Gianluca Ferraro from the University of Palermo recently completed a Transnational Access stay at KU Leuven. His visit focused on fostering collaboration between technologists and scholars in the study of religion, with a special emphasis on digital humanities and AI-driven research tools to contribute to the RESILIENCE Research Infrastructure.
We asked Gianluca about his experience:
What was the aim of your Transnational Access stay at KU Leuven?
My time at KU Leuven was incredibly productive. As a technologist working on the ITSERR project (Italian Strengthening of ESFRI RI Resilience) at the University of Palermo, I had the opportunity to engage with researchers and PhD candidates from the Research Unit History of Church and Theology at the Maurits Sabbe Library. This library is part of KU Leuven’s Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and serves as a Research and Heritage Library.
Who were the key people you interacted with during your stay, and what topics did you discuss?
Together with Dries Bosschaert, Assistant Professor, and Lieneke Timpers, RESILIENCE TNA Manager, we explored potential future collaborations, particularly within the ITSERR Project Software Lab—a research and development hub where religious studies scholars and IT specialists co-create AI-based tools.
I also visited the Book Heritage Lab with researcher Alberto Campagnolo. This interdisciplinary center focuses on the diagnosis, research, and conservation of medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and documentary heritage. We discussed possibilities for joint research in digital humanities.
What kind of collaborative opportunities did you explore during your visit?
We looked into how the ITSERR Software Lab could partner with KU Leuven’s research units to develop innovative AI tools tailored for religious studies. Discussions with Dries Bosschaert and Lieneke Timpers centered on integrating theological research with advanced IT solutions. At the Book Heritage Lab, Alberto Campagnolo and I considered joint projects in digital humanities, especially those involving manuscript conservation and digitization, which could benefit from AI-enhanced methodologies.
Why did you choose KU Leuven as your destination?
KU Leuven was a natural choice. It’s one of the oldest theological faculties in the world and ranks among the top ten globally in theology and religious studies. At the same time, it’s deeply engaged in developing IT solutions for digital humanities through units like LIBIS, which supports KU Leuven Libraries, and the Book Heritage Lab.
What benefits will the cooperation have for researchers in the study of religion?
One of the key components of the ITSERR project at the University of Palermo is the creation of SOFTWARE LAB—a dedicated software laboratory aimed at developing customized IT tools and services for religious studies research. This initiative seeks to shift the role of religious studies scholars from passive users of existing technologies to active drivers of innovation, especially in areas like AI, big data, and high-performance computing (HPC).
Many thanks for the interview, Gianluca! We wish you continued success with your research.
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Visual: Gianluca Ferraro (University of Palermo) and Dr. Alberto Campagnolo (KU Leuven) in the manuscript collection of the Maurits Sabbe Library at KU Leuven.