Reynolds College Blog

Digital humanities strategies enhance interdisciplinary research

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The online encyclopedia Britannica defines the humanities as “those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture.”

In the 21st century, digital technology now dominates all fields and professions, including the humanities. As a result, the field of digital humanities (DH) has emerged as an innovative approach to blending the two.

“There’s a lot of scholarship on what digital humanities is and isn’t,” said Assistant Professor Leah Washburn. “Ultimately, I think it is an area that acknowledges technology as an asset to fields that are often associated with older scholastic traditions.”

One of the most attractive features of DH is its ability to foster interdisciplinary research and teaching, according to Washburn.

“At its core, digital humanities celebrates an interdisciplinary turn in the humanities,” she said. “It invites exploration and inquiry across multiple platforms, fields and subjects in a way that highlights connections between knowledge bases.” [Read more…] about Digital humanities strategies enhance interdisciplinary research

Sociology students present research in Brazil over summer

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Two Missouri State University students presented their research at the 22nd Biennial Meeting for the Society of Brazilian Sociology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in July 2025.

Bruno Miranda Guerra and Sophia Dela Coleta presented, “Cannabis in Context: Attitudes and Consumption Patterns Among College Students in Missouri” at the conference.

Miranda Guerra is a recent graduate of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG). He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Second Language Acquisition in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions. Dela Coleta is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Missouri State.

Sociology Associate Professors Dr. Herbert Rodrigues and Dr. Abby Templar Rodrigues accompanied Miranda Guerra and Dela Coleta to the conference and presented their own research.

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Eight Missouri State students enjoy studying in Ecuador

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One graduate and seven undergraduate students from Missouri State University traveled to Ecuador June 17-July 10 as part of the university’s Education Abroad program.

Undergraduates Kai Schiller, Dean Clabough, Joseph Barta, Amanda Gott and Erika Bears are all students in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG). Kenyon Broten studies in the Department of History and Micah Rudd is a double major in anthropology and chemistry. Graduate student Paige Bossaller studies environmental plant science in the William H. Darr College of Agriculture.

The group was led by Jason Shepard, senior instructor in anthropology. The 2025 trip marked the second time he has headed the popular program.

[Read more…] about Eight Missouri State students enjoy studying in Ecuador

Nancy Allen Writing II award winners announced

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Missouri State University’s Department of English has announced the winners and finalists of the first annual Nancy Allen Research Writing Awards competition.

Winning entries represented a variety of writings, according to Lori Rogers, Writing II coordinator. Paper topics included discipline-specific, source-informed arguments as well as source-informed texts for digital platforms, the workplace and creative audiences.

Currently, the competition features two categories, “Entering the Conversation” and “Expanding the Conversation.” The selection committee, comprised of Writing II faculty members, chose three winners for each category along with several finalists.

Submission quality reveals student effort

Rogers said the quality of student writing reminded the committee “how hard our students work to excel at one of the most difficult tasks we have as human beings: conveying our ideas, questions and conclusions on paper or on screen. That’s a challenging endeavor for any of us.”

The committee was also impressed with the level of faculty engagement, Rogers noted. Writing II instructors nominated student entries through an anonymous submission and awards selection process.

“Given this was our first year offering the awards, we were all very surprised and happy to discover we had faculty submissions for 28 students,” she said. “That number really indicates how many of our teachers were willing to make the effort to give their students a chance at recognition for their hard work.”

The competition recognizes exemplary student research and writing from any Writing II course. Eligible courses include AGR 320; ENG 210, 221, 310, and 321; GLG 358; and HST 210.

Winners featured on department website

The English Department is featuring the selected entries on its website, Rogers said. She hopes this heightened online presence will allow future Writing II students to learn from their peers.

“Most texts that students read are written by highly qualified and established writers, so we are so grateful to have a way to demonstrate student writing that’s coming from a closer level of possibility and inspiration,” she noted.

[Read more…] about Nancy Allen Writing II award winners announced

Digital Humanities Lab accepting project proposals for 2026-2027

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Missouri State University’s Digital Humanities Lab (DHL) is now accepting project proposals to be funded during the 2026-27 fiscal year. Financial and technical support is available for innovative research projects that will be showcased through the DHL website and in annual events hosted by the lab.

Those interested in applying or wanting more information can visit the DHL website. The website provides information about the proposal process, the project proposal form and other FAQs.

DHL is accepting proposal applications through Nov. 16, 2025.

About the DHL

The DHL, which opened in Fall 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the Missouri State University Libraries.

Headquartered in the lower level of the Duane G. Meyer Library, the DHL provides resources and guidance for faculty and students to create digital scholarship projects.

The DHL offers multiple hardware and software resources commonly used in the humanities. These include computer workstations, photography and video equipment, scanners, drones and image editing, data analysis and design software packages.

Contact information

For questions related to the lab, contact DHL Faculty Advisory Committee co-chairs RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley and Library Associate Dean Rachel Besara.

Visit DHL

 

Photo by Kevin White/Missouri State University.