In my new role (both for me and for the organization) at the AHA I am tasked with thinking about how the AHA can use the digital environment to better serve our members, the discipline of history, and the historical profession. This is a process that involves creating resources, building services, and leveraging the great work being done in the digital realm across the discipline and on the open web. This should be an exchange between the association and its members (among others) and involve an ongoing dialogue.

I would like to hear from campers what they want from their learned society in the digital realm. How can we utilize the digital environment to better serve the historical profession in the ways they interact with the association, each other, their students, other scholars and the wider world?

This isn’t a proposal (I will have one nearer the date), but I just wanted to give THATCamp participants a heads up about some of the other digital activities at the AHA annual meeting.

If you’re coming to THATCamp and are interested in digital history (which seems likely), you will also want to check out all of the other exciting events, activities and panels related to digital engagement that are happening at the meeting. I’ve written an article that describes a few of the highlights and also has a list of most of the sessions that have a digital focus. There are panels on all manner of digital history including teaching with digital tools and methods, using digital materials as primary sources, the future of historical research in a digital age, and many more.

For the first time this year, we’re hosting a reception for history bloggers and tweeters, so if you’ve ever blogged about history, sent a tweet, or even if you’re curious and interested in talking to people about it over a drink, please come along to the Governor’s Room at the Omni Shoreham on Thursday January 2nd from 5:30-7:00PM.

We’ve also recently had a few cancellations for the Getting Started in Digital History workshop. If you’re new to digital history, and want to participate in a more structured introduction to the tools, techniques and methodologies then reserve your spot now.

So if you haven’t already, consider registering for the annual meeting and taking part in all of the exciting things we have planned.