01 — Why we met
Although digital humanities and AI offer transformative potential for African studies, rapid adoption has outpaced critical reflection. Most AI tools remain optimised for Western languages, digitisation decisions often reinforce who controls historical materials, and African institutions frequently lack the infrastructure to participate on equal terms. This workshop brought together international experts to move beyond describing these challenges and develop concrete strategies that keep African perspectives at the forefront.
We prioritised production over presentation. Each day, participants progressed from mapping current barriers to co-designing actionable strategies, ensuring that African epistemologies remained at the centre of this process. Daily synthesis sessions connected insights across groups.
Three integrated work streams tackled critical intersections through facilitated dialogue rather than traditional panels: Methodological Integration, Equitable North–South/South–South Collaboration and Ethical Frameworks.
The workshop culminated in the drafting of a co-authored strategic roadmap. This document outlines the future direction of the field, providing practical recommendations to inform future research, funding policies and institutional decision-making.
02 — How we worked
Three integrated streams ran in parallel across the three days, each moving from documenting current practice to drafting concrete recommendations.
Adapting AI for African languages and establishing sustainable digital preservation models. Participants documented existing computational methods and infrastructure barriers, then developed technical standards and protocols suited to resource-constrained settings.
Designing partnership models that address power imbalances in North-South and South-South research relationships. This stream developed mechanisms for resource sharing and intra-continental collaboration, with African epistemologies at the centre.
Developing frameworks for ethical AI implementation that protect digital sovereignty and promote equitable scholarly exchange. Standards emphasised community engagement beyond consultation to true co-creation.
Workshop gallery → 03 — What came of it
Explore what came out of the three days in Hanover.
Photos Three days of collaboration captured in the workshop gallery.
Interviews Participants share their perspectives in short video interviews. Concept Map An interactive network of ideas from the workshop's bibliography.This scoping workshop was made possible by the generous support of the Volkswagen Foundation.
Convened by Frédérick Madore (University of Bayreuth) and Vincent Hiribarren (King's College London).