International Round Table: “Different Cultures in Digital History”

8 June 2021 at 2.30pm (CEST), online

The aim of the round table is to bring together specialists in digital history and experts who use digital tools in historical research and education. History as an academic field is undergoing major changes as a result of the transformative impact of digital technologies. These technologies affect the very nature of sources, the practice of data collection and processing, and also the way in which historical knowledge is acquired and disseminated. The task of defining “digital history” has given rise to much debate and discussion, but developing an understanding of the field and the wide-ranging potential for interaction between history and digital technologies can offer insights into the future development of historical research and education. Analysing the challenges and opportunities of this interdisciplinary union can inform and enrich the various cultures within digital history and beyond.

A number of prominent speakers from different cultures of digital history and related disciplines will participate in the round table:

  • Prof. Leonid Borodkin is a Professor of the History Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Chair of Department for Historical Information Science, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Science (Russia).
  • Prof. Hannu Salmi is a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Turku and has been Academy Professor since 2017 (Finland).
  • Prof. Peter Gautschi is a Professor of History Education, Head of the Lucerne Institute of History Education and Memory Cultures, UTE Lucerne (Switzerland).
  • Prof. Valérie Schafer has been a Professor in Contemporary European History at the C²DH (Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History) at the University of Luxembourg since February 2018.
  • Dr Mareike König is deputy director of the German Historical Institute in Paris. She is also director of its library and its digital humanities departement.

The round table will be organised and moderated by Nadezhda Povroznik (Center for Digital Humanities) and Frédéric Clavert (C²DH).

The round table will start with a short introduction by the speakers about their background in digital history. Discussions will then follow based on a series of deliberative questions. Finally, a question and answer session will be held to give speakers and attendees the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas.

Anyone with an interest in issues relating to digital history and the application of digital tools and technologies to historical research and education is very welcome to join the round table.

The recording of the roundtable is now available online.