Terra Digita – Call For Papers and Workshops

Terra Digita
Cornell University
November 4-5, 2017

The changing landscape of digital mapping technology continues to open up new frontiers for exploring, manipulating, and presenting medieval maps. From using multi-spectral imaging to resurrect faded charts to building interactive tools to advance mappamundi literacy in the classroom, medievalists are more and more embracing digital tools and approaches to provide depth and access to their scholarship. To further this work, Cornell University is pleased to announce an unorthodox conference: a weekend of papers, workshops and collaboration. We hope to provoke inspiration and collaboration among medievalists working with digital mapping, and to offer a space for scholars to grow their skills. This conference will provide a multi-modular venue, combining traditional paper presentations with platform workshops and poster exhibits. It will also include dedicated spaces for active co-working, supported by Cornell University librarians and Cornell’s Digital CoLab.

Papers and Presentations

We welcome abstracts for traditional 20 minute presentations on digital humanities and medieval mapping. Possible avenues for presentations include (but are not limited to)

  • interrogating the intersections of maps and text challenging our preconceptions about cartography
  • exploring deep mapping
  • opening new pedagogical avenues for utilizing digital humanities and maps
  • questioning the possibilities/pitfalls/motivations of transposing medieval mappaemundi onto modern coordinate systems.

Workshops

In addition to the usual papers and presentations, we also invite proposals to run 75 minute workshops on tools and methods related to digital mapping (Neatline, Carto, ArcGIS, etc.) and data management. If you have skill with a platform or methodology, this is an opportunity to help push the field forward and help to curate the conversation. Your workshop will have the backing of the Cornell University Libraries for technical support, equipment, and space.

Exhibits and Posters

We welcome, as well, submissions for posters and exhibits for a display at Cornell Library’s Maps Collection. We encourage submissions from across the spectrum of medieval digital mapping.

Where to Send

Presentation abstracts of 200-300 words due by July 15 to terradigita@cornell.edu. We also invite workshop proposals containing the proposer’s relevant experience and putative subject via email ASAP (and no later than July 15). Poster proposals for the Map Room Exhibition should consist of a 150 word description of the project and, if possible, a digital draft of the exhibit contribution submitted for consideration by July 15th.

There will be a small registration fee of $10 for students and $25 for faculty to help cover expenses.