Immersive Scholarship 101 (DHSI 2026)

Description

Participants will explore the nature and range of spatial data, immersive interfacing (AR/VR) hardware, and the unique scholarly benefits that this combination affords. Information professionals – including IT, library, and instructional technologists – will survey the associated hardware and software landscape and related (3D printing, scanning, and preservation) tools. In addition to theoretical background and practical methods, participants will be given the opportunity produce and inhabit virtual worlds, populated by their own 3D scans, objects from their chosen discipline, and generative AI (text-to-3D) content. Participants will leave with a working knowledge of the 3D/XR landscape, hands-on content creation – including 3D scanning – experience, and a fully customized virtual world that can be shared with colleagues after DHSI.

Instructor(s)

Matt Cook Digital Scholarship Program Manager at Harvard Library. As a proven expert across the entire 3D data lifecycle; Matt regularly consults on scanning (e.g.photogrammetry), immersive (AR/VR) data analytics, and rapid prototyping (3D printing) processes that span disciplines. Matt studied Philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate levels and has since published R&D in multiple fields, including Architecture, Chemistry, Information Science, and a range of Humanities. Currently he is developing automated workflows that combine the use of handwriting transcription technologies, genAI, and the Metaverse. Please check out mncook.net for more information.

Brian Leach is Technology Support Coordinator with Creative Technologies at Harvard Library. As a member of the management team that supports the Tech Lending program at Cabot Science Library, Brian regularly interacts with patrons (faculty, students and staff) to teach to; One. How to use AR/VR technology (Such as the Meta Quest series of headsets) in classes; Two. To support individual use for research purposes. In addition, Brian maintains the Cabot Library Media Studios used for video/podcast recordings. He also supports other technologies such as the new library 3D printing service. Currently, he is researching new technologies to integrate into the Tech lending program while supporting classes using VR technology. For more information, please email Brian at brian_leach@harvard.edu.