From November 27th to December 1st, Nelson Mandela University hosted the 2023 Digital Humanities of Southern Africa Conference. The conference attracted academics from various universities across South Africa, creating a collaborative space for the exchange of insights and research in the realm of digital humanities.
As scholars gathered, the conference emerged as a vibrant forum facilitating the sharing of knowledge and the advancement of discussions at the crossroads of technology and humanities research. Within this intellectual arena, participants explored innovative methodologies, tools, and frameworks, collectively contributing to the ongoing development of digital humanities in the Southern African context.
But what exactly is digital humanities?
Digital Humanities (DH) function as a pivotal link between traditional research methodologies and the expansive opportunities presented by technology. It offers scholars a renewed perspective on enduring challenges, equipped with innovative tools and frameworks to explore uncharted realms of inquiry.
The widespread availability of language-based digital resources across diverse disciplines, coupled with the surge in Big Data and the utilisation of various software has ushered in a new era for research in the humanities and social sciences. Notably, over 400 tertiary institutions globally have formally embraced Digital Humanities.
It should be noted that while many universities have engaged with Digital Humanities, Nelson Mandela University is the first in South Africa to have launched a dedicated Digital Humanities hub.
It is an especially critical development as having a dedicated Digital Humanities hub is essential for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, sharing resources, providing technical support, building a research community, enhancing visibility, facilitating large-scale projects, and contributing to the education and training of scholars.
It serves as a centralised space that accelerates innovation, strengthens networks, and promotes the recognition of Digital Humanities within academic and broader communities.
Within the realm of Humanities and Social Sciences, scholars are venturing into unprecedented terrain by posing novel research questions that were previously inconceivable due to limited accessible resources. Moreover, they are cultivating a network of potential research avenues, drawing from both related and disparate disciplines. Whether by utilising existing software or developing bespoke tools, researchers leverage technology to streamline and enhance the research process.
Additionally, the field enables scholars to visualize their findings in unprecedented formats, adding depth and insight to the outcomes of their investigations. In essence, Digital Humanities not only bridges the gap between tradition and technology but also paves the way for a transformative and interconnected approach to scholarly inquiry. Notably, it is Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Humanities that is spearheading this vital and ground-breaking inquiry.
Digital Humanities research holds universal significance by bridging technology and human experiences, facilitating a profound exploration of cultural heritage, literature, and societal issues. Through the integration of digital tools, it democratizes access to knowledge, ensuring that valuable insights and cultural understanding are widely accessible and inclusive for diverse audiences around the globe.
