Matt Cook: Harvard Digital Scholarship, Reality Capture & Academia, 3D Medieval Architecture

Matt Cook supports Harvard’s students, faculty, and researchers with emerging computational methods, engaging learning spaces, and a campus-wide network of technological expertise. His research interests include 3D technologies (e.g. photogrammetry & VR) and embodied cognition. After studying philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate level (at the Universities of Florida and Oklahoma, respectively), he began working full time in libraries and developing new tools and systems to augment research and instruction across disciplines.Matt was Re/Capped for a staggering medieval architecture exhibit at Harvard. This immersive 3D experience brought to life a former Benedictine monastery, while sharing the tale of Kenneth Conant, a brilliant architect-detective who spent decades uncovering its secretsMatt visits with Ellis Malmgren to share his journey bridging academia and emerging technology. They discuss the Envisioning Cluny exhibit, Harvard Library Imaging Services, 3D data grants, breaking down silos, ethics of sensitive reality capture, the metaverse, VR & gaming, photogrammetry for academic departments on a budget, biology, philosophy, capturing the Globe Theater, backcountry survival, and much more.

00:00 Introduction to Harvard's Digital Scholarship Program

01:07 Envisioning Clooney: A Medieval Architecture Exhibit

03:52 The Role of 3D Scanning in Historical Research

11:28 Collaborating with Christine Smith

14:34 The Technical Side of 3D Scanning Projects

39:57 Ethical and Practical Challenges in 3D Scanning

50:17 Defending the Value of 3D and VR

52:02 The Oklahoma Virtual Academic Laboratory

52:58 Virtual Classroom Experiences

54:41 3D Scanning Projects at OU

56:32 Meditation Labyrinths in Libraries

01:03:26 The Intersection of Technology and Relationships

01:05:38 AI and Coding in Academia

01:16:32 Philosophy's Role in Emerging Technologies

01:32:06 Exciting 3D Projects and Future Prospects