Event Details

Edward González-Tennant earned his PhD from the University of Florida in 2011 for pioneering research on the application of digital archaeology to better understand the 1923 Rosewood Massacre. His broader research focuses on the use of digital, geospatial, and remote sensing technologies for archaeology, with a particular emphasis on racialized historical groups. All of Dr. González-Tennant's work is grounded by an interest in public outreach.

Digital technologies provide a powerful toolkit for researching, interpreting, and sharing archaeological knowledge with the public. The growing use of virtual technologies by archaeologists for these purposes is possible because of advances in computing power, expanding Internet access, and the maturation of free and open source software (FOSS). This online seminar will discuss best practices for integrating virtual applications into larger public archaeology work. A brief discussion of digital archaeology grounds an exploration of virtual reality (VR) and similar applications like augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). The instructor will present best practices in terms of workflows, available software, and online platforms, followed by a case study exploring more than 15 years of work regarding the 1923 Rosewood Massacre. Ultimately, this seminar is oriented toward providing participants applicable knowledge useful for crafting strong proposals, tailoring work to diverse audiences, and involving stakeholders across the lifetime of projects.

1. Differentiate virtual reality from similar terms such as augmented reality, mixed reality, and various 3D applications.
2. Learn through specific case studies how the application of virtual reality and related technologies assist in translating archaeological research into public knowledge.
3. Develop an awareness of best practices (and associated software) for integrating virtual reality alongside other forms of public outreach.