ALLEA involved in expert discussion on academies and digitisation in the humanities

On 2 September 2015, circa 25 experts from the fields of research funding, humanities research, and science policy met in the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which hosts the ALLEA secretariat, for a discussion on the topic “The European Academies and Digitisation in the Humanities”.

The event began with an introduction of the “Survey and Analysis of Basic Social Science and Humanities Research at the Science Academies and Related Research Organisations of Europe”  (SASSH) study recently published by ALLEA and the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and led by Dr Camilla Leathem. The results of the study offer the first-ever overview of humanities and social sciences research at the science Academies in Europe.

After the presentation of the SASSH study, three invited experts delivered lectures on the discussion topic. Dr Julia Stamm from the European Commission showcased the opportunities and challenges for researchers in the social sciences and humanities regarding the procurement of funding and support within the current EU research funding programme Horizon 2020. Professor Claudine Moulin followed with a presentation of numerous different digital and physical research infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities. Finally, Professor Gerhard Lauer, member of the ALLEA Working Group on E-Humanities, presented examples of changes and shifts in humanities research that have been brought by different forms of digitisation.

The meeting closed with an animated discussion addressing, among others, the questions of how joint or cooperative projects by the European Academies can be supported and which role consistent data standards can play in digital projects in the social sciences and humanities.

To download the study, please click here.

The Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities is the umbrella organisation of eight German academies of sciences and humanities. The member academies comprise a total of over 1,900 scholars of diverse subjects, all of whom are outstanding representatives of their research fields, both nationally and internationally. Together they are committed to promoting scientific exchange, excellence in research, and supporting young early-stage researchers in the sciences and humanities. The Union coordinates the Academies’ Programme, currently the most comprehensive humanities and cultural sciences research programme in Germany. In addition, the Union promotes the exchange of information and experience between academies, and conducts press and public engagement activities. Furthermore, the Union represents the German academies of sciences and humanities abroad and sends delegates to national and international science organisations.

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