Jennifer Andrella

Examining and implementing modern techniques into humanities research will be a focus of the new academic year for Jen Andrella, Knox College’s newly hired digital humanities specialist.

Andrella’s position is a core part of the Abolition for All Time Lab project recently funded by a Mellon grant for $1.23 million. Knox faculty will tackle the historic role of abolitionism, translating its meaning to the modern age. The position of digital humanist was created specifically to aid in this project.

Andrella completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toledo with a major in history and a minor in writing. She followed with a Ph.D. in history at Michigan State University. She says that it may come as a surprise, but at the time she began her Ph.D. she had no idea what digital humanities were.

Andrella's historical research focuses on nineteenth-century United States and Native American history. Early in her graduate career, she was introduced to digital humanities. She says she fell in love with the idea through learning how historians and humanists are able to utilize modern technology in research. 

“Interacting with digital humanities doesn’t change the questions we ask in history or any discipline, but it’s really transforming the journey to the answer,” Andrella said. “There are things that a computer can tell us that the human eye cannot.”

Digital humanities involve the disciplines of the humanities working collaboratively and transdisciplinary toward new forms of research. By utilizing digital tools and methods of study, new forms of learning are possible.

The field also focuses on the value of taking rare artifacts and prolonging their existence through digital preservation: this could be anything from digitizing an old map to uploading the text of a fragile document.

“I think there is some hesitation for historians to use digital technology. It can be scary,” Andrella said. 

Now, starting her first year at Knox, Andrella is looking forward to bringing this unique skill set to campus. She says her goal when searching for a position was to find a college that allowed her to develop as both a historian and as a digital humanist simultaneously. For Andrella, the opportunity Knox provided couldn’t have been a better fit. 

Andrella says that the Abolition Lab’s themes of activism and social justice are of deep interest. She feels a connection to the goals of the project, connecting Knox’s abolitionist roots with contemporary social justice issues.  

“This opportunity felt like it was in perfect alignment with all of the work I had been doing previously, but also with the future I see for myself as a historian,” Andrella said. 

As a digital humanist, Andrella will help Knox students and faculty alike to implement digital skills and methods into humanities research. Ultimately, Andrella will be working to implement a permanent digital humanities lab in the Seymour Library. She will also be available to help faculty implement digital humanities practices into their coursework. 

Andrella wants students to know that her door is always open to talk through ideas. She says that the immersive culture of Knox’s education is exciting and looks forward to engaging with anyone who wants to learn about digital humanities.