- The VOICES project, led by Prof Jane Ohlmeyer and funded by the European Research Council, aims to uncover the hidden experiences of women in early modern Ireland.
- Utilizing advanced digital technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration, the project seeks to amplify the voices of ordinary women marginalized in historical narratives.
- Through AI-driven text recognition tools and the creation of a Knowledge Graph, the project endeavors to transform fragmented historical records into accessible knowledge.
- Over a five-year period, VOICES will explore women’s roles during a time of societal upheaval, document their experiences of trauma and civil war, and investigate the agency they exercised in shaping their lives.
- Ultimately, the project serves as a model for future historical research endeavors seeking to recover marginalized voices from the past.
Main AI News:
A pioneering endeavor in historical research is underway, poised to reshape our understanding of early modern Ireland. The VOICES project, recently unveiled at Trinity College Dublin, marks a significant leap forward in uncovering the experiences of women amidst the turmoil of the 16th and 17th centuries. Spearheaded by Prof Jane Ohlmeyer and funded by the European Research Council with €2.5 million, this initiative promises to amplify the voices of women long obscured by traditional historical narratives.
In an exclusive interview, Prof Ohlmeyer elucidated the project’s core mission: “Women, though often overlooked in historical accounts, were integral to the fabric of early modern Ireland. Their stories, scattered across a myriad of historical documents, deserve to be unearthed and brought to light.”
The interdisciplinary team behind VOICES, comprising historians, literary scholars, data analysts, and computer scientists, is set to deploy cutting-edge digital technologies in tandem with rigorous historical scholarship. By harnessing AI-driven text recognition tools like Transkribus and exploring new Generative AI tools, the project aims to piece together the fragmented narratives of ordinary women.
Prof Declan O’Sullivan, leading the computer science aspect, expressed confidence in ADAPT’s ability to rise to the challenge: “Transforming vast troves of historical data into accessible knowledge presents formidable technical hurdles. However, with Knowledge Graph and AI-driven technologies at our disposal, we are poised to unlock invaluable insights.“
Central to the project’s vision is the creation of a Knowledge Graph—a dynamic online repository that will revolutionize the accessibility and organization of historical information. This groundbreaking tool will empower researchers and the public alike to delve into the untold stories of women’s lives in early modern Ireland.
Over the course of five years, the VOICES project will embark on a multifaceted journey:
- Uncovering previously inaccessible information on ordinary women. • Building an open-access Knowledge Graph to fuel new research.
- Investigating women’s roles in a period of profound transformation.
- Documenting women’s experiences of social upheaval and trauma.
- Exploring female agency amidst societal turmoil.
- Setting a precedent for future endeavors in historical recovery.
As the VOICES project unfolds, it promises to not only rewrite history but to amplify the voices of those long relegated to the margins. With its innovative blend of technology and scholarship, it heralds a new era of historical inquiry—one where the hidden narratives of women take center stage.
Conclusion:
The VOICES project represents a paradigm shift in historical research, leveraging digital technologies to bring marginalized narratives to the forefront. For businesses operating in the market of historical research, this initiative highlights the growing demand for inclusive and interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge production. By embracing innovative methodologies and prioritizing diversity in historical narratives, organizations can tap into new markets and attract a broader audience eager for nuanced perspectives on the past.
