The Laboratory for Multimodal History is a key component of the research infrastructure of the Department “Knowledge Systems and Collective Life.” In collaboration with the central service units of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science—the library, digital humanities, IT, and research communication and management teams—the lab provides researchers with an experimental space for developing innovative, ethical, and community-centered approaches to oral history, ethnography, film, and other multimodal methods. While centered in the department, its facilities are available to researchers and staff from across the Institute.
Getting Started: Researchers at the MPIWG who are interested in recording in the lab space, borrowing a field kit, using an editing workstation, or getting advice on consent forms, transcription software, data protection, and other matters, can email the lab team or check out the links below. To borrow equipment or book the lab space, please refer to the forms found here.
Resources
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Lab SpaceThe lab offers an acoustically isolated room on the library floor of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin-Dahlem that can be flexibly arranged for meetings, training sessions, audio and video recordings, screenings, and listening sessions. It is equipped to support the production of oral history interviews, podcasts, essay films, and other experiments in audiovisual research and communication, both onsite and offsite.
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Field KitsThe lab offers several types of kits for fieldwork and on-the-go recording. These include kits based around DSLR cameras and portable audio recorders, which are capable of producing archival-quality video and audio recordings in interview scenarios, as well as a selection of smartphone-based audio recording solutions for more compact setups. The field kits have been designed to enable researchers to produce high-quality video and/or audio recordings with minimal technical know-how.
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Additional EquipmentIn addition to the field kits, the lab is equipped with a high-quality production camera, LED lighting, a selection of fast zoom lenses and audio equipment for use in documentary or other more technically ambitious productions.
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Post-ProductionThe lab provides support for projects through the various stages of post-production. It offers an Apple-based workstation equipped with specialized hardware and software for interview transcription and video editing.
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Show and TellThe lab hosts regular "Show and Tell" sessions to present the available equipment and answer any questions. These sessions are also an opportunity for researchers to familiarize themselves with the field kits. If there is interest in training related to a particular project, please get in touch with us and we may be able to help.
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Essay Film CourseIn addition to the "Show and Tell" sessions, the lab also offers an essay film course—a four-day intensive program designed for researchers who would like to learn filmmaking skills in the essay film and experimental documentary tradition.
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Production SupportThe lab can also support media projects that require external professional services for planning, production, or post-production. We are happy to advise and make introductions to filmmakers and other media practitioners for projects that might require such external services.
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Research EthicsThe lab supports the department’s efforts to minimize the potential for harm and to practice care in our research. It offers guidance on research ethics and responsible research practices and can provide model consent forms and interview checklists.
Sounding Board
The development of the Multimodal History Lab has been advised by a Sounding Board consisting of scholars with expertise in a range of methods, including oral history, ethnography, and filmmaking. The board consists of Linde Apel (Forschungsstelle für Zeitgeschichte in Hamburg), Andrea Ballestero (University of Southern California), David Caruso (Science History Institute, Philadelphia), Melissa Nelson (Arizona State University), Shaunak Sen (Kite Rabbit Films, New Delhi), and Jaipreet Virdi (University of Victoria).