LEADR Lab

LEADR, the Lab for Education and Advancement in Digital Research, is a collaborative initiative between the History and Anthropology departments at Michigan State University (MSU). This innovative lab, located on the first floor of the Old Horticulture Building, opened in August 2014 and serves as a hub for students to develop digital skills in the context of historical thinking. The primary focus of LEADR is to enhance traditional history education by incorporating digital technologies and methodologies. While History and Anthropology courses at MSU do an exceptional job of promoting  field knowledge, critical thinking, research, and writing skills, LEADR aims to enhance this work by bridging the gap between these traditional classroom approaches and modern digital competencies.

LEADR provides a space for both undergraduate and graduate students to engage in hands-on learning experiences with digital tools and techniques. Students collaborate with peers, faculty members, and digital technology specialists to create innovative projects that go beyond conventional essay writing. This approach not only fosters creativity but also equips students with valuable skills in data mining and visualization, digital analysis and mapping, web-based presentations and storytelling, among many other technologies. The lab’s design is inspired by REAL (Research Engaged Active Learning) classrooms, promoting interactive learning and increased faculty-student engagement. It facilitates “flipped teaching” methods, where students work together on in-class assignments and collaborative projects. This environment encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and introduces students to new platforms for creative expression.

By integrating digital competencies into the History and Anthropology curriculum, LEADR aims to enhance students’ employability and appeal to graduate schools. The lab plays a crucial role in the ongoing redesign of the history major at MSU, which includes proposals for internship options and courses featuring new web-based projects. Through LEADR, MSU is addressing the need for historians to engage with digital technologies and methodologies, preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital landscape while maintaining the core values of historical education.

Tools and methods

Research methods in LEADR range widely— from learning to code and use version control, creating public-facing exhibits of historical evidence, exploring landscapes through satellite data, and creating multimedia storymaps that center place-based historical evidence. Our main lab has Mac and PC computers, DSLR cameras, camcorders, tripods, light kits, microphones, and more. The 3-D imaging workstations include twp custom built PCs with photogrammetry software and two 3D printers. The LEADR Meeting Room can be reserved by students for online interviews or small group collaboration. This studio also includes our book scanner. The A/V studio can be set up for audio or video recording.

We love to brainstorm—what kinds of research interest you?