LEWISBURG, PA, September 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Diane K. Jakacki has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Jakacki, an esteemed expert in digital humanities and Renaissance theater and performance, has built a distinguished career marked by innovation, leadership and a commitment to expanding access to research tools and methodologies. For the past 12 years, she has served as digital scholarship coordinator and affiliated faculty in comparative and digital humanities at Bucknell University. In this capacity, Dr. Jakacki has been instrumental in analyzing text patterns in plays and historical documents, extracting data points from historical texts, mapping locations relevant to performances and understanding audience contexts within plays. Her expertise extends to using artificial intelligence tools to interpret 16th-century handwriting, connect performance dates with public events and examine the impact of theatrical performance on the identity and political development of cities.

A highlight of Dr. Jakacki's tenure at Bucknell University is her leadership in the significant Linked Editing Academic Framework (LEAF) research initiative. LEAF, a software platform she co-leads, empowers humanities scholars to conduct research without requiring advanced coding skills. This innovative tool has received recognition for its impact on the digital humanities community, making research more accessible and enhancing student engagement in historical research and literary analysis. Her research, which includes studies on figures such as Queen Elizabeth I and her patronage of the arts, exemplifies her dedication to connecting and enriching scholarly knowledge.

Before her current role, Dr. Jakacki was a Brittain postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 2010 to 2013. During this period, she further honed her expertise in digital humanities and Renaissance studies, contributing to the academic community through research, teaching and the development of digital resources.

From 2002 to 2004, Dr. Jakacki served as content developer at Headgear Productions, where she applied her skills in digital content creation and project management. Her work in this role laid the groundwork for her later achievements in integrating technology with humanities research.

Dr. Jakacki began her professional journey as vice president of internet programming at HBO from 1987 to 2001. In this pioneering role during the formative years of the internet, she developed and oversaw online programming strategies, sparking her enduring interest in the intersection of technology and the humanities.

Her academic background is equally distinguished. Dr. Jakacki earned a Doctor of Philosophy in English from the University of Waterloo in 2010, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Toronto in 2005 and an Artium Baccalaureus in English and history from Lafayette College in 1986. This robust educational foundation has been integral to her success, equipping her with the analytical and creative skills necessary to excel in both research and teaching.

Dr. Jakacki attributes her achievements to her tenacity, enthusiasm and non-linear thinking, which enable her to forge connections and inspire others to explore new possibilities. She is recognized as a strong community builder, fostering collaboration and support among her peers. The influence of her parents, who encouraged her to pursue her passions, remains a guiding force in her career.

Her professional affiliations include membership in the Alliance of Digital Humanities Organizations, reflecting her active engagement with the broader scholarly community. Dr. Jakacki's contributions have been recognized with honors, including the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Digital Humanities.

Born in Englewood Cliffs, Dr. Jakacki enjoys gardening, baking, knitting, and discovering dahlias. Looking ahead, she is dedicated to developing, sustaining and enhancing tools that make research more accessible to a global audience. She seeks to provide resources that empower researchers and students to engage in transformative work and aims to strengthen international collaborations to support communities facing barriers to research. Her commitment to fostering collaborative and enjoyable research practices continues to shape the field of digital humanities.

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