Die Referentin spricht online.
Abstract:
This talk revisits the concept of the “dark sides of DH” as a lens for examining persistent structural issues in digital humanities. Originally focused on neoliberalism, these debates revealed discomfort with DH’s institutional positioning and perceived lack of critical engagement. Internally, DH is often seen as a progressive force, yet may be blinded by vocational awe—the uncritical belief in its intrinsic virtue—which can obscure systemic inequalities. These concerns, still as relevant today as when the topic of “dark sides” was first discussed, reflect entrenched disparities inherited from academia and the tech industry. Issues including limited engagement with AI ethics, data gaps, language diversity, and the marginalisation of feminist perspectives, despite their potential to address structural imbalances still persist today. Furthermore, the dominance of AI and other computational (rather than “just digital”) methods narrows the scope of what is considered legitimate research in the field, limiting potential for more inclusive representation. It is a naive assumption that good people will know how to act ethically because this requires skills and tools. This talk highlights practical strategies to address current challenges, drawing on dataset audits and the forthcoming ZfdG Working Paper on Data Feminism from the AG Empowerment group. Grounded in critical archival studies, these initiatives offer accessible approaches for promoting more equitable, inclusive practices in DH.
Kurzbio:
Sarah Lang ist Leiterin der Digital Humanities am Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte (Berlin). Zuvor war sie Postdoktorandin am Zentrum für Informationsmodellierung der Universität Graz. Nach ihrem Studium der Geschichte und Klassischen Philologie in Graz und Montpellier promovierte sie 2021 mit einer Arbeit über frühneuzeitliche alchemistische Literatur, in der sie Digital Humanities und Wissenschaftsgeschichte miteinander verband und für die sie den Bader-Preis der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften erhielt.
Als Vorsitzende der AG Empowerment des Verbands „Digital Humanities im deutschsprachigen Raum“ (DHd), in deren Vorstand sie ebenfalls tätig ist, interessiert sich Sarah Lang für Themen wie (geschlechtsspezifische) Datenlücken, Datenfeminismus, Diversität in den DH, Dekolonialisierung von Daten, Datenethik und verwandte Aspekte.