Named after the small red sticker that once guided scholars through legacy 35mm slides, The Red Dot is here to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of visual and material research. While rooted in the University of California, Santa Barbara community, our posts are open to all.
At MIRL, we engage with art history, digital humanities, and material culture through hands-on research and archival projects. Guided by our core principles—critical engagement with visual and material culture, ethical stewardship of images and data, and innovative approaches to research and pedagogy—we work at the intersection of technology and the humanities. We are especially interested in how digital tools can expand the study of images, objects, and spaces.
Here, we’ll share insights on Digital Art History and Architectural History, highlight new image and data resources, discuss copyright and ethical considerations, and spotlight events that shape our field.
The Red Dot © 2025 is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
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Research Seminars in Photographic Cultures and Heritage (online, Feb 19 – May 7, 2026)
Photographic History Research Centre, Leicester, UK, Feb 19–May 7, 2026 PHRC is pleased to announce the second season of its Research Seminars in Photographic Cultures and Heritage, a free, online series of talks and discussions exploring photography’s intersections with politics, technology, and cultural production. The series investigates the rich and evolving field of photographic cultures… Read more
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DH Monday: AI in Action Speaker Series Launch and Reception
February 9, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, UCSB Library, Room 1312 Events are free and open to UCSB faculty, students, staff, and the general public. Register Here Join us for the launch of UCSB Library’s new speaker series. The event features short presentations by Tobias Fischer (Director, Earth Research Institute), Ben Halpern (Executive Director, National… Read more
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Cohen Building and Historic Preservation Webinar (online/Feb. 3, 2026 @ 5:00PM PST)
The Living New Deal Project is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:00PM PST / 8:00PM EST. Please join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion that explores the ins and outs of historic preservation law, how Living New Deal has been advocating for its enforcement, the leadership of other organizations working… Read more
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SNACSchool Research and Reference (Online/January 15, 2026)
SNACSchool Research and ReferenceJanuary 15, 2026 @ 10:00AM–12:00PM (PDT) / 1:00–3:00PM (EDT)/Online: click here to register SNACSchool Research and Reference, a virtual event, is intended for those wanting to learn how to use SNAC for conducting their own research, or those who provide reference and want to up their game! Attendees will get an overview… Read more
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Conference: The Art Museum in the Digital Age – 2026 (January 19-23, 2026/online & Vienna)
Now in its eighth edition, the international online conference explores the complex interrelations between truth, fake and falsified information, and knowledge authority in the context of digital transformation processes. In light of increasing disinformation, AI-generated content, and algorithmic bias, museums face the challenge of rethinking their role as trusted spaces for knowledge dissemination. At the… Read more
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Forge Project Announces 2026 Fellowship Open Call
Forge Project, a Native-led nonprofit organization on the unceded homelands of the Moh-He-Con-Nuck in Upstate New York, is pleased to announce its open call for applications for its 2026 funded fellowship program for Indigenous artists, scholars, organizers, cultural workers, researchers, and educators. The application is live and the 2026 application period will end on Sunday,… Read more