Digital Humanities

Project Title

Digital Humanities in Asia and Europe: Emerging Ecosystems, Creative Industries, and Virtual Solidarities

Short Abstract

This research project explores the burgeoning field of digital humanities (DH) in Asia and Europe: by employing a comparative analysis, this study aims to understand the unique and shared characteristics of DH in these regions, investigating methodological frameworks, theoretical underpinnings, practical implementations, significant phenomena, key actors, and prevalent fallacies. The project seeks to contribute to the global discourse on digital humanities and provide actionable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. It aims to bridge interdisciplinary gaps by employing diverse methodologies and theories to understand the digital transformation’s impact on culture, knowledge production, and social cohesion. Through comparative analysis, this project will offer insights into the digital humanities’ contributions to cultural heritage, education, and community building in both regions.

Long Abstract

The digital humanities (DH) field represents an intersection of traditional humanities scholarship and digital technologies, fostering innovative research methods and collaborative practices: an interdisciplinary field that integrates computational techniques with traditional humanities disciplines, transforming the way we create, disseminate, and engage with cultural content. This project examines the digital humanities landscape in Asia and Europe, identifying the ways in which emerging ecosystems and creative industries shape the development and dissemination of digital humanities projects. It also delves into the concept of virtual solidarities, exploring how digital platforms foster new forms of community and solidarity across borders.

The study employs a wide range of methodologies, including ethnographic studies, comparative approaches, case studies, computational analysis and network theories, to explore key phenomena and practices in digital humanities and to capture the diverse and dynamic nature of DH in these regions. In Asia, rapid technological advancements and a rich cultural heritage provide a unique context for digital humanities projects, while Europe’s well-established academic traditions and innovative digital practices offer valuable comparative insights. Theoretical frameworks from cultural studies, media theory, and digital sociology underpin the research, providing a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena under investigation while identifying the main actors driving innovation and address common fallacies, such as the digital divide and technological determinism, that hinder progress, thus providing a critical perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the field. The project will analyze practices within DH, from digital archiving and textual analysis to digital storytelling and interactive media. The research will highlight key actors, including academic institutions, cultural organizations, and independent scholars, mapping their contributions and interactions within the DH ecosystem.

Ultimately, this project aims to advance the understanding of digital humanities in Asia and Europe, offering practical recommendations for enhancing collaboration and innovation. The outcomes will be disseminated through academic publications, conferences, and digital platforms, ensuring broad accessibility and engagement. The long-term impact of the project includes fostering a more inclusive and interconnected digital humanities community, bridging gaps between regions, disciplines, and cultures.

The research will be structured into several phases, including a detailed literature review, case studies, data collection, and comparative analysis. Outcomes will include academic publications, a digital repository of case studies, policy recommendations, and public engagement initiatives. Ultimately, this project aims to enhance the visibility and impact of digital humanities in Asia and Europe, fostering greater collaboration and understanding across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.

Detailed Description

Introduction and Background:

Digital humanities (DH) is an interdisciplinary field that integrates digital technologies with humanities research, located at the intersection of digital technology and the humanities, encompassing a broad range of activities such as digitization of texts, data mining, digital mapping, and the use of digital tools for humanities research. This project aims to explore the unique and shared characteristics of DH in Asia and Europe: by conducting a comparative analysis, the project seeks to contribute to the global discourse on DH and provide actionable insights for various stakeholders.

Current and Past Research Situation:

Research in digital humanities has predominantly focused on Western contexts, with limited comparative studies between different regions. Existing literature highlights the development of DH infrastructures, the impact of digital technologies on humanities research, and the challenges of digital preservation. Nonetheless, there is a gap in understanding the specific dynamics of DH in Asia and Europe, particularly regarding the interplay between creative industries and digital ecosystems: in Asia, DH is an emerging field, influenced by rapid technological development and a diverse cultural backdrop. Projects like the Digital Silk Road and the China Biographical Database demonstrate the potential of DH to preserve and interpret cultural heritage. However, challenges such as limited funding, lack of expertise, and political constraints often hinder progress. On the other hand, Europe has a more established digital humanities infrastructure, with numerous centers and networks, such as DARIAH (Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities) and CLARIN (Common Language Resources and Technology Infrastructure). European projects often emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, but face issues related to standardization and integration across different countries and institutions.

Objectives and Goals of the Project:

To map the current digital humanities ecosystems in Asia and Europe.
To analyze the role of creative industries in shaping DH practices and collaborations.
To investigate the formation and impact of virtual solidarities within DH communities.
To identify key actors and their contributions to the DH landscape as well as best practices and innovative methodologies in parallel with common fallacies and challenges in the field.
To provide policy recommendations for enhancing collaboration, development and innovation in DH.

