Digital×
Humanities
and Social Sciences:
Pioneering a New Era of Knowledge
The fusion of five fields—Humanities, Education and Human Development, Law, Economics, and International Development—drives data-driven research.
We implement research outcomes in society, contributing to solving social issues.
Establishment of the Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences on April 1, 2024
In an era where academic disciplines are becoming increasingly specialized, there is a growing expectation for the development of new interdisciplinary fields and the creation of convergence knowledge that transcends the boundaries between the humanities and sciences. The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences was established in April 2024 to promote data-driven research utilizing digital data across both the humanities and social sciences. Our goal is to implement research outcomes in society and contribute to solving social issues.
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About the Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
Director:
Junichi Sakuma
The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences was established on April 1, 2024, as an interdepartmental educational and research facility within Nagoya University.
Our center seeks to foster interdisciplinary research across the humanities and social sciences through data-driven studies utilizing digitized research data. Recent technological advancements have enabled the digitization of not only numerical and textual data but also images, objects, and even large structures such as pyramids. These developments have had a profound impact on the humanities, increasing interest in the field of digital humanities. While the expansion of digital humanities has encouraged cross-disciplinary collaboration, partnerships between the humanities and social sciences remain limited. By advocating for digital humanities and social sciences, our center aims to bridge this gap and promote collaboration through a shared data-driven research methodology, pioneering new interdisciplinary domains. We will also actively engage with research institutions in Japan and abroad that are advancing digital humanities and social science research.
The advancement of research in the humanities and social sciences is often discussed in connection with the concept of "convergence knowledge." Addressing social issues requires insights not only from the sciences but also from the humanities and social sciences. However, in practice, convergence knowledge is often invoked only when technology alone cannot provide a solution. While it is encouraging that the value of the humanities and social sciences is acknowledged, these fields are often overlooked or used opportunistically. This tendency may stem from a lack of proactive engagement from scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
Going forward, it is crucial for these disciplines to take a more active role in identifying social issues and proposing solutions to society, inviting collaboration with the sciences as needed. While the center's primary mission is to promote interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences, we are equally committed to sharing the insights gained through our activities with the broader community. Additionally, we will establish cooperative relationships with science-related departments at Nagoya University, including the Institute of Innovation for Future Society, to facilitate the social implementation of research findings that could contribute to solving pressing societal challenges.
