We're the UVA Library's community lab for the practice of experimental scholarship in all fields, informed by digital humanities, spatial technologies, & cultural heritage thinking.
We offer mentoring, collaboration, & a safe space for anyone curious about learning to push disciplinary & methodological boundaries through new approaches.
We're foremost a space for learning together—about anything—by trying stuff. Think of us as friends and colleagues who can help you teach yourself new ways of approaching your interests. We'd love you to be part of our community!
We're part of the Library's mission to provide equitable access to learning to everyone, and we're proud that librarian superpowers are part of our toolkit!
Visit our Library collaborations hub to find out about the many ways we co-create with and depend on our amazing Library colleagues, or jump to the UVA Library's main website.
The Scholars’ Lab offices and TinkerTank (formerly Makerspace) are now located on the 3rd floor of Clemons Library, in the Robertson Media Center. It will be our home away from home until the completion of the renovation of the main library, scheduled for 2023.
Curious? Please get in touch—absolutely no prior experience or fully formed ideas needed!
Email us at scholarslab@virginia.edu with questions, or to set up a time to meet. Drop in to the TinkerTank during open hours. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about events and opportunities!
Our staff has particular strengths in:
- digital humanities
- web design/development instruction
- collaborative project management
- digital pedagogy
- GIS/mapping & analysis
- cultural heritage informatics
- 3D laser scanning & photogrammetry
- 3D printing, making, & electronics
- and virtual/augmented reality.
We host a wide array of public events and speakers. We teach workshops on tools and methods that enhance your courses and research. Visit our Events Page to see our complete calendar of virtual and in-person programming.
One of our primary missions is supporting the work of emerging scholars and practitioners—particularly UVa graduate students and folks interested in digital humanities and spatial technologies.
We offer a variety of fellowships and opportunities to this end, which collectively aim to support graduate students during the full measure of their time at UVA.
From the innovative Praxis Program to professionalization training for students on the DH job market, we're here to help whether you're looking to answer a specific call for applications or simply looking to discuss your research.
The Scholars’ Lab TinkerTank (formerly Makerspace) is a place for tinkering and experimentation with technologies like wearable circuitry and virtual reality. Open to everyone, we specialize in applications and research questions in the humanities and arts.
The TinkerTank staff provides consultation and instruction whenever the TinkerTank is open, or by appointment. Please drop in, or send inquiries to slabmakerspace@virginia.edu.
Experts at thinking about space + time.
We've got experts in GIS, cultural heritage informatics, augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D modeling, photogrammetry and scanning, aerial footage, and other spatial approaches (including our own Neatline project for telling stories that combine timelines and maps).