CDCS Annual Report 2022-23

It was the vision, drive and energy of our founding Director, Professor Melissa Terras, that got CDCS off the ground and set our pace and direction. Melissa envisaged a more joined up approach to supporting digital research within CAHSS, and she brought that vision to life. Her passion for digital research is infectious and her belief that the arts, humanities and social sciences have a vital role to play in an increasingly digitised and digital world remains our guiding principle. On behalf of the whole CDCS community, I would like to thank her for the vital work she has done in establishing the Centre and developing a thriving digital research community within CAHSS. Although Melissa has now demitted, we are delighted that our working relationship will continue as she joins the Centre's new academic Advisory Board. 

CDCS activity is a collective effort at every level, and many hands and minds are responsible for the work presented in this report. Particular thanks goes to Lucia Michielin, who delivers a stronger and bigger training programme each year and leads on the coordination of our growing summer school. Our administrators Likando Kumoyo and Laura Murray provide seamless support for our website, events and admin processes and ensure that the CDCS machine is oiled and running well. Dr Jessica Witte, working with us as an EFI Postdoctoral Research Fellow, has been instrumental in developing our support offer this year and we greatly value her proactive approach to researcher engagement. Ed McKenzie, who joined the team as a Research Technologist in January has contributed a wealth of new ideas and skills to the team.  We benefit enormously from the input of the twelve School Leads who have sat on our Core Team, and will form the basis of our new Advisory Board going forward. I'd like to thank five of these Leads in particular as they pass the baton on in 2023: Mike Fuller, Beverley Hood, Morgan Currie, Galina Andreeva and Jon Henderson have all been excellent colleagues and have made valuable contributions over the last four years.

Since 2019, we have also benefited from the insight, guidance and encouragement of a Steering Group which will now be disbanded as we move our reporting into EFI structures: I'd like to thank all those who have sat on the Steering Group, and in particular Professor Sarah Prescott, whose support during this transition period has been constant and much appreciated.

A final thanks goes to Professor Chris Speed, Director of EFI, and Jude Henderson, EFI's Chief Operating Officer: they have offered great insight, support and enthusiasm as we've considered the possible futures of CDCS and, along with many other EFI colleagues, have given us a warm welcome as we've come into the fold. We're looking forward to working more closely together as CDCS moves into the new EFI building later this year.