There is no doubt that across Europe, the parameters of humanities research and the modes of scientific communication are changing. Though these changes are driven and mediated by a number of societal processes – the reorganization of the university, changing patterns of academic careers, or the role of academia in “knowledge societies” –, the influence of digital technologies is clearly noticeable and provides an interesting angle from which to investigate changes in historical research as well as scientific communication in Europe. This transformation is by no means a purely (or even predominantly) “technical” one. Technological developments and their impact, historians of science have argued for decades, are as much determined by cultural factors as by the technologies themselves. During our workshop, we will compare the traditions built and innovative paths taken by humanities researchers in different national, linguistic and disciplinary communities in an analysis of the relevant factors, dominant traits, and future perspectives of humanities research and communication in the digital age. A European comparative perspective on how digital media are changing our profession and work is productive not just because Europe is a relevant space for academic life courses, research infrastructures (often sponsored by the European Union) and scholarly communities. Despite the close ties and interconnected histories, the rich and diverse humanities traditions and multi-linguistic structure allow for meaningful comparisons of the transformations we are currently not only undergoing, but just as much actively shaping within Europe’s scholarships.

These topics form the backdrop for a selection of three workshop panels: Scholarly Communication and Virtual Knowledge Production; Europeanization/ Internationalization of Research Infrastructures; and Changing Research Methodologies. In each panel, the panelists will approach the overall topic from specific points of view; ample time for discussion is given. Each panelist will contribute a presentation that addresses the overall topic from a perspective that highlights the specificities from their own national background, the experiences from their own digital projects in the context of the academic community at large, and their perceptions of prospective developments.

Please note that space is limited. If you wish to participate, please notify Claudia Prinz (prinzc@geschichte.hu-berlin.de) or Christine Strotmann (Christine.Strotmann@hu-berlin.de) by March 17th.