The project "AHDS Subject Extension Feasibility Study" follows two objectives:

* To systematically survey the requirements and needs of the subject communities of Ancient History, Classics, Law, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies for AHDS services and support.
* To draw up detailed recommendations of how the AHDS can provide for such needs in the future.

It thus seeks to help the AHDS to extend its service provisions across all subjects of the Arts and Humanities. At present, the AHDS provides extensive services on digital resource creation, discovery, and preservation to the subject communities of Archaeology; Medieval and Modern History; Literature, Linguistics and Modern Languages; Performing Arts; and Visual Arts. Scholars working in the subject areas of Ancient History, Classics, Law, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies are only served on a "best effort" basis.

The project will run for one year (January 2004 - December 2004) and is broadly structured into three phases:

* First phase: drawing up of a broad survey of existing digital resources, of ICT-related research in progress and of the usage of digital resources within the uncovered subject areas.
* Second phase: gathering of detailed information through in-depth interviews with researchers and specialists working in the uncovered subject areas.
* Third phase: production of a detailed report on the project’s key findings and its recommendation for the future.

For further information on the project, or for recording the particulars of an ICT-related research project in one of the designated subject areas, please contact

Reto Speck Tel: 020 7848 1974; Email: --firstname.lastname@ahds.ac.uk--.

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This project has been completed. The main findings of the project may be summarised as follows:

* We identified a need for more extensive AHDS services to the subject communities of Classics, Ancient History, Religious Studies, Theology, and Philosophy in the future. The amount of digital resource creation currently undertaken in the subject area of Law does not warrant an extension of existing AHDS services.
* We found out that the uncovered subject communities differ significantly in terms of digital mauturity and, as a consequence, in terms of the kind of services they expect from the AHDS. Whilst Classics and Ancient History are relatively digital mature and in need of advanced services, Religious Studies, Theology and Philosophy are in need of AHDS support at a more basic level.
* We established that extending and enhancing the current 'best effort' provisions of established AHDS subject centres will not be sufficient to meet the needs and requirements of the uncovered subject communities.
* We recommend to provide extended AHDS services to the uncovered subject communities via two 'virtual' AHDS subject centres - one for Classics and Ancient History, and one for Religious Studies, Theology and Philosophy.

Much more detailed information on the project's findings and recommendations can be found in the report ["Subject Extension Feasibility Study"] . This report will be considered by the AHDS Management Board in early March 2005, and an implementation strategy will be drawn up soon thereafter.

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*--New:-- AHDS Classics, Philosophy, Law, Theology and Religious Studies resources*
As part of the initial data collection exercise we have identified existing digital resources held by the AHDS and relevant to the project’s subject areas. These resources can now be accessed via the links below.

* Classics and Ancient History
* Law
* Philosophy
* Theology and Religious Studies

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* Subject Extension Feasibility Study - The AHDS and digital resource creation in Classics, Ancient History, Philosophy, Religious Studies and TheologyPDF document, 484KB | RTF document, 641KB
* Project Plan PDF document, 81KB | RTF document, 343KB
* Project Progress Report 1 PDF document, 65KB | RTF document, 104KB
* Project Progress Report 2 PDF document, 102KB | RTF document, 121KB
* Project Progress Report 3 PDF document, 113KB | RTF document, 131KB
* Project Completion Report PDF document, 157KB | RTF document, 131KB
* 'Philosophy, Religious Studies and the Arts and Humanities Data Service', Paper by Alastair Dunning, AHDS PDF document, 146KB | RTF document, 123KB

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