DiDip & the Belgian Diplomatist: Notes from Graz
I arrived in Graz at the beginning of March 2025 for an Erasmus internship under the supervision of Georg Vogeler.
My colleague Virgile Reignier had been encouraging me for months to take the leap, and after a brief interview with the team in November, I was convinced: I had to go. I discovered then that the DiDip project focused on many of the same issues I was tackling in my own research, and that the team included very competent and inspiring people. It seemed like an amazing opportunity—both to develop my skills and to experience a new environment. Professionally, it made perfect sense. My current research focuses on the scriptural identity of the chancery of Liège in Belgium, using a digital approach that aligns closely with the DiDip project’s objectives. I am also engaged in the identification of formulaic language, working with both the textual content and the visual aspects of the charters.
Looking back on those three months, I can say without hesitation that the experience was absolutely worth it. Working in Graz allowed me to make steady and disciplined progress on my thesis, in a calm and stimulating atmosphere. The results were immediate: on one hand, I had time to write my first article and delve deeper into topics closely tied to my research; on the other hand, I became actively involved in a team whose interests resonated strongly with my own. The weekly jour fixes meetings were especially valuable: they helped me understand what others were working on, encouraged thoughtful exchanges, and gave me new perspectives on my own work.
I’m especially grateful to Nicolas Renet, with whom I had many enriching conversations about automatic text-line detection in medieval charters. He taught me a lot about image processing and machine learning. I also want to thank Tamas Kovacs, who had somehow already explored—and mastered—all the projects I was just starting to think about (thanks, FLAME).
I also had the chance to practice presenting my research in English—something I wasn’t particularly comfortable with at first. Whether at the Privatissimum seminar or the ICARUS conference in Budapest, both experiences were extremely helpful in building my confidence when speaking in front of an English-speaking audience.
I have fond memories of the pasta parties that brightened up the semester—great moments of conviviality centered around Italian food and board games. All in all, I look back on this Erasmus experience with great appreciation. Whether at the Hilmgasse office or outside of work, in formal settings or over coffee and meals, the team was welcoming, friendly, and inclusive.
I’m heading back to Belgium with a heavy heart and a mind full of good memories, grateful for all the people I’ve met.

OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Georg Vogeler (May 28, 2025). DiDip & the Belgian Diplomatist: Notes from Graz. DiDip. Retrieved June 12, 2025 from https://didip.hypotheses.org/3282