Bill Endres

Bill Endres is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Oklahoma, where he bridges digital humanities and medieval manuscript studies through cutting-edge imaging technologies. His work centers on materiality analysis of 8th-century Insular manuscripts, particularly the St Chad Gospels at Lichfield Cathedral.

Education:

• Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2009

Endres's research explores how multispectral imaging, reflectance transformation imaging (RTI), and sub-millimeter 3D capture reveal hidden features of medieval manuscripts—including dry-point writing and pigment composition. His interdisciplinary approach connects digital methods with medieval history, rhetoric, and poetry, emphasizing materiality as critical to scholarly interpretation. Recent projects extend into haptic interfaces and virtual reality for tactile manuscript engagement.

His publications demonstrate consistent innovation in digital manuscript studies, evolving from foundational digitization techniques (2014-2015) toward immersive experiences (2025 VR/haptics work). Key themes include ethical digitization of sacred artifacts, 3D representation of material agency, and recovering lost content through advanced imaging.

Scientific Awards:

• Junior Faculty Fellowship, University of Oklahoma

Endres has secured significant grant funding for cultural heritage projects, including $45,407 from the Library of Congress for Comanche cultural documentation and $10,000 from OU's Data Institute for 3D manuscript modeling. His grants consistently support open-access resources like the Manuscripts of Lichfield Cathedral repository and the GitHub-hosted Access Granted XR Manuscript Viewer.

Grants:

• $45,407, For the People Collection Grant, Library of Congress (2022-2024)
• $11,105, Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships, University of Oklahoma (2022-2023)
• $10,000, Data Institute for Societal Challenges, University of Oklahoma
• $5,000 Forum Grant Award, OU Humanities Forum (2018)
• Junior Faculty Fellowship, University of Oklahoma (2017)
• Grant for Advanced Imaging Technology, West Semitic Research Project (2014)

He leads the Manuscripts of Lichfield Cathedral project, collaborating with imaging specialists like Kristi Wyatt to produce Creative Commons-licensed digital assets. His OU Emerging Technologies Lab (OUETL) team develops VR/AR tools for public humanities engagement, exemplified by the traveling VR workstation for medieval manuscript study.