The Faculty of Humanities at North-West University, South Africa, is pleased to announce its second international Spring Week.
Conference theme:
The Digital, the human, and the possible: Rethinking humanities research in the age of AI
Aim of the international spring week
The aim of the international week is to bring together higher degree students, study leaders and researchers from different study fields in the humanities to learn and converse about the future of Humanities while navigating modernity and innovation. This week will provide opportunities to meet with renowned and expert researchers, attend workshops/seminars, but also presenting your own current and completed research or artwork. More importantly, a goal of this week is to have ample opportunities for networking, as well as constructive and critical discussions.
Workshops and seminars
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Wednesday: 17 September 2025
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07:45 – 08:15 |
Registration |
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08:15 – 08:30 |
Welcoming Prof Dumi Moyo |
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08:30 – 08:45 |
Welcoming Prof Mirna Nel |
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08:45 – 09:45 |
Keynote – Dr Bryan Carter (University of Arizona, USA) Digital futures: Leveraging AI for transformative research, teaching, and outreach in the humanities |
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09:45 – 10:15 |
Tea |
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10:15 – 13:15 |
Workshop – Dr Bryan Carter (University of Arizona, USA) |
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13:15 – 14:00 |
Lunch |
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Venue 1 |
Venue 2 |
Venue 3 |
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14:00 – 16:15 |
Academic writing skills |
Article model for a Doctoral thesis. How to get your article published |
African futurities, research and artificial intelligence |
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Prof Gustav Butler and Mrs Anneke Butler (UPSET, Faculty of Humanities, NWU)
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Prof Ian Rothmann (OPTENTIA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Blessed Ngwenya (OPTENTIA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU |
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16:15 – 17:00 |
Reflection |
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Thursday: 18 September 2025 |
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07:45 – 08:15 |
Registration |
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08:15 – 08:30 |
Welcoming – Prof Mirna Nel |
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08:30 – 09:30 |
Keynote – Prof Paul Arthur (Edith Cowan University, Australia) Human stories in data: Digital interpretations of slavery and migration |
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09:30 – 10:00 |
Tea |
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10:00 – 12:00 |
Vanderbijlpark campus |
Venue 2 |
Venue 3 |
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Mplus workshops |
Developing your research topic using AI: Strategies and tools |
Individual consultations |
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Prof Ian Rothmann (OPTENTIA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Chris van Rhyn (MASRA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Paul Arthur (Edith Cowan University, Australia) |
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12:00 – 13:00 |
Lunch |
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Vanderbijlpark campus |
Venue 2 |
Venue 3 |
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13:00 – 15:00 |
Mplus workshops |
Feminist research in the time of AI |
AI and Research – Practical applications of tools |
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Prof Ian Rothman (OPTENTIA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Tendayi Garutsa (Population and Health, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Liandi van den Berg (TELIT-SA, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, NWU) |
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15:00 – 15:30 |
Tea |
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15:30 – 16:30 |
Venue 1 |
Venue 2 |
Venue 3 |
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Roundtable discussion: Project management and productivity for PhD students and early career researchers |
Roundtable discussion: Curricular development to support and nurture scholars in the digital humanities |
Roundtable discussion: Creative futurities: Human AI co-creation and collaboration |
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Ms Thandeka Mfinyongo (MASARA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) & Ms Thembinkosi Magagula (MASARA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Dr Tanja Gaustad (CText, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Dr Cara Stacey (School of Performing Arts, Wits) |
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16:30 – 17:00 |
Reflection |
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Friday: 19 September 2025
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07:45 – 08:15 |
Registration |
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08:15 – 08:30 |
Welcoming Prof Mirna Nel |
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08:30 – 10:00 |
Venue 1 |
Venue 2 |
Venue 3 |
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Qualitative data analysis with ATLAS.ti 25 |
Intersection of AI and graphic design Mr Héniel Fourie (ViNCO, NWU) |
What is a theoretical framework? Developing a new framework or mode |
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Prof Liesl van der Merwe (MASARA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) Prof Ewie Erasmus (MASARA, Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
Telling engaging digital stories: Tools and applications Prof Janelize Morelli (Centre for Digital Humanities, NWU) |
Prof Abiodun Salawu (ILMA , Faculty of Humanities, NWU) |
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10:00 – 10:30 |
Tea/welcoming drinks |
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10:30 – 10:45 |
Welcoming: Prof Dumi Moyo |
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10:45 – 11:00 |
Welcoming: Prof Bismark Tyobeka |
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11:00 – 11:20 |
Performance: CCM Ensemble |
NWU School of Music |
Musical directors: Dr Michelle Pretorius Ms Titi Luzipo |
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11:20 – 12:40 |
Panel The role of digital humanities in ensuring technological alignment for humane, sustainable futures Dr Bryan Carter, Prof Paul Arthur, Prof Tunde Ope-Davies, Prof Liandi van den Berg, Prof Blessed Ngwenya, Mr Christiaan Steyn |
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12:40 – 13:00 |
Introduction to the Centre for Digital Humanities: Prof Janelize Morelli |
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13:00 – 13:10 |
Vote of thanks: Prof Mirna Nel |
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13:10 – 15:00 |
Lunch |
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