Dream
We imagine a South Africa where every community’s stories, knowledge, and creativity thrive in vibrant digital spaces. In this future, technology is more than a tool. We envision a South Africa where technology plays a critical role in amplifying local wisdom, connecting generations, and building fair and sustainable futures across the continent.
Vision
By 2030, the CDH aims to be Africa’s leading hub for human-centred digital innovation. We will bring together scholars, students, and communities to co-curate archives, collaborate in interactive labs, and build platforms that enable people to share and connect through creative, cultural products. These initiatives will strengthen creative economies, shape cultural policy, and reimagine the relationship between technology and society.
Our Mission
At the NWU Centre for Digital Humanities, we work with artists, researchers, and communities to:
- Preserve and share tangible and intangible heritage through ethical digital archives and immersive storytelling.
- Build creative labs where local stakeholders can develop digital skills and reframe their cultural practices.
- Use data in imaginative ways, through visualisation, sound, and storytelling, to highlight hidden social challenges and amplify marginalised voices.
- Create and share Open Educational Resources that make digital tools and humanities knowledge more accessible and responsive.
- Advocate for policies that prioritise people-focused technology, caring for both human and more-than-human worlds.
Our Strategic Goals
Five goals guide the Centre:
- Build a strong, human-centred digital humanities infrastructure.
- Grow an ecosystem of African digital humanities research.
- Equip communities with digital skills for inclusive innovation.
- Promote public scholarship and bring humanities research to broader audiences.
- Develop fair and sustainable funding partnerships across Africa and the globe.