How we work

The DRI is a fundamental pivot of co-design practices at the C²DH. Rather than acting as a service provider, we work as embedded collaborators — joining research teams early in the process to shape how historical questions are asked, how data is structured, and how research results are ultimately shared.

• In research data management, modelling, analysis and visualization, DRI and researchers work together to construct research data, develop thoughtful analytical frameworks, and build meaningful interpretations that meet the highest standards of historical scholarship
• In design and development, we tailor every solution to the nature of the project and its data — creating experiences that don’t just present findings, but make them genuinely accessible and engaging for diverse audiences, from specialists to the general public.

Clusters

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  Research cluster

  Design and Visualisations

  The Design and Visualisation cluster transforms complex historical datasets and research findings into clear, compelling visual experiences — from interactive data visualisations and 3D reconstructions to narrative-driven digital exhibitions. We work closely with researchers to find the visual language that best serves both the scholarship and its audience.

  • Zoomland
  • 3D Stories
  • Lux Time Machine

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  Research cluster

  Virtual Exhibitions

  The Virtual Exhibitions cluster develops immersive online environments that bring archival materials, research narratives, and multimedia content. We design spaces where history can be explored, not just read.

  • PopKult60
  • 175 ANS POST
  • Minett Stories
  • Framing Luxembourg
  • Memorial Shoah

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  Research cluster

  Artificial Intelligence

  The AI cluster explores how machine learning and computational methods enrich historical research and analysis, examining how algorithmic approaches shape interpretation, discovery, and scholarly workflows.

  • AISTER

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  Research cluster

  Open Publishing

  The Open Publishing cluster supports innovative forms of academic publication that go beyond the traditional article or monograph — embracing layered digital formats, interactive narratives, and open-access models. We are building publishing infrastructures that reflect the complexity and ambition of contemporary historical research.

  • Digital monograph
  • Journal of Digital History

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  Research cluster

  Research Software Development

  The Research Software Development cluster designs and builds the digital tools that power scholarship at the C²DH — from data pipelines and annotation environments to interfaces and preservation infrastructures.

  • Histograph

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  Research cluster

  Teaching

  The Teaching cluster develops resources, training initiatives, and learning environments that equip researchers and students with the critical skills needed to engage with digital methods in historical scholarship. Through Ranke2, our dedicated platform for source criticism in the digital age, we offer structured online learning materials accessible to learners at any stage. We also run workshops and training events that bring these methods to life in collaborative, hands-on settings — helping researchers at all levels make informed, confident decisions when working with digital sources, tools, and data.

  • Ranke.2