Do We Need Digital Scholarship? A Talk by Ed Ayers at Wellesley College

In the torrent of writing about the role of technology in higher education, few commentators mention the creation of new knowledge.  Should the scholarship that embodies scholarly knowledge, that at once defines, circumscribes, and conveys new scholarly thinking, alter its form and substance in the new digital world?

A teacher and scholar of American history, Edward L. Ayers, Ph.D., was named president of the University of Richmond in 2007. Since that time, he has led the UR community in the development of The Richmond Promise — a five-point strategic plan aimed at making the University accessible to a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff who work together with the local community to create a distinctive and integrated learning experience for all.

This approach to innovation in higher education stems from Ayers’ own scholarly pursuits as a pioneer in digital humanities, in which he strives to make complex concepts approachable beyond the world of academia.