Visualization Research in the Digital Humanities

Since the earliest research in digital and computational humanities, research on visualization has been ubiquitous to the field and central to its communication and the development of its research capabilities. From the analysis and presentation of large data sets over vast areas to work involving small, detailed studies of individuals, visualization in and for the digital humanities can involve any amount of data. Its goals range from sense-making and engaging new audiences to deepening understanding. This Research Topic aims to cover its humanities-relevant facets, including applied tool development, fundamental studies of perception, and innovative research.

Within the humanities, visualization is widely employed in a variety of contexts. In digital history, for example, network analysis often relies on graph visualizations, while digital source criticism uses visualizations in the context of interpretive research. Even conventional historiography frequently turns to digitally researched and created maps, charts, and graphs to help communicate research results. Curators use visualizations as aids in making past relationships and situations more accessible and understandable through engaging exhibits. Artists and graphic designers frequently work with researchers conducting research projects and developing digital humanities visualizations.

The range of issues concerning visualization research in the digital humanities is equally wide. Data sources are complex in any area of the humanities and can involve similarly complex visualizations. The challenges of dimensionality reduction are common, as are the design challenges arising in work and analysis of new and old media.

Given the wide range of applications and issues concerning the use of visualization in the digital humanities, the scope of this Research Topic is intentionally broad. The guest editors encourage submissions on sub-themes such as (but not limited to) the following:

• state-of-the-art research creating or involving visualizations used in humanities research, whether for historical work or in contemporary studies, and ranging from forensic studies of state practices to artistic interventions
• research on immersive technologies and new approaches to visualization that can further change the digital humanities
• changes in creating visualizations related to data infrastructures that come with fundamental shifts in computational research approaches
• new, no-code and low-code applications that go beyond the dashboard and suggest possible new flexibilities for digital humanities visualization research.

We welcome the submission of articles of different types (Original Research, Case Report, Data Report, Perspective, etc.). Details about the review process can be found here, and information about article processing charges here.

Frontiers in Communication accepts multiple formats for graphics submissions. We recommend that authors provide comparatively low-res and low-fidelity images and other visual material for the journal’s PDF layout to ensure the broadest possible audience, regardless of technology and infrastructure, and include supplemental or links to images and materials (e.g., animations) in higher resolutions and fidelities. Videos, tables, audio files, and high-res images can be uploaded as supplementary material during the submission procedure and will be displayed along with the published article. More information about the submission of supplementary material can be found here.

As Frontiers in Communication is a researcher-centric journal, it promotes independent review in the publishing process. Potential authors can also consider contributing to this Research Topic as reviewers, which will help increase the rigor of the contributions and the community. Please contact communication@frontiersin.org, f_harvey@leibniz-ifl.de, or karolina.uggla@mdu.se with any questions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: visualization, visualization research, digital humanities, visual communication

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.