Arts Digital: History

In 2007, following an internal review, the Faculty determined it would move from simple or basic provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) support and infrastructure to a new focus on technology-based research and development, and the web. To accomplish this, a new organisational unit, Arts Digital, was formed in 2008.

Arts Digital was created around a skilled team of Faculty staff, who were joined by new staff from a variety of leading edge companies and projects. Arts Digital has an outward-looking perspective and provides research, consultancy and technical services to areas within the Faculty and within the University, and also to external projects and clients.

This shift in focus has allowed the Faculty freedom to reconceptualise the role of technology in research and teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences and to focus on more sophisticated and innovative approaches that benefit Faculty students and staff. These benefits include the enhancement of the social impact of the Faculty’s staff and students' scholarly achievements.

As part of this reconceptualisation, the Faculty has taken advantage of Shared Services provided by the University's Central ICT. Shared Services provide generic ICT services, such as email, network infrastructure and desktop support, allowing the Faculty to transition to more sophisticated Faculty- and department-specific technology-based development and services under the management of Arts Digital.