The Digital Humanities as a Framework for Refining and Retooling the Humanities in Africa: A Case Study of the University of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study argues that, potentially, digital humanities (DH), though an emerging research and disciplinary orientation, has the capacity to refine and retool the humanities and liberal arts. Beginning with some theoretical issues in DH, still in its infancy in Africa, the study focuses on the activities at the Centre for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos (CEDHUL) as a case study. The methodology adopted included eliciting relevant data from some of the ongoing DH projects at the Centre. In the discussion section, I demonstrate the use of some digital tools such as SketchEngine, 1 MAXQDA 2 Voyant Tools 3 and AntConc 4 in some discourse-based projects. The study submits that, with the deployment of digital tools for research projects and the sustenance of capacity programmes such as the Lagos Summer School in Digital Humanities (LSSDH), the prospects of DH in Africa offer rewarding possibilities for retooling humanities disciplines in different regions on the continent. Our DH works also offer some fresh perspectives and understanding of underexplored and understudied social data in Africa.