Research Seminar - Exploring Digital Humanities through the Lens of Journalism: A Case Study of Reader Comment Analysis

Exploring Digital Humanities through the Lens of Journalism: A Case Study of Reader Comment Analysis

Presented by: Dr Lujain Shafeeq

Date: Friday 08 September 2023
Time: 12-1pm
Location: Online via Zoom and in-person at the SCA Writer's Studio (Level 6, Michie Building)

Abstract

Digital Humanities involves employing computational tools and methodologies to augment traditional humanistic inquiries, but how can research in the humanities transgress into this space? This exploration is framed within research in the discipline of journalism, where the evolving landscape of Digital Humanities will be examined through research into an analysis of reader comments posted to online news story where the case study serves as a prism to identify aspects of Digital Humanities.

While the field of Digital Humanities had defining elements in digital archives, quantitative analyses and tool building projects, it has evolved to include a diverse spectrum of methods which encompass visualisation of expansive image collections, 3D modelling applied to historical artifacts, explorations of digitally native dissertation and other innovative practices. This presentation will identify frameworks that integrate digital aspects into research pursuits through exploring the case study of reader comments analysis, wherein digital tools and techniques have been instrumental in enhancing the understanding of audience engagement with news stories. The role of visualisation in the presentation of empirical and academic knowledge, preparing and presenting unstructured qualitative data to non-technical audiences and the role of the “computational turn” in the future of humanities research will also be evaluated. The presentation will offer insight into identifying how research inquiries in the humanities can be digital and explores methods and practices that offer pathways to impacting the scope of research.

Presenters

Lujain Shafeeq is a digital journalism lecturer based in the School of Communication and Arts. He is a USA Fulbright Scholar, UK Chevening Scholar and his expertise is in broadcast journalism and digital media with an emphasis on how digital technologies manifest and are utilised in online media. In the Maldives, Lujain was the editor of several news and television organisations, head of the journalism department at The Maldives National University and headed the Minister’s Bureau and Public Information Division at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He consulted for and completed design, digital media and journalism projects for organisations such as the UN and USAID.