Fulbright Digital Humanities Laboratory (DHLab@Fulbright) is a pioneering student-led initiative, supported by the Vietnam Studies Center at Fulbright University Vietnam. By adopting a novel approach to education and research that combines digital technology with traditional fields such as social sciences, humanities, and arts, DHLab@Fulbright is not only an academic laboratory but also a platform to promote educational innovation at Fulbright.
Driven by a burning passion for Vietnam Studies, Vũ An – co-founder of the organization and a fourth-year student at Fulbright University Vietnam – has shared numerous insights after leading DHLab@Fulbright to conquer various competitions and prestigious awards.
A New Approach to Education and Research
Aiming to be at the forefront of integrating digital technology into the humanities, DHLab@Fulbright was established to fill a gap in the education system of Southeast Asia, where initiatives in digital humanities are still relatively limited. The establishment of DHLab@Fulbright not only contributes to the development of education but also affirms Fulbright University’s pioneering role in promoting interdisciplinary learning and research methods, especially in the context of the increasingly pervasive influence of technology.
Digital Humanity is the combination of digital technology and traditional studies of history, literature, culture, and society, creating new and innovative approaches in academia. The DHLab@Fulbright team aims to develop this field in Vietnam, opening doors for young people and researchers to access modern technology in projects related to history, literature, and social issues.
Dr. Nguyen Nam, director of Vietnam Studies Center at Fulbright University Vietnam, spoke at “Digital Humanities: Humanities and Digital Technology for the Community.”
The Journey of Building DHLab@Fulbright
The establishment of DHLab@Fulbright is a testament to the determination and leadership of Fulbright students. DHLab@Fulbright has overcome many initial challenges to become a realized project and is highly regarded.
Vu An, the president of the DHLab@Fulbright digital humanities lab, shared: “In the early stages, we needed to prove the feasibility of this idea to the school’s leadership. We needed to convince the school that the project was not only feasible but also necessary to promote educational innovation in Vietnam.”
To address this issue, the team organized an important field trip to Hanoi in early 2023 to assess the project’s feasibility, learn best practices, and build relationships with relevant stakeholders. Exchanges with the British Council, Goethe-Institut, VICAS (Vietnam National Institute of Fine Arts), VinUniversity, the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), the National Library of Vietnam, and the Department of Cultural Heritage have created an important foundation for understanding the potential and challenges of Digital Humanity, thereby adjusting the approach to suit educational needs. Through these meetings, the team successfully conveyed DHLab’s vision and mission and received enthusiastic support from partners both inside and outside the school.
In August 2023, the team presented their research findings on “Developing a Centralized Digital Humanities Platform for Vietnam : Opportunities and Challenges” at the international conference “Engaging with Vietnam.” The paper received positive feedback from the academic community, strengthening the significance of DHLab@Fulbright and opening up new potential research directions in the field of digital humanities in Vietnam.
These events played an essential role in proving the feasibility of DHLab@Fulbright. Prior to this success, the Vietnam Studies Center at Fulbright University Vietnam agreed to sponsor, facilitate development, and ensure the sustainability of the experimental group, affirming the practical and educational value of Digital Humanities. Mr. Frank Proschan, former senior officer at UNESCO, remarked, ” By integrating diverse information resources and collections, the DH Lab makes possible new understandings of old questions and also raises new questions made possible only by the intersection of those assembled resources. Its potential is boundless and its contributions are certain to be transformative.”
A discussion between DHLab@Fulbright members and the Department of Cultural Heritage (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism).
Promoting Interdisciplinary and Inter-university Cooperation
In March 2024, DHLab@Fulbright was officially launched, marking a significant milestone in the journey to build a digital humanities platform in Vietnam. This is not only a research laboratory but also a space for students and researchers to explore together how digital technology can transform approaches to fields such as history, literature, and sociology. The establishment of DHLab@Fulbright is not only the result of individual efforts but also a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity from the students themselves.
“We are working hard to promote interdisciplinary and inter-university cooperation. Students who are strong in the Social Sciences often have many creative ideas to solve problems but have difficulties in implementation, especially when it comes to applying technology. Conversely, students who are strong in Science and Technology have abundant resources but lack specific ideas to carry out projects. This highlights the need to connect students from different disciplines and universities,” Vu An shared.
To date, DHLab@Fulbright has had several products that have received positive feedback from the community, such as “Braille Music Access” which won first prize at the RMIT Accessibility Design Competition. This project was developed by students from various disciplines such as Vietnam Studies, Economics, Social Studies, and Computer Science. This achievement demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in solving problems and creating appropriate solutions.
Recently, DHLab@Fulbright organized the event “Vệt số ZènG” in collaboration with FPT University students, emphasizing the need to digitize patterns, especially those of minority communities that are gradually disappearing. Additionally, DHLab@Fulbright has co-organized the “Dialogue: Thất/lạc” event at the Vietnam Creativity & Design Festival organized by RMIT University, introducing a new approach to non-continuous historical periods using technology.
“Dialogue: Thất/lạc” event at the Vietnam Creativity & Design Festival.
The Future of DHLab@Fulbright
DHLab@Fulbright continues to connect the humanities and technology while striving for sustainable development to meet the research and teaching needs of the digital age. By applying technology to social and cultural issues, the group aims to contribute to the future of education and research in Vietnam. With close cooperation with partners and the academic community, DHLab@Fulbright hopes to not only expand knowledge but also promote innovative projects, address important humanities issues, and contribute to the overall development of society.
“We want to create an environment that can foster students’ abilities to explore new perspectives in the humanities through the application of technology. From DHLab, we aim to create a collaborative community focused on shared values,” said Vu An.
DHLab@Fulbright believes that approaching the humanities through the lens of technology not only enriches the common knowledge base but also inspires new and creative thinking among students.
The panel discussion “Digital Humanities: Humanities and Digital Technology for the Community”
