In this talk, Gerben Zaagsma will discuss the history and genealogies of digital history within the broader context of how new technologies have shaped historical research practices and knowledge production since the late nineteenth century. To do so, he will first explore the current historiography and origin myths of digital history while advocating for greater consideration of disciplinary differences in histories of the digital humanities.
In the second part, he discusses how we might frame a history of digital history. If an imagined “collective” memory exists, the history of digital history started in the 1960s in the United States and Western Europe, involved mostly digital electronic computing employed to support quantitative approaches, and occurred within national silos. As he will argue, at least five dimensions need closer attention if we are to move toward more comprehensive and integrative histories of digital history: a shift in focus from technologies to practices (1), an expansion of the temporal (2) as well as geographical scope (3), more consideration for people and the role of networks and transnational exchange (4) and, finally, political dimensions (5). In addition, this multidimensional story requires embedding in broader interdisciplinary perspectives and conceptual considerations.
In the third part he will integrate these dimensions in a chronological exploration of digital history’s genealogies. A review of the literature at the intersection of technology and historical research since the late nineteenth century suggests several major phases. Each of these emerged with the advent of new technologies, their uptake by new user generations, and an ensuing change in historians’ research practices.
The talk is based on his forthcoming article ‘Facing the History Machine: Towards Histories of Digital History’ which will be published in History of Humanities 9/2 (2024).
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
14.00 - 15.00
C²DH Open Space (4th floor Maison des Sciences humaines)
