Who are we?

Leah Budke
Leah Budke is the information specialist research – focus digital scholarship in the humanities of KU Leuven Libraries Artes. Her primary role is to advise humanities researchers and teaching staff on digital tools and methods. She has expertise in network analysis and visualization, but is interested in all aspects of digital scholarship. Leah first studied in the United States where she completed a BA in Modern Languages (2011) at Fort Hays State University. Thereafter, she moved to Belgium and completed a BA in Spanish and English Literature and Linguistics (2015) and an MA in English Literature and Linguistics (2016) at Ghent University. She holds a PhD in Literary Studies (2021) from Ghent University. Her dissertation titled ‘Markers and Makers of Tradition: The Serially Published Modernist ‘Little’ Anthology (1912-1930)’ focuses on the role the anthology form played in the context of the early twentieth-century medial environment.
Rebecca Burke is the information specialist research – focus Lirias & communication of KU Leuven Libraries Artes. She is responsible for the daily management of Lirias, the academic database of the KU Leuven Association, for the Faculty of Arts and is in charge of coordinating our communication channels (events, blog, websites, etc.). Rebecca holds a Bachelor (2010) and a Master (2011) in History and a Master (2012) in Cultural Studies. Before she joined the Artes research team she worked for the public library of Aarschot, where she was responsible for communication, project development, and events.

Rebecca Burke

Laura Mesotten
Laura Mesotten is the team leader of the KU Leuven Libraries Artes Research Team with an expertise in scholarly communication and Open Science. Her work especially focuses on everything related to Open Access publishing and she co-manages the KU Leuven Fund for Fair OA. She is also the coordinator of the institutional repository Lirias for the Faculty of Arts. Laura obtained a Bachelor (2010) and Master (2011) in History and a Master (2012) in Cultural Studies at KU Leuven. She also holds a PhD in History (2017) from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. Her dissertation entitled ‘Behind the curtains of diplomacy: the household, material culture and networks of French ambassadors in Venice (1550-1610)’ studies the social and cultural facets of early modern diplomacy.
Nele Noppe is the information specialist research – focus Research Data Management (RDM) of KU Leuven Libraries Artes. She gives trainings on RDM and helps researchers figure out data-related problems. Nele completed an MA (2005) and PhD (2014) in Japanese Studies at KU Leuven, with stints in several Japanese universities in between. Her research focuses on fan culture, open culture, copyright, digital infrastructure, and what motivates people to publish their creations in particular ways. Nele has worn many hats in and around educational institutions as well as in the non-profit and private sectors. She likes simple solutions that work, clear communication, and learning about new tools and methods.

Nele Noppe
Find out more about our team through our poster!