatcamp.org/ We look forward to seeing you.

John L. Crow, Michael Hemenway, and Eric Smith, Co-Organizers