Humanities research and education have an important role to play in our increasingly digital world. The Digital Lab is part of a multi-pronged strategy by the Faculty’s Centre for Digital Humanities (LUCDH) that is designed to help all of us meet the challenges and opportunities that come with this role.

Maybe you are a member of staff or a student who is already well-versed in digital media and tools but need advanced equipment and a community of specialists to take your work to the next level? Or are you someone who would like to learn how to bring digital methods into your scholarly practice but need a place to learn and experiment and a support group to start? Or do you need a user-friendly studio to record your next podcast. Then this is the place for you.

In the digital lab you will find the following:

• 2 graphically capable desktops (for e.g. intensive multimedia work, crunching through bigger datasets, and projects that require installation of specific software or programming environments)
• 2 high-speed processor desktops (for e.g. data crunching or text analysis)
• 18 Laptops with standard Lipsius installation to use at (group)workstations or bring your own laptop, there is easy access to power outlets
• Microcomputers (Raspberry Pi) for experimentation and tinkering
• 2 Virtual Reality headset (Oculus)
• 3D printer (Ultimaker)
• Software managed by LUCDH
• Tobii Eye Tracker

**The Podcast & Livestream Studio in Huizinga 0.12 will open in September 2024.**

The studio can be reserved for creating podcasts/vodcasts or livestreams. The studio is set up for 4 people to use the mics, i.e., the host and 3 guests. 

New to recording in the studio?

The apparatus is very user friendly! However, if you are unfamiliar with the studio, then please email digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to arrange a 15 min tour of the studio. We will explain the recording equipment at the start of your recording session. 

Studio Availability and Bookings

• Time slots can be booked for Mon-Fri 10:00 - 17:00.
• You can check here for timeslot availability on the Digital Lab & Studio calendar, before emailing digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to reserve. The calendar will open in a separate browser window. Click the 3 dots (...) to show details in the right-hand margin of the Outlook calendar. The studio bookings will be indicated with Podcast or Huizinga 0.12.
• Once you have found a timeslot that works for you, email digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to make the reservation. You will receive an email to confirm booking.

Important Guidelines when using the studio:

• A technician will not be present during the recording of your podcast; therefore, you will need to know how the equipment works or sign up for a tour of the studio beforehand. However, staff will be on hand in the Digital Lab or offices for simple questions.
• Audacity is installed on the desktop computer in the studio for recording your sound tracks. Or you can bring your own laptop and there is a cable to link this to the recording equipment.
• If you will be linking to guests/interviewees outside the studio, please let us know beforehand so we can help with setting this up.
• Computers and peripherals are not to be moved or reconfigured without approval of Lab staff or Classroom teachers. If, after approval, settings have been changed, please return settings to how you found them.
• If you see a sign 'Don't log out from the computer of physically switch it off'. This means you can still use the computer for recording, but the machine will be working in the background on training data. Therefore, when you leave, don't log or switch the computer off!
• Make sure to use the door hanger present to indicate that you are recording. Others can then avoid disturbing your recording. If it is visible, do not enter the studio.
• If you open the windows or turn on the heating, make sure to close the windows and turn off the heating after you are done recording. 
• Log out of any personal apps/accounts that you have logged into, i.e. MS Teams or email.
• Remember to save your work on your laptop or bring a USB stick for this! The Lab cannot be held responsible for the protection of your data or account.

More important than hardware, you will also be able to find others here who take a specific interest in digital tools and thinking. For instance, during opening times, there will always be people present who know their way around the lab and digital tools, and can help you find answers to your questions. Furthermore, the Lab will also host workshops on topics such as programming, digital mapping, networks, interactive storytelling, deep learning and LLMs. The MediaLab workshops for students will either be held in the Digital Lab or Journalism Lab. See the Workshop page for past details (check back later for the 2024-2025 schedule).

• The Digital Lab is open during semesters for your digital humanities research and workshops. There is seating for 25.
• A staff member of LUCDH is always present during times when workshops are not taking place. You can come along during this time and work on your digital projects without first reserving.
• If you have specific questions about a digital topic, please email us beforehand so we can ensure someone is present who can answer your specific questions.
• If machines are not in use or reserved, you can just sit down and use them. (If you wish to leave the computer on to train a machine learning model, leave a post-it note on the screen indicating that the computer should not be used or switched off.)
• If you are using one of the lab computers:
  - Remember to save your own work to an external memory drive or to the cloud when you leave! This is important, as we cannot guarantee your work will be saved locally on our lab computers for longer term. 
  - Remember also to clear your browsing history and log out of any personal accounts!
• E-mail us if you wish to organize a DH/AI workshop(s) in the lab: digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl 

The Digital Lab (0.09),  Podcast & Livestream Studio (0.12) and Film Studio (0.13) are located in the Humanities Hub on the ground floor of Huizinga. As you enter Huizinga, turn left and follow the corridor till it turns to the right (i.e. walk clockwise once you enter Huizinga). The main labs and studios can be found in this part of the corridor.

The labs and studios will open later in September 2024.

Want to join an LUCDH workshop?

• Check under Activities, and register usually via email or a FormDesk form. 

Want to discuss organizing a gathering in the Digital Lab. Any questions or comments? We would love to hear them! 

• E-mail: lucdh@hum.leidenuniv.nl 

Want to make a booking in the Digital Lab (Huizinga 0.09) for a gathering or for teaching workshop(s)?

• E-mail: digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl 

Want to use the Podcast & Livestream Studio or need instruction on studio equipment (Huizinga 0.12)?

• E-mail: digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl 

The Digital Lab is part of a collaboration of labs and studios for digital and AI research housed in the Humanities Hub in Huizinga. As well as providing advice, tools and space for research, the Humanities Hub will also support DH & AI Minor teaching, MA Translation studies and MediaLab workshops for students.

You can learn more about our resources for students and staff in this article: Ready for the digital future: The Humanities Hub.

• Digital Lab in 0.09
• AI Lab in 0.09c
• Journalism Lab in 0.11
• Editorial Room in 0.11e
• Maker Space in 0.11f
• Podcast & Livestream Studio in 0.12
• Film Studio in 0.13
• Ludic Lab in 0.14

Questions on access and booking timeslots in the labs and studios can be directed to digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl.