DHKO 2026
Digital Humanities, Society, and Democracy
The fourth annual conference of the National Research Network for Digital Humanities and Culture Organisation (DHKO) will be held at Høgskolen i Østfold (HiØ) at Campus Remmen, organised in colloboration with the research group Tekst-i-kontekst on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th October 2026. This year's DKHO conference focuses on digital humanities and their relationship to society and democracy. We are inviting contributions to the conference; see the Call for Papers below. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 15 May.
We live in a time characterized by a rapidly changing geopolitical climate, where democracy is under pressure. How can digital humanities within academia and libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) contribute to societal preparedness and critical technology use in such a context? The DHKO conference 2026 explores these questions through a thematic focus on the interaction between digital humanities and society.
Previous DHKO conferences have often thematized resources and methods within AI, focusing on the opportunities AI can provide. However, the development of generative AI and the concentration of power in the technology industry raises questions about how the Norwegian language and society are equipped. How can AI contribute to solving this societal challenge, and what infrastructural investments are necessary?
If AI technologies represent the most modern side of digital humanities, two of the most classic methods are corpus studies and distant reading. Both methods can contribute to examining uneven power structures and, by extension, helping us shape a more democratic society.
In a broader perspective, the conference will lay the foundation for a more inclusive discussion about digital structures and their social implications, with the aim of reducing unjust power structures. These initiatives are essential for achieving both national and international goals in research and cultural dissemination.
Suggested themes include but are not limited to:
- Digital humanities and society
- Digital humanities and democracy
- Critical perspectives on technology in society
- Digital sovereignty
- Freedom and resistance in digital dissemination in the LAM field
- Experience-sharing and discussion of open source / open access
- DH methods to amplify marginalized voices
- Digital humanities, AI and the future
We invite contributions either in the form of oral presentation, poster or workshop. The overall focus should be on digital humanities and its relationship to society and democracy. We accept contributions in Scandinavian languages and English and look forward to many pleasant reunions and new acquaintances.
Send abstracts (max 300 words) to: DHKO2026@hiof.no.
Abstract submission deadline: May 15.
Format and language: Please indicate whether your submission is for an oral presentation, poster, or workshop, as well as which language you will use.
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Contact persons:
Marcus Axelsson marcus.axelsson@hiof.no
Anje Müller Gjesdal anje.m.gjesdal@hiof.no