Digital Heritage

Digital Heritage is a field of research that uses digital tools to support the analysis, conservation, and dissemination of heritage. The HMS Digital Lab offers resources for developing research projects related to digital heritage, such as 3D printers, photogrammetry workstation, and VR headsets. 

 
Graduate Student Research 

Megan Ostrenga investigated the feasibility of using 3D models created by photogrammetry for research purposes. She made 3D models of 60 Casas Grande pottery vessels and compared them to the actual objects. Megan discovered that the 3D models were reliable representations of the pottery vessels that researchers could use instead of the real objects. This research demonstrated that museums could offer digital copies of their physical collections to researchers, that could increase accessibility and preservation. The objects would not have to be handled directly by researchers in their analysis. 

Thesis Title: Photogrammetric Modeling of Museum Collections for Researcher Access 

Darcy Phillips is exploring how Virtual Reality exhibits work in museums. She is examining if VR exhibits satisfy the visitors' needs through a survey at the Lubbock Lake Landmark.  

Thesis Title: A Study of Audience Expectations of Immersive Virtual Reality Museum Exhibits

Alyssa Dewaele is investigating how museums and heritage sites are using AR and VR immersive experiences in their mobile Apps through a cross-sectional survey. 

Thesis Title: A Cross Sectional Review of How Museum and Cultural Institutions are Using Immersive Technologies in Mobile Applications