Maastricht Virtual Knowledge Studio
The Virtual Knowledge Studio aims to support researchers in the humanities and social sciences in the creation of new scholarly practices, and to stimulate reflection on e-research. A core feature of the VKS is the integration of analysis and design in a close cooperation between social scientists, humanities researchers, information technology experts and information scientists. This integrated approach should provide insights into the ways in which e-research can contribute to new research questions and methods in the humanities and social sciences.
On November 14th 2007, the Maastricht Virtual Knowledge Studio (M-VKS), a joint-venture of the KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and Maastricht University, officially opened. Professor Sally Wyatt is scientific director of the studio. Please refer to the Members section for more information about members of the M-VKS.
The research of the VKS in Maastricht involves two projects. The project "Simulation and the Vulnerability of Technological Culture" studies how different social groups deploy simulations and thus acquire knowledge of a given phenomenon or system. Simulations are constantly refined and calibrated and play an increasingly important role in decision-making - but is this justified in making decisions with tremendous social repercussions? The second project involves Maastricht's cultural heritage and explores the use of digital archives that are partly created by citizens. How may such archives contribute to future research by urban planners and historians? And will such an archive create new biographical narratives of the city of Maastricht? Additional project descriptions can be found in the Research section.
