DX Lab Fellowship #3

The DX Lab is thrilled to announce the DX Lab fellowship for the third time. This digital fellowship has been specifically set up to support the creative and innovative use of the Library’s collection and data. It promotes innovation, partnerships, experimentation and creativity using the Library’s data in new ways. This is a unique opportunity for creative technologists in the digital humanities, particularly within the Gallery, Library, Museum and Archive sector (GLAM). The fellowship is being offered at $30,000 to enable research and digital innovation.

The DX Lab Fellowship is supported through a gift to the State Library of NSW Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation which supports key Library fellowships, and innovative exhibitions and landmark acquisitions.

“We are always looking for new and interesting ways for people to experiment with, access and explore our rich collections, and the DX Lab Fellowship is one of our most exciting offerings.” – Dr John Vallance, State Librarian

This fellowship is open for creative technologists and digital scholars to come and spend time in the DX Lab working with our data and collection to research and build innovative ways to access and use the Library’s catalogue. If you are interested in applying for this fellowship you will need to submit your application here by the 24 May 2019.

We are interested in projects that focus on innovative ways to research and browse the collection. Some of the complex problems we are facing include:

• Finding ways to visualise and investigate large and complex data sets, often with diverse formats such as the David Scott Mitchell collection.
• Are there ways for readers to improve their access to the collections through new research methods?
• Building generous interfaces that focus on individual collections or the whole catalogue to facilitate research.
• How can we look at the collection at the macro level that may involve time, place, topic, formats or creator?
• What methods are there to make the non-digitised items more accessible for research purposes, through using the metadata already contained in our catalogue?
• Can artificial intelligence (AI) help with making collection metadata richer and more accessible?
• Does providing additional layers of context for specific items, from third-party websites/api’s, make research a richer experience?

Here are some samples of collection material that might inspire you.

• Government Gazette
• Tribune negatives
• Indigenous Languages
• Maps
• Subdivision Plans
• Fairfax Business Archive
• Pix Magazine
• Milton Kent aggregated collection of negatives, chiefly aerial views of Sydney, ca. 1920-1982

You can find more collection inspiration on Research and Collections.

The applications will be judged by:

Richard Neville, Mitchell Librarian and Director of Education and Scholarship
Paula Bray, DX Lab Leader
Kaho Cheung, DX Lab Technical Lead
Kate Curr, Manager Digital Strategy and Innovation
Mike Daly, Creative Lead, Grumpy Sailor Creative, DX Lab Digital Drop-In

The successful applicant will be working in the DX Lab and will have the assistance of the Lab team that includes, two developers and the Lab Leader.  There’s a range of staff across the Library that can also assist with research and curatorial matters.

FAQs

Q: Will I have to build my idea into an online experience?
A: Yes, we want a product to go live.

Q: Will I be provided with office facilities and a computer?
A: Yes, you will have a desk and computer supplied but we are assuming you would probably want to bring your own equipment.

Q: Will the Lab developers help me with my project?
A: Yes, they are here to assist you but you are expected to build and deliver your project.

Q: Can I add some other data sets into my project as well as the State Library’s data?
A: Yes, if you feel it is providing additional meaning to your outcome and it is openly sourced.

Q: Do I have to be associated with a University?
A: No, you don’t necessarily have to be associated with a University.

Q: When can I take up the fellowship?
A: We need you to undertake the fellowship between the months of June 2019 and June 2020 with a minimum expected time in the lab of 8 weeks, full time equivalent.

Q: Are there any age restrictions?
A: Yes, you need to be over 18 to apply for our fellowship.

Q: Can I apply if I live overseas?
A: Yes, but you are responsible for all necessary travel arrangements and accommodation.

Q: What other commitments will I have?
A: There will be speaking opportunities held at the Library that we will need you to do with the possibility of media.

Application requirements

Applicants will need to fill in the online submission form.

Applications close on the 24 May 2019 at 11.00pm AEST.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email shortly after the closing date and will need to be available for an interview in the first week of June at the Library or via online.

Successful applicants will need to be able to build their project and it will go live on the DX Lab website. We will be responsible for hosting the project and require that the code be available in the State Library account on Github. The State Library of NSW will license the final product under a Creative Commons License.

Enquiry details:
e: dxlab@sl.nsw.gov.au

The DX Lab grants program is listed here.

Banner image created by Mike Daly for the Digital Drop-In project ‘Field of View’.