Session Proposal: Where DH is Welcomed, Where it is not

Digital Humanities is a banner, a rallying point, and a buzzword with great value in many cases. Some administrators are happy to see work that seems up-to-date come out of humanities and soft social sciences that may seem antiquated or out of touch. Some graduate students are excited to use techniques that have proven their value in other sectors of the economy. Some faculty are excited to get new insights into old topics with new tools. Some scholars are happy to bring older methods to bear on digital topics. Some students are happy to gain job skills while still studying topics they love.

But there are also detractors. Many professors don’t see what all the commotion is about. Many grad students don’t know whether what they are doing is digital humanities or not.

If the Digital Humanities remains a contested term and a floating signifier, but has emerged as a particularly important one because it has proven useful to many individuals and groups, what are the ways it has proven useful? Where is it unwelcome? Are there cases where it is not helping and what are they?

In the tradition of an unconference, this session would be a place for allcomers to share what they have seen and what they imagine so we can all better understand the term, the movement, and the best ways forward.