Our Projects
The DRAGEN Lab benefits from the generous support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada first, through a $200,000 Partnership Development Grant (2013 – 2018) and, more recently, through a $2,500,000 Partnership Grant (2019 – 2027). That grant places the DRAGEN Lab at the centre of the Environments of Change Project (EoC), which its personnel coordinate.
This is a showcase of each of our ongoing and recent projects.
Archaeological Excavations in North Yorkshire, UK
Since 2023, the DRAGEN Lab and SSHRC PG Environments of Change Project have supported ongoing archaeological research by Co-Investigator, Dr. Stephen Sherlock in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
3D Scanning, Modelling and Printing
Since 2019, the DRAGEN Lab has trained hundreds of students on using 3D scanning, modelling and printing technologies in our state-of-the-art Maker Space.
Medieval Northeye: An AR Gaming Experience
The game uses augmented reality to immerse students in an historical setting that allows them to deal with issues of flood risk and management through collaborative problem-solving. It is set in a thirteenth-century village – Northeye – in the Pevensey Levels in southeastern England.
Conference on Archaeology, the Medieval, and Experiential Learning of Tomorrow (CAMELOT)
This student-run academic conference has taken place annually for over a decade.
Catholic Relics Archive
This digital database that contains information such as images and translations for a series of Catholic Relics that are owned and housed in the St. Jerome’s University (SJU) Library. This work was completed by three DRAGEN Lab co-op students during the Fall 2024 term.
Climate-Related Risks to Heritage: Kent County Council
A value-based climate risk framework was developed with Kent County Council to identify which of Kent’s 90,000 heritage sites are most vulnerable to future precipitation and temperature hazards. The study highlights where urgent preservation strategies are needed as climate pressures intensify.
DAMES Database Project
DAMES is a pilot project to train AI to recognize, decode, and transcribe a large sampling of handwritten records from the Provençal town of Manosque in the fourteenth century. The Manosquin records are rich sources of social history.
Anglo-Saxon on The Tees Valley: Digital Archive
Co-Created by Dr. Stephen Sherlock, Erin Kurian (PhD Candidate), and Kian Drew (PhD Candidate), this website is a digital archive of 3D scanned Anglo-Saxon archaeological finds collected by student collaborators since 2023.
Medieval Badges
Led by Dr. Ann Marie Rasmussen, the purposes of these Medieval Badges Projects have been to share knowledge about medieval badges and what they can teach us in the contemporary world.
The Chapman Letters: Digitization of WWII Correspondence
With the support of an Undergraduate Intern, this project aims to create a digitized archive of correspondence from the Canadian Military during World War II.
Project lead: Gillian Wagenaar (Phd Candidate, History, University of Waterloo)
Archaeology Field School Opportunities in East Sussex, UK
In partnership with BADER College and Queens University, the DRAGEN Lab and Environments of Change Project has provided hundreds of University of Waterloo students with archaeology field-school opportunities on Herstmonceux Estate from 2017-2023.
3D Model: Herstmonceux Estate Great Barn
Created by Environments of Change Collaborator, and past DRAGEN Lab member, Zach MacDonald, this 3D model depicts a reconstruction of The Great Barn, which would have existed on the Herstmonceux Estate in East Sussex, United Kingdom.
Disciplines in Dialogue: A Discussion Series
Hosted online in Fall of 2022, the Disciplines in Dialogue series brings together professionals from the fields of history, climate, science, and public policy for a discussion about important environmental issues such as climate and disease.
Dr. Joseph Shatzmiller Archive
During Spring Term 2025, Co-Op Student and DRAGEN Lab Undergraduate Caucus member, Amelia Dreyer (BA History, University of Waterloo) created a digital archive of Dr. Joseph Shatzmiller’s written records and articles. These records were generously donated to the DRAGEN Lab by Dr. Joseph Shatzmiller.
Paleography and Latin Workshops
Led by Graduate Research Fellows at the DRAGEN Lab, these non-credited courses allow students in the Waterloo community to access introductory level resources and learning tools for both Paleography and Medieval Latin.