Methodologies and Theoretical Frameworks:

Methods (Mixed-Methodological Strategy)

Comparative Approach: To identify similarities and differences in DH practices, infrastructures, and outcomes between Asia and Europe.
Case Studies: In-depth examination of selected DH projects and initiatives to illustrate best practices and challenges.
Surveys and Interviews: Collecting qualitative data from DH practitioners, scholars, and policymakers.
Textual and Discourse Analysis: Analyzing academic publications, policy documents, and digital content to uncover dominant narratives and theoretical frameworks.
Computational Analysis: Using algorithms and software for text mining, data visualization, and digital mapping.

Ethnographic Studies: Observing and documenting the practices and cultures of digital humanities communities.
Literature Review: Comprehensive review of existing research on digital humanities in Asia and Europe.
Workshops and Conferences: Organizing events to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Theories

Actor-Network Theory (ANT): Understanding and mapping the ways in which human and non-human entities interact within the DH landscape as well as the relationships and collaborations among (key-)actors in the DH ecosystems.
Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT): Examining the role played by digital tools in the mediation of cultural and historical activities in the humanities.
Postcolonial Theory: Investigating the strategies DH can address and employ to deconstruct colonial legacies in knowledge production.

Practices and Phenomena:

Emerging Ecosystems

Collaborative Platforms: Online tools and platforms that facilitate collaboration between researchers, institutions, and the public.
Digital Archives: Initiatives to digitize and preserve cultural heritage materials.
Open Access and Open Data: Promoting the accessibility of research outputs and data.

Creative Industries

Interactive Media: The use of digital storytelling, virtual reality, and gaming in humanities research.
Digital Publishing: Innovative approaches to publishing scholarly work, including multimedia and interactive formats.
Cultural Heritage Projects: Collaborative projects between researchers, artists, and cultural institutions to preserve and interpret heritage.

Virtual Solidarities

Online Communities: Forums, social media groups, and other online spaces where DH practitioners and enthusiasts connect and collaborate.
Crowdsourcing Projects: Initiatives that involve the public in data collection, transcription, and analysis.
Advocacy Networks: Groups advocating for the recognition and support of digital humanities within broader academic and cultural contexts.

Key-Actors

Academic Institutions: Universities and research centers leading DH initiatives.
Cultural Institutions: Museums, libraries, and archives contributing to DH projects.
Technology Companies: Firms providing tools and platforms for DH research.
Independent Scholars and Practitioners: Individuals contributing to DH through freelance and collaborative work.

Common Fallacies

Technocentrism: Overemphasis on technology at the expense of humanistic inquiry.
Universalism: Assuming that DH practices and methodologies are universally applicable without considering cultural and regional differences.
Innovation Fetishism: Valuing novelty over the substantive contribution to knowledge and understanding.

Time-Schedule 2024-2028

Year 1:

Literature review and theoretical framework development.
Initial case study selection and preliminary data collection.
Establishing partnerships with key institutions and stakeholders.

Year 2-3:

Conducting surveys and interviews.
In-depth case study analysis.
Organizing workshops and conferences.

Year 4-5:

Comparative analysis and synthesis of findings.
Preparing academic publications and policy recommendations.
Developing a digital repository of case studies.
Dissemination of research findings through conferences, seminars, and public engagement activities.
Finalizing and publishing the project report and other outputs.
Evaluating the project’s impact and planning future research directions.

Outcomes and Dissemination

This project will produce several key outcomes which will deliver a nuanced understanding of DH across two diverse regions, leveraging methodological rigor and theoretical depth to advance the field and foster global collaboration. The anticipated outcomes will provide a foundation for future research and policy development in digital humanities, enhancing the interconnectedness and inclusivity of the global DH community.

Public Talks and Academic Publications: Presentations at international conferences and workshops as well as articles in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes.
Digital Repository: An online comprehensive report on the state of digital humanities in Asia and Europe on a digital platform for sharing research findings and fostering collaboration which will also host case studies, datasets, and additional project outputs.
Policy Recommendations: Recommendations for enhancing DH infrastructures and practices as well as guidelines for supporting and advancing digital humanities in Asia and Europe.
Public Engagement: Events and activities aimed at raising awareness and fostering public participation in DH projects.

Long-Term Impact

This project aims to significantly enhance the understanding and practice of DH in Asia and Europe, by

fostering a more inclusive and interconnected global DH community.
enhancing the visibility and impact of DH research in Asia and Europe.
bridging gaps between regions, disciplines, and cultures in the DH field.
providing actionable insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to support sustainable and innovative DH practices.

By nurturing collaboration and knowledge exchange, the project will contribute to the development of more inclusive and innovative digital humanities ecosystems while its findings will inform policy and funding decisions, promote best practices, and support the integration of digital humanities into broader cultural and academic contexts. This comprehensive research project aims to provide a detailed understanding of digital humanities in Asia and Europe, fostering greater collaboration and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

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