Our partnership with Arafa developed in the same spirit as our work on Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage (with Digital Lab team providing historical expertise, and Arafa designing the iconic crest and the in-game calligraphy used for the game’s skill trees). Although we worked with Ubisoft independently our mutual desire to bring knowledge of Islamic art and history to wider audiences is very much aligned. There are still a few spots left - It’s hosted by the Digital Lab on Zoom, and we hope...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Spring Updates It's been a busy spring in the Digital Lab! In February we wrapped up the concept phase for Digital Munya 3, our collaboration with Maxime Durand and an international student team. Stay tuned for more on Digital Munya 3 soon. For now, here's a roundup of upcoming events, including a call for proposals for our first Digital Lab Day! Digital Cultural Heritage Seminar, April 8th and 9th (online) AOA - ARCHiVe Online Academy, the joint educational programme between Factum...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Next month I'll be teaming up with one of my games industry collaborators, historian Raphaël Weyland (Ubisoft), for a games industry + academia hybrid event. We'll be talking about our work on the 'History of Baghdad' educational Codex feature from Assassin's Creed Mirage. 'This event aims to bridge academic research and the gaming industry by fostering interdisciplinary connections and career pathways for Arts and Humanities students and staff.' Details linked below. Hope to see...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Winter news from the Digital Lab, January 2025 Córdoba in the Age of the Caliphs | Applications are closing soon for our masterclass on the Islamic art, architecture, archaeology, and history of Córdoba. Apply by 31 January if you'd like to meet us in Spain this spring! Information and how to apply: Visit our website for info With Dr. Rafael Blanco, our collaborator at the University of Córdoba, 2023 Islamic Archaeology Day 2025, UCL London Visit the UCL website for info The 9th annual...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Córdoba in the Age of the Caliphs | 2025 Join us this Spring for the third annual Córdoba in the Age of the Caliphs experience in Spain! This is our masterclass introducing Cordoba’s UNESCO world heritage sites and museum collections, focusing on the medieval Islamic art, architecture, and archaeology of this important historical city. For students and professionals in games/entertainment, cultural heritage, and education. Deadline to apply: 31 January 2025 Click here for details What our...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Season's Greetings Happy holidays! It's been a very busy Fall, and the Digital Lab is signing off for the Edinburgh winter break. Thank you for being part of our global community this year and supporting our mission to make Islamic art and history widely accessible. We look forward to seeing you again in 2025! Til then, wishing you and yours a very peaceful and joyous holiday season. Warm wishes, Glaire & the Digital Lab team p.s. If you'd like to join us in Spain this spring, early...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Córdoba 2025! Next year marks the Digital Lab's third year organising our annual Islamic art, architecture, archaeology, and history field trip to Córdoba, Spain. This is experience is for those who want to delve deep into the art and history of al-Andalus and its global medieval Islamic past, in community with peers working across the academy, GLAM, and games, entertainment, and immersive digital media. Click below to be the first to know when applications open I'm interested! Join us in...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, If you're in Edinburgh or planning on visiting, check out the Game On exhibition, on right now at the National Museum Scotland. Billed as 'the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games', it 'examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform.' We'd love to hear what you think of it! Game On Exhibition Info Game On, National Museum Scotland In Edinburgh for the Festival Fringe? New at the Festival...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader! We put together a new Digital Lab resource to share with you - it's a quick two-page guide to who we are, what we do, who we work with, and WHY we do this work! Get it instantly below: Yes, I want the guide! Our diverse global community is growing every day across games/XR+, GLAM, and Islamic art, architecture, history, and allied fields. If you know someone who shares our commitments and values, could use our support, or would be perfect for our community, please forward this...
12 months ago • 1 min read