Universiteit Leiden

nl en

Leiden University Centre for Digital Humanities

Digital Lab

The Digital Lab@Veth in P.J. Veth 1.07 is designed for staff and students who are looking for a place to work, experiment, and find support for their digital research.

Digital Lab P.J. Veth 1.07

Why and for whom?

Humanities research and education have an important role to play in our increasingly digital world. The Digital Lab@Veth is part of a multi-pronged strategy by the Faculty’s Centre for Digital Humanities (LUCDH) that is designed to help all of us meet the challenges and opportunities that come with this role.

Maybe you are a member of staff or a student who is already well-versed in digital media and tools but need advanced equipment and a community of specialists to take your work to the next level? Or are you someone who would like to learn how to bring digital methods into your scholarly practice but need a place to learn and experiment and a support group to start? Or do you need a user-friendly Studio to record your next podcast. Then this is the place for you.

Digital Lab P.J. Veth 1.07

The Digital Lab can be found in the P.J. Veth building in room 1.07. In the lab you will find the following:

  • 2 graphically capable desktops (for e.g. intensive multimedia work, crunching through bigger datasets, and projects that require installation of specific software or programming environments)
  • 2 high-speed processor desktops (for e.g. data crunching or text analysis)
  • 18 Laptops with standard Lipsius installation to use at (group)workstations or bring your own laptop, there is easy access to power outlets
  • Microcomputers (Raspberry Pi) for experimentation and tinkering
  • 2 Virtual Reality headset (Oculus)
  • 3D printer (Ultimaker)
  • Software managed by LUCDH
  • Tobii Eye Tracker

Studio Location:

Next door to the Digital Lab, in P.J. Veth 1.06 (walk through the Student Study Lounge to the end doors, and then up the stairs one floor). Toilets are next door. There is a kitchen with drink water on the next floor up. The Recording Studio can be reserved for creating podcasts/vodcasts or livestreams. The Studio is set up for 4 people to use the mics, i.e., the host and 3 guests. 

New to Recording in the Studio?

The apparatus is very user friendly! However, if you are unfamiliar with the Studio, then join Angus Mol or one of the LUCDH staff for a mini-tour of the Studio and explanation on working the recording equipment. Usually, the tours take place every first Thursday of the month, 15:00-15:30 or we can arrange for a different time preferably during drop-in hours. Please email digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to confirm attendance and times. You can also use this email to reserve time slot(s) when ready to create your podcast(s).

Studio Availability and Bookings

  • Time slots can be booked for Mon-Fri 13:00 - 17:00 during drop-in lab hours. (Time slots in the morning may be available if we have staff to open the Studio.)
  • You can check here for timeslot availability on the Digital Lab & Studio calendar, before emailing digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to reserve. The calendar will open in a separate browser window. Click the 3 dots (...) to show details in the right-hand margin of the Outlook calendar. The Studio bookings are indicated with Podcast or P.J. Veth 1.06.
  • Once you have found a timeslot that works for you, email digital-lab@hum.leidenuniv.nl to make the reservation. You will receive an email to confirm booking.

Important Guidelines when using the Studio:

  • A technician will not be present during the recording of your podcast; therefore, you will need to know how the equipment works or sign up for a tour of the Studio beforehand. However, during drop-in hours staff will be on hand in the neighbouring Digital Lab for simple questions.
  • Audacity is installed on the desktop computer in the Studio for recording your sound tracks. Or you can bring your own laptop and there is a cable to link this to the recording equipment.
  • If you will be linking to guests/interviewees outside the Studio, please let us know beforehand so we can help with setting this up.
  • Computers and peripherals are not to be moved or reconfigured without approval of Lab staff or Classroom teachers. If, after approval, settings have been changed, please return settings to how you found them.
  • If you see a sign 'Don't log out from the computer of physically switch it off'. This means you can still use the computer for recording, but the machine will be working in the background on training data. Therefore, when you leave, don't log or switch the computer off!
  • Make sure to use the door hanger present to indicate that you are recording. Others can then avoid disturbing your recording. If it is visible, do not enter the studio.
  • If you open the windows or turn on the heating, make sure to close the windows and turn off the heating after you are done recording. Lights in the studio turn off automatically.
  • Log out of any personal apps/accounts that you have logged into, i.e. MS Teams or email.
  • Remember to save your work on your laptop or bring a USB stick for this! The Lab cannot be held responsible for the protection of your data or account.

More important than hardware, you will also be able to find others here who take a specific interest in digital tools and thinking. For instance, during opening times (13:00-17:00 drop-in times), there will always be people present who know their way around the lab and digital tools, can answer your questions, or know others who will. Furthermore, the Lab will also host workshops on things like programming, digital mapping, networks, interactive storytelling, deep learning and LLMs. These will usually take place once a month on Friday afternoon. See the Workshop page for details.

We also provide the Skills Hub with space for their workshops and equipment. Contact: Federica Notari.
MA Translation teachers and students are regular users of the Digital Lab. Contact: Susana Valdez and Lettie Dorst.

 

  • The digital lab is open during semesters for drop-ins every afternoon, 13:00 - 17:00 (unless otherwise stated on the Studio/Lab calendar. Seating for 25. You can drop in during this time and work on your digtital projects.
  • A staff member of LUCDH is always present. Email us if you have specific questions about software for a project you are working on, and need specific assistance with it.
  • If machines are not in use or reserved, you can just use them.
  • If you are using one of the lab computers:
    - Remember to save your own work to an external memory drive or to the cloud! We cannot guarantee your work will be saved locally on our lab computers. 
    - Clear your browsing history and log out of personal accounts.
  • E-mail us - contacts below - if you wish to organize or teach a DH workshop(s).

The P.J. Veth building is located in the garden areas opposite the Hortus botanicus. If approaching from the Lipsius direction, walk through the Hortus botanicus outside café seating area, around the glass house, and then almost the length of P.J. Veth. Enter the building via the main entrance staircase. Once through the wooden and glass doors, turn immediately right, and through the Student Study Lounge. Exit the lounge and take the stairs up to the first floor. You'll have found the Digital Lab in P.J. Veth 1.07! The Podcast Recording Studio is next door in 1.06. Please contact us if you need  assistance with access. (There are washrooms opposite the lab; and a small kitchen area with drink water one floor above the lab.)

Want to join an LUCDH workshop?

  • Check under Activities, and register usually via email or a FormDesk. 

Want to discuss organizing a gathering in the Digital Lab. Any questions or comments? We would love to hear them! 

Want to make a booking in the Digital Lab (PJV 1.07) for a gathering or for teaching workshop(s)?

Want to use the Recording Studio or need instruction on studio equipment (PJV 1.06)?

P.J. Veth Building
This website uses cookies.  More information.