Details
This project will research the process of creating 3D printed objects focusing on its hybrid materiality, and comparing it with traditional artisanal crafts. The candidate will identify, describe and analyse the manual skills that are required in the 3D printing workflow, and how they may remain obscured by the digital components. This research wants to explore the extent to which 3D printing is currently perceived as something that will endanger and replace artisanal and even artistic know-how, while the actual practice, that requires considerable amounts of manual labour, is increasingly used in creative contexts. The project will build on both consolidated knowledge in the history of technologies, and the most recent literature on the perception of digital and computer-assisted creative outputs. The narratives around 3D printing technologies, especially in the creative industries and cultural heritage, will be investigated through
- interviews and focus groups involving 3D printing practitioners, artisans, end-users and other stakeholders in the creative and heritage industries.
- An analysis of current communications and media content around 3D printing technologies and 3D printed outputs.
In particular, the researcher will try to understand where, in the public perception, lies the demarcation line between something that is made manually (and as such has connotations of uniqueness and authenticity) and something that is made digitally or through machine assistance (and is, therefore, perceived as replaceable, easy to produce, and of little value), and where 3D printing is currently situated in this continuum.
The successful candidate will have academic experience in digital humanities, cultural heritage, digital visual studies, art history, applied arts or will be able to show how their expertise fits with the project. Some experience with data collection and analysis is preferable.
About the supervisor
Valeria is a Lecturer in Digital Humanities in the Digital Humanities Institute (DHI), with a particular research focus on digital cultural heritage, visual digital humanities, and digital archives. To find out more about Valeria’s research interests and publications, please visit her University staff profile.
We would advise that you get in touch with Valeria directly (via v.vitale@sheffield.ac.uk) to outline your proposed research proposal. This will allow us to ensure that your application is relevant to the DHI, and also that we have suitable expertise to supervise your project. This is the first step in the application process.
About the Digital Humanities Institute (DHI)
Established in 1994, the DHI’s mission is to support the innovative use of technology and computation within arts, humanities and heritage research as both a method of inquiry and a means of dissemination. Digital culture is everywhere, and it is driven by cultural data.
We collaborate with a wide range of academic and research colleagues, as well as professionals in the heritage, culture and information industries, across the UK and internationally on funded projects with a computational component or digital output. Since the DHI was established, we have delivered over 120 externally funded research projects, collaborated with more than 125 external partners, and received grants from 39 funders.
Our expertise include database development, computational ontologies, natural language processing, computational linguistics, data visualisation and 3D, user-centred design and mobile apps.
In addition to the digital expertise within our institute, you will have access to our diverse range of research expertise across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, allowing you to explore your research interests in depth, collaborate with a wide range of researchers and gain insight from different perspectives.
To find out more about the DHI’s research, please visit our DHI research website.
As a student you will also be part of our supportive research community in the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities. You can find out more about our School and research culture on our School website.