Saints, Stories, and Student Life: My Co-op Experience at the DRAGEN Lab
Written from the prospective of Fall 2025 Co-op student, Veronica Kirchner:
My name is Veronica Kirchner, and I am an Undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo, studying Classical Studies with a Minor in History. I have always been drawn to studying the past–how we analyze historical evidence, piece together research to form conclusions, and work toward preserving what remains. This interest led me to the Environments of Change Project, and the DRAGEN Lab at St. Jerome’s University, where I gained hands-on experience applying research methods in a digital humanities setting.
This co-op placement at the DRAGEN Lab is my first professional experience, and I was initially a bit nervous about stepping into a new environment. However, from the start, everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly. The team provided a lot of guidance, helping me navigate the various projects I was assigned and allowing me to improve and develop valuable research skills and knowledge along the way.
The very first project I was assigned had me working in a team of three, alongside my fellow co-op coworkers. We were tasked with organizing and cataloging an array of Catholic relics, from the St. Jeromes Library collection. This involved carefully handling and documenting each item, researching their origins, assisting in translating their documents, and ensuring they were accurately recorded in the lab’s database. It was a fascinating opportunity to explore material I likely wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. I found myself learning about saints I had never heard of, and in the process, uncovering stories that were far more intense than I expected.
One story that stuck with me was that of Saint Cecilia. As someone studying Classical history, I am familiar with how Romans treated early Christians, but coming across Cecilia’s story gave me a new perspective. Her life story, passed down orally for generations before being written down, tells of a young woman who escapes the expectations placed on her– to become a wife, a mother, and to surrender herself to man she did not choose. For her devotion to her faith, she was subjected to horrific violence before being martyred. While it’s one thing to learn in lectures and textbooks about persecution under the Roman Empire, stories such as Cecilia adds a different kind of weight to that history. It’s not just about policies or empires anymore; it’s about the people who lived, resisted, and were remembered. Working with the relics was a reminder of how stories from the past can shape our understanding of history… but not all my work at the DRAGEN Lab was about looking backward. Another one of the projects I particularly enjoyed working on during my time at the lab was focused on the Streethouse archaeological site. This project involved compiling a resource for students and researcher partners preparing to travel to the site in North Yorkshire, especially those who may not have prior experience in fieldwork. The final product was a cohesive, user-friendly booklet designed to be both informative and visually appealing. I especially enjoyed the creative side of the process, making sure that the layout, language, and visuals followed the design guidelines set by the DRAGEN Lab. Learning how to meet branding standards while still keeping the tone friendly and helpful was a great experience, and one that I know will carry over into future roles.
What made this project especially meaningful to me was its purpose: the booklet will be used by future students and researchers to guide them through a potentially overwhelming experience. Knowing that my work could help others feel more prepared and confident as they begin their own fieldwork journeys was incredibly rewarding.