Syriaca.org and the Digital Lab at Vanderbilt University are pleased to invite applications for a virtual workshop on “Digital Encoding for the Study of Syriac Literature” to be held 29 June to 9 July, 2026 (with 5 days of live instruction).
Participation in the workshop is free of charge and will be held via Zoom at the following times:
Live Instruction: Monday, June 29; Tuesday, June 30; Thursday, July 2; Tuesday, July 7; and Thursday, July 9: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (2:00-6:00 PM UTC/GMT)
We invite researchers, graduate students, faculty members, independent scholars, librarians, and technologists with expertise in Syriac Studies to join this workshop to learn best practices for encoding Syriac data using the Syriaca.org data model.
There is no cost to participate in the workshop, and all who complete the workshop will receive a letter of completion. For those interested, it is also possible to earn continuing education credit through Vanderbilt University for a modest fee.
Through the generosity of the Institute for Classical Christian Studies, we are also pleased to be able to offer a limited number of $500 stipends to participants who successfully complete the workshop and become contributing editors to Syriaca.org. Preference will be given to students, early career scholars, independent scholars, and others if funds permit.
Participants will learn the following:
- An introduction to Syriaca.org and other digital projects within the field of Syriac studies.
- How to use tools for collaborative digital humanities research, including XML editors and GitHub version control software.
- Best practices for using the TEI XML encoding standard widely used within the field of Digital Humanities.
- How to link data to the Syriaca.org knowledge graph.
- An introduction to using AI with Syriaca.org’s digital resources.
This summer, the workshop will teach the above material through focusing on Syriaca.org’s New Handbook of Syriac Literature.
The workshop is especially recommended for scholars who would like to prepare their own digital projects or contribute data to Syriaca.org’s existing databases. All training will be in English.
Space in the workshop is limited, so participants are requested to apply to participate at this link: Workshop Application (https://forms.gle/dnXUbfSKkMw5tp2A8).
Applications will be approved on a first-come basis until the workshop is full, so please apply as soon as you are able.
Participant requirements include:
- A commitment to participate in the entire workshop (approximately 20 hours synchronous and 20 hours asynchronous activities).
- Ability to read at least beginning Syriac and previous academic training in Syriac texts.
- Access to the internet and the ability to join a Zoom video call.
- Access to a computer and permission to install software and fonts on that computer.
- No software is required (the workshop will provide it).
- No prior knowledge of digital encoding is required (the workshop will provide all necessary training).
Contact Information:
Interested applicants are invited to direct any questions about the workshop to the Director of Syriaca.org, Dr. Daniel L. Schwartz: daniel.schwartz@tamu.edu.
Application Form:
https://forms.gle/dnXUbfSKkMw5tp2A8
Deadline: Rolling; applicants are recommended to apply as soon as possible.
About Syriaca.org:
Syriaca.org’s mission is to produce tools and reference resources that will overcome some of the access and discovery problems that currently impede scholarly research on the Syriac language, cultures, and history. The principal objectives are threefold: to compile and organize core data on Syriac sources, to create digital tools to disseminate this data and facilitate further research, and to establish an online hub (cyberinfrastructure) to support future research in Syriac studies.
About The Digital Lab:
The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries’ Digital Lab at Vanderbilt University advances the creation, development, and sustainability of faculty- and student-driven digital projects while identifying opportunities to establish infrastructure, scale engagement, and introduce lifecycle and project management practices. The Lab articulates an understanding of our shared cultural heritage through emerging technologies and research methods while fostering transdisciplinary teaching and learning through collaborative experimentation, shared learning, and discovery.
About Vanderbilt University:
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or genetic information in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment.