Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion
Published on June 23, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today I'm thrilled to be talking with Dr. Sophia Gray, an expert in Digital Humanities and Religion. She's here to discuss her course, "Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion." Dr. Gray, it's great to have you on the show. GUEST: Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here! HOST: Let's dive right in. Can you share with us what initially drew you to the field of Digital Humanities and Religion? GUEST: Absolutely. I've always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and religious studies. Digital tools offer unique insights into historical trends and religious communities that would be difficult to uncover through traditional methods alone. HOST: That's fascinating. And how do you see digital humanities transforming the way we study religion today? GUEST: Digital humanities are revolutionizing religious studies by providing new avenues for data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. For instance, text analysis and network visualization can reveal patterns and connections within religious texts and communities that might go unnoticed otherwise. HOST: I can imagine that text analysis and network visualization can be quite challenging for those new to digital humanities. What are some common obstacles you've encountered while teaching these concepts? GUEST: One of the main challenges is helping students understand that these digital tools are not just fancy ways to present data, but rather they are methods for generating new insights and questions. It's essential to guide students in developing a critical eye when working with digital methods. HOST: That's a great point. Now, let's talk about the course itself. Who would benefit most from taking "Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion"? GUEST: This course is designed for students and scholars in religion, history, and digital humanities. It's ideal for anyone looking to develop essential skills in digital research methods and apply them to the study of religion. HOST: And what can students expect to take away from this course? GUEST: Students will gain hands-on experience with text analysis, network visualization, and digital mapping. They'll also learn about digital archives, data mining, and ethical considerations in digital research. HOST: As we look to the future, where do you see the field of Digital Humanities and Religion heading? GUEST: I believe that digital humanities will continue to play an increasingly important role in religious studies. As more data becomes available digitally, there will be even greater opportunities for innovative research and analysis. HOST: Dr. Sophia Gray, thank you so much for joining us today and giving us a sneak peek into your course, "Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion." It's been a pleasure and an enlightening conversation. GUEST: Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure discussing this exciting field with you.
