PhD Graduation Cohort 2025
HEIs: University of Edinburgh & University of Glasgow
Funding: AHRC CDA
Project Title: Making the Past Readable: A Study of the Impact of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) on Libraries and Their Users
Supervisors: Professor Melissa Terras (University of Edinburgh), Professor Paul Gooding (University of Glasgow), Dr Sarah Ames (National Library of Scotland)
What was your research about?
My doctoral thesis examined Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR), the AI-enabled process of converting images of manuscript text into computer readable datasets, as well as other methods to make digital transcriptions more accessible for library audiences. I looked at embedding these methods within the National Library of Scotland on a technical level as part of its digital asset management and digital engagement, how the technology might impact the historical method and broader information environment in the near future. This research involved constructing close dialogue with HTR providers, notably Transkribus – the predominant academic cooperative supporting the technology’s development, based in Innsbruck, Austria. In framing HTR as a socio-technical tool, away from assessing its accuracy, I sought to better situate librarians’ role in directing AI development. In doing so, my thesis aimed to provide librarians greater confidence in utilizing these tools to further their own curatorial work.
What made you apply for the SGSAH AHRC CDA?
I applied for the SGSAH CDA at the high of Covid, while in lockdown -when other career tracks were slowing down or halted outright. I’d finished my MA thesis in more traditional socio-economic history and felt I wanted to carry on with research, after applying for other lines of work. During my MA, I’d come across Transkribus as part of a day workshop at the Dutch National Archives, where curators presented the results of their first Dutch language model on collections at scale, so had some familiarity and interest with the technology.
Which aspects of your PhD did you enjoy the most?
I had the opportunity to attend the Transkribus User Conference in Innsbruck in 2022, where the HTR community gathers to discuss new approaches and the developers announce new feature launches. This included sitting with the developers and seeing their premises, as well as joining a members’ meeting to see how the user community is directly the AI company’s development. Innsbruck is stunning, although the fact that I do not know how to ski limited my excursions a bit.
How has your PhD helped you to decide on a career path?
Apart from the usual transferable writing skills and publication record, my PhD – with a 6-month CDA placement at the NLS – provided a portfolio of practical projects using AI tools. This put me in good stead interviewing for my current post.
And now?
I’m currently a year into a three-year Research Associate post at the University of Sheffield directly the research theme ‘Digital Representations of Cultural Artefacts.’ This has acted as a natural progression from my thesis, as I still working on some text recognition projects focused on automated transcription – notably on colonial archives held by our University Special Collections and 19th newspapers with unpredictable layouts at the National Library of Scotland. However, my work now takes a broader focus of digital representations, writing funding bids looking at 3D modelling, restoring deteriorated acetate photographs, photogrammetry of natural landscape and automated named entity recognition to aid precarious archives in better interlinking their archives. My time is roughly split 50/50 between writing sizable funding bids, coordinating with partners throughout the EU and currently China, and my own research.
One piece of advice you would give an incoming PhD researcher?
The enjoyment sees you through to submission, most PhD students (myself included) experienced the famed ‘second year slump’ where the thesis no longer seems new and exciting but you are also some way of before competition. At this stage – be kind to yourself and chip away, knowing that it will come together. The PhD is a long piece of work and a marathon, expecting yourself to sustain a constant pace does not often bear out in reality.
Also – try to find a practical spin to your skillset during your PhD research, it might not be directly related but taking up a short-term research role at your university working with collections will act as vital experience once on the job market. The thesis is important but not necessary the sole body of work during the PhD
CONNECT WITH JOE (he/him)
Email: Joseph Nockels
Website: www.joenockels.org/
LinkedIn: Joseph Nockels