Research
The Junior Professorship for Digital Humanities bridges philosophy of science perspectives with computational research practice. At the core of this research lies the question of how humanistic theory work can be productively advanced under the conditions of digitization and generative artificial intelligence. The position examines the transformative potential of current technical methods for the humanities. This involves not only investigating the specific characteristics of humanistic knowledge production in the digital age, but also reassessing the role of the humanities as disciplines of reflection.
A central research concern is to illuminate the synergies that emerge from interweaving data analysis and algorithmic systems with humanistic practices such as interpretation and critique. This drives the development and dissemination of forward-looking critical practices and reflective descriptive categories that are essential for shaping a sustainable digital society.
The growing integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into research processes raises fundamental questions for the humanities. What theoretical assumptions are inscribed in LLMs? How do humanistic practices of theorizing change as a result? Beyond critically analyzing the epistemic presuppositions embedded in LLMs, the Junior Professorship develops approaches that leverage humanistic theories as resources for reflective engagement with AI. This work connects to the field of Critical AI Studies.
Statistical methods are firmly established in Digital Humanities. Yet their theoretical underpinnings often remain invisible. While humanistic theories are subject to explicit reflection, statistical methods tend to be treated as neutral tools. What difference does it make whether Digital Humanities research employs frequentist, Bayesian, or machine learning approaches? The goal is to foster a reflective statistical practice that not only applies theoretical foundations but critically engages with them.
Humanistic theories materialize not only in texts but increasingly in data models and other infrastructural settings. Through work with the DHd working group "Digital Humanities Theory," the Junior Professorship focuses on collaborative and participatory forms of theorizing in Digital Humanities. Key questions include how theoretical assumptions become operative in descriptive vocabularies and how theoretical content can be effectively taught ("Starterkit DH Theory").
