FUB-HUJI Digital Humanities Winterschool @ Freie Universität Berlin, 24.02-26.02.2025
Funded by the German Israeli Foundation (GIF) and the German U15 Network the Hebrew University of Jerusalem הַאוּנִיבֶרְסִיטָה הַעִבְרִית בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם (HUJI) and the Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) are hosting a joint DH Winterschool.
The term Digital Humanities (DH) refers to the utilization of computational tools (from off-the-shelf software to specifically tailored algorithms) to enrich traditional research and develop new and cutting-edge methods in the humanities. In recent years, DH snowballed from being a technical-methodological supplement to extant research in the humanities to an independent discipline that corresponds with and challenges the knowledge and methodologies in traditional research areas in the humanities. As such, DH redefines the investigated objects and how we understand them, be it text, map, physical artifacts, handwriting, corpus, language, sound, or image. In addition, the last decade saw a flourish of DH in the various universities having dedicated conferences, journals, associations, and teaching programs.
In this winter school, students will explore the multifaceted application of generative AI in humanities research, alongside critical examinations of the ethical considerations inherent in its utilization. Participants will acquire a holistic understanding of the potential and responsibilities associated with harnessing AI-driven creativity in the realm of humanistic inquiry, and meet other graduate students interested in DH from the various institutions in Israel and Germany.The winter school will be held at Freie Universität Berlin between 24 and 26 February 2025.
Image: Wannenmacher & ADA
The topic
The topic for this year’s winter school will focus on the multifaceted exploration and application of generative AI in humanities research, alongside critical examinations of the ethical considerations inherent in its utilization. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, we aim to explore how generative AI can empower scholars in fields such as linguistics, literature, history, and the arts, offering innovative tools for text generation, data analysis, and cultural preservation. Simultaneously, we acknowledge the pressing need to address the ethical dimensions surrounding the deployment of AI in humanities, including issues of bias, transparency, and intellectual property rights. By combining these two critical aspects, we seek to equip participants with a holistic understanding of the potential and responsibilities associated with harnessing AI-driven creativity in the realm of humanistic inquiry.
Application and Enrollment
Enrollment is competitive and open for all Ph.D. and Postdocs in humanities disciplines from German and Israeli Universities. The selection will be made by a committee of researchers from FUB and HUJI.
Note:
- Participation in the school is free of charge.
- Israeli participants’ flight will be booked through a designated travel agent.
- Israeli participants’ accommodation is pre-booked.
- German participants traveling from outside the Berlin-Brandenburg area will have their ground transportation costs reimbursed against receipts up to 80 Euro.
- German participants traveling from outside the Berlin-Brandenburg area can apply for accommodation in Berlin (accommodation is subject to advanced approval).
- The winter school will operate on a busy schedule of full days. Participants are expected to attend all lectures, workshops and activities.
- No prior knowledge of programming, mathematics, or statistics will be assumed.
- All participants must come with a laptop.
Last date for applications: December 15th, 2024
Answers will be given by: December 20th, 2024
