2025
Digital Lab Academy
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Islamic Art Architecture and History online Professional Development Training
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Introduction to Al-Andalus

Professional development for game designers, educators, and history enthusiasts

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Dates: December 1- 4, 12:00-1:30 EST

Time: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm EST/ 5pm – 6:30pm UK

Location: Online, Zoom

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This class series will introduce participants to the diversity of the art and architecture of al-Andalus from the eighth through fifteenth centuries. These sessions will cover broad historical context as well as the defining art and architecture of the key dynasties of the region, including the Cordoban Umayyad caliphate.

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There is a limit of 8 participants per class in order to foster conversation, create a cohort, and leave time to address individual questions and areas of interest. Classes will not be recorded.

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If you're interested in purchasing a recorded version contact [email protected]

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Training for cultural representation and historical world-building

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Meet Your Instructor

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Sarah Slingluff, PhD

Sarah is our Digital Lab Education Lead, teaching Islamic history and art history - any level, no prior knowledge needed - to industry professionals who want to diversify their content with academically vigorous information.

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Besides her work with game development teams (Ubisoft, Abertay University) and internally in our Digital Lab games R&D at University of Edinburgh, Sarah's experience is grounded in 10+ years in the classroom, her work with medieval Arabic language sources, and ongoing work in the archaeology of al-Andalus. These provide her with unique approaches to teaching the art, architecture, and archaeology of early Islamic empire for students and professionals in games and entertainment.
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Sarah's Values and Priorities:

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Seeing everyone.
Supporting people’s creative visions.
Kindness.
Giving back.

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Professional development for history, art, and culture enthusiasts

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… As someone developing a narrative-driven city-building game rooted in medieval Al-Andalus, the course illuminated connections I hadn’t fully seen before and grounded my creative vision in richer historical nuance. Immense thanks to Sarah Slingluff, PhD for bringing exceptional depth, clarity, and passion to every session. Her knowledge not only informed but inspired—and reminded me why I fell in love with this history…

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It was an inspiring experience to explore how historical Islamic spaces, aesthetics, and material culture can be thoughtfully integrated into video game design, moving beyond stereotypes toward a more historically grounded and decolonial approach…this course offered a powerful new lens for rethinking visual storytelling, sacred space, and how religion might be represented in the digital age.

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I enjoyed the wealth of information. Sarah is very knowledgeable and passionate about the history. I especially appreciated how she connected the cultural influences and how they moved through each time period. Knowing that certain architecture like mosques are built from different cultural contributions was really important to be able to design landmarks for particular time periods.

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I personally enjoyed learning about patterns, details and symbolism in each different time period. It was also interesting to see how the art and architecture progressed between each dynasty and how each dynasty adapted their artwork based on the prior period.

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The experience was great! I especially enjoyed how the sessions linked historical figures and events with specific locations and timelines. I was surprised by the use of human and animal figures in early Islamic art…

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Sarah’s genuine passion and enthusiasm for the material truly resonated with me. It came through in every session which made the content feel captivating and inspiring. The course offered a well-rounded exploration of architecture and artworks, and I especially enjoyed learning about the Abbasids and the architectural details of Samarra.

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Course Fee

In the spirit of supporting economic justice and wide accessibility to our cohort-based online learning, the Digital Lab is trialing a sliding scale.* We trust you will invest in this unit at a rate that works best for your individual circumstances.

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Our aim is to create an organisation where anyone who wishes to can fully participate, and in which the organizers and instructors are compensated fairly.

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Minimum: £200

If you've been laid off or are experiencing financial hardship

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Standard: £322

If you're employed/have access to steady income. If spreading the cost is helpful we offer a 3 month payment plan: click here​

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True Value/Pay it Forward: £720

If you're economically secure/privileged. Your contribution at this tier provides a scholarship for a participant to access this training who may not otherwise have been able to participate

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Premium/VIP: £1000

For professionals in senior positions, and those looking for a more personalised experience, this includes:

• Live Q&A or private mentoring session with Founding Director, Dr. Glaire Anderson
• A curated reading list
• Access to private audio content to support course learnings

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Interested in this session for your school or organisation?

We also offer this session for game design & development schools and industry teams. Email [email protected] with group size, ideal times and dates for a private session, any additional requests (certificate of attendance, etc), and contact name and email and we'll follow up directly.

Open to all - places are limited

Interested? Let us know below

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