Community-Centric Open Science Infrastructure for Digital Humanities in the Asia-Pacific

1. Introduction
Adopting the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science in November 2021 (UNESCO 2021), a landmark agreement by 193 countries, has laid a key foundation for our research and societal advancement. However, there is a notable gap in its application within the arts and humanities, where significant challenges persist (Knöchelmann 2019, Longley & Hearn 2021). Previous studies have begun to bridge this gap, exploring the intersection of humanities and Open Science (e.g., Okune et al. 2018, Tóth-Czifra 2021). Building on this groundwork, our project aims to go beyond by developing an Open Science Infrastructure (OSI) specifically designed for the Asia-Pacific region's digital humanities (DH) and cultural heritage domain. Unlike existing approaches, our project not only provides the necessary infrastructural services but also fosters a community and knowledge-based framework, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in DH scholarship in the Asia-Pacific.

2. Research Context
Funded by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) Foundation ¹ , the School on Internet Asia (SOI-Asia) Project ² , active since 2001, has been instrumental in fostering cross-cultural collaborations across 29 institutions in 13 countries. Originally focusing on STEM education, it has now expanded with three new pillars alongside the sub-projects: Advanced Technology —building a robust internet infrastructure ³ , Knowledge Base —promoting internet engineering education ⁴ , and Community Building —offering practical fieldwork programs ⁵ (see Akashi et al. 2023 for details). However, there remains a critical need to integrate these initiatives with a specific focus on DH, recognizing the distinct needs and methodologies of this field. The question of ‘decentralization,’ as discussed in the previous DH studies (e.g., Chevalier et al. 2023, Roy & Menon 2022), underscores the discipline's responsibility and privilege in contributing to current inequalities that stem from the historical context of colonization and exploitation that have led to cultural underrepresentation.
This contribution therefore aims at enhancing the visibility and accessibility of DH resources in historically under-resourced regions. As of December 2023, the project has progressed with the involvement of 8 institutes from 6 countries (see Figure 1), ensuring it aligns with the specific requirements and cultural contexts of each region. It is a work in progress involving close collaboration and community engagement. Figure 1: List of Institutions and Countries (Nepal, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Japan) involved in this project

3. Challenges and Approaches
This paper outlines the progress made in our project, which is guided by the following three foundational pillars:

Sustainable Digital Archives and Preservation of Cultural Heritage : As Jimerson (2007: 256) states, archives contribute to the public interest “by documenting underrepresented social groups and fostering ethnic and community identities,” where, the digital preservation of cultural heritage is a key component of this project.
Advancing Research Through Collaboration and Methodology Sharing : The OSI will serve as a hub for researchers and practitioners to share their experiences and collaborate. Sharing the methodology of each local project is crucial, as these activities generate valuable datasets.
Affordable Digital Resource Access : Affordability is at the forefront of our agenda. The project is committed to working with partners in the Asia-Pacific region to develop solutions that will democratize access to DH resources.

In the first phase, we conducted fieldwork in Nepal, Cambodia, and Indonesia, and this short paper details three sub-projects that illustrate the diverse approaches undertaken to preserve and promote cultural heritage across the region.

The first project focuses on creating a virtual studio technology (VST) plugin to digitally preserve and promote the Sarangi , a traditional Nepali instrument. This project aims to disseminate Sarangi's unique sonic characteristics globally, providing an invaluable resource for both practicing musicians and enthusiasts.
The second project is about 3D documentation of ancient temples called Candi in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. This project aims to create a digital archive of these temples, providing virtual access and educational resources to raise cultural awareness and preserve the historical and cultural value of these structures.
The third project focuses on creating a mixed-reality digital archive of Aceh's historic tombstones. The project aims to create a digital archive of these tombstones, providing researchers and the public with easy access to a comprehensive dataset that facilitates the examination of inscriptions, imagery, and material culture (See Figure 2). Figure 2: Photos of the Sarangi (Nepal), Candi (Malang, Indonesia), and Tombstone (Aceh, Indonesia)

By collaborating with local experts and community members, we actively engage in knowledge co-creation, ensuring the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage is grounded in local perspectives and practices. As we embark on this project, we are committed to ensuring that the digital archives we create will not only preserve but also revitalize DH of this vibrant region. Through collaboration and shared experiences, we envision a future where this OSI becomes an integral part of the digital landscape, fostering greater inclusivity and diversity in the global DH community.

Appendix A

Bibliography

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