About
Mission & Goals
The mission of the Institute for Digital Exploration is to contribute to the development
of digital scholarship and popularize the humanities and social sciences among the
student population and a wider global community by tackling major themes in the field
such as virtual repatriation, memory in the digital age, digital colonialism and digitally
enhanced cognition.
In the Institute’s laboratory, 3D digital techniques and advanced 3D visualization
are used for the documentation, analysis, interpretation, and online dissemination
of global cultural heritage sites and historical and archaeological collections, emphasizing
those that are endangered, inaccessible, or underrepresented.
The Institute collaborates with local and international partners to foster projects
in the fields of remote sensing, digital curation, virtual museums, and digital communication
of cultural heritage through the critical use of state-of-the-art technologies and
the development of innovative methodologies in digital history and digital archaeological
research.
THE INSTITUTE’S GOALS INCLUDE:
VIRTUAL ACCESSIBILITY
Offering accessibility, via online visualization and virtual reality experiences, to archaeological and historical sites and museum collections that are not physically accessible or that have a limited digital presence and using 3D digital imaging technologies for digital communication of cultural heritage to audiences with cognitive or physical disabilities.
DIGITAL PRESERVATION
Creating digital replicas of cultural heritage artefacts and collections that are physically endangered by natural catastrophes or lack of financial investments or that are dispersed or set to be repatriated to support conservation and educational efforts.
DIGITAL MEMORY
Preserving intangible aspects of traumatic events of recent history using digital storytelling and 3D visualization to keep alive memory and heritage that must not be forgotten.