Programme
Workshop Schedule
Three days of collaborative dialogue, knowledge sharing and strategic planning at the intersection of Digital Humanities and AI in African Studies.
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Methodological Integration & Digital Preservation
Participants documented existing computational methods, preservation infrastructure and implementation barriers before developing technical standards, preservation protocols and implementation strategies. Areas of focus included adapting AI for African languages and establishing sustainable digital preservation models.
What came of it Four working groups produced flipchart posters that anchored the World Café tables, and rapporteurs presented the first cross-group synthesis. Photos from this day · Participant interviews
- 08:00
Registration & Welcome Coffee
- 09:00
09:45PlenaryOpening and Introduction
- Welcome remarks and overview of workshop format and goals (position paper)
- Brief participant introductions
- Introduction to collaborative workspace and explanation of the programme
- 09:45
11:00PlenaryDigital Humanities, AI and African Linguistic Diversity
- 11:00
Coffee Break
- 11:30
13:00SubgroupsWorking Groups Session
Working groups convene to discuss
DeliverableA flipchart poster summarising the group's key themes, questions, and discussion points to anchor their World Café table
- 13:00
Lunch Break
- 14:30
16:00World CaféWorld Café
Three rounds of 25 minutes across four thematic tables.
- 16:00
Coffee Break
- 16:30
17:15SubgroupsDay One Synthesis: Group Work
Small groups gather and prepare a short summary of key findings from World Café conversations
- 17:15
18:00PlenaryDay One Synthesis: Presentations
Rapporteurs present key insights from each working groups
- 18:30 Social
Dinner
Thursday, 19 February 2026
Fostering Equitable Collaboration
Centred African epistemologies to redesign research partnerships and resource distribution. This stream worked on concrete mechanisms for North-South and South-South collaboration that dismantle power imbalances and promote genuine reciprocity.
What came of it Poster presentations set out concrete mechanisms for North–South and South–South partnership, which fed the ethical framework drafted on Day Three. Photos from this day · Participant interviews
- 08:30
Welcome Coffee
- 09:30
10:00PlenaryReflection on Day One
- Housekeeping
- Recap of key insights and deliverables from Day One, emphasising the link between methodological development and issues of equity and access
- Briefly revisit outstanding questions from Day One that are relevant to Day Two's themes
- 10:00
11:00PlenaryMapping Digital Inequalities: Assessing Resource Distribution and Access in DH and AI for African Studies
- 11:00
Coffee Break
- 11:30
13:00SubgroupsWorking Groups Session
Working groups convene to discuss and prepare posters to present their findings.
DeliverableA poster summarising the group's key themes, questions, and discussion points for the afternoon poster presentations
- 13:00
Lunch Break · Festsaal
- 14:30
16:00PostersPoster Presentations
Groups present posters developed during the morning session on equitable research collaboration models.
- Each group presents their poster summarising key themes, questions, and discussion points on equitable collaboration
- Followed by open discussion and feedback from all participants
- 16:00
Coffee Break
- 16:30
17:15SubgroupsDay Two Synthesis: Group Work
Small groups gather and prepare a short summary of key findings from poster presentations and discussions
- 17:15
18:00PlenaryDay Two Synthesis: Presentations
Rapporteurs present key insights from each session, highlighting key deliverables related to equitable collaboration
- 18:30 Social
Dinner
Friday, 20 February 2026
Ethical Frameworks & Digital Sovereignty
Developed guidelines for data governance and responsible AI implementation. The focus shifted from passive consultation to active co-creation, establishing standards that protect digital sovereignty and ensure equitable knowledge dissemination.
What came of it The writing session produced a finalised position-paper outline, agreed writing responsibilities and a timeline, plus a list of follow-up commitments. Photos from this day · Participant interviews
- 08:30
Welcome Coffee
- 09:00
09:30PlenaryAims of Day 3
- 09:30
11:00World CaféEthical Dilemmas and Best Practices in DH and AI Implementation in African Institutions and Archives 1/2
- 11:00
Coffee Break
- 11:30
13:00World CaféEthical Dilemmas and Best Practices in DH and AI Implementation in African Studies 2/2
- 13:00
Lunch Break · Festsaal
- 14:15
15:15PlenarySlides and Instructions for the Position Paper
- Establishment of a clear timeline for post-workshop drafting, review, editing, and dissemination of the position paper
- 15:15
Coffee Break
- 15:30
16:30SubgroupsWriting Session
- Structured session focused on finalising the framework and key recommendations for the position paper, incorporating the ethical principles and policy recommendations developed during Day Three
- Review and refinement of the position paper outline and key messages
Deliverables- Draft sections of the position paper with key recommendations
- Refined position paper outline and key messages
- 16:30
17:00PlenaryWhat's Next / Conclusion
- Discussion and commitment to concrete follow-up activities and collaborative actions beyond the workshop to implement workshop recommendations
- Deliverable: Finalised outline of the position paper, agreed-upon writing responsibilities and timeline, and a preliminary list of concrete follow-up actions and commitments from workshop participants
- Final reflections from all participants on the workshop experience and key takeaways
- Formal commitments from participants to specific actions and collaborations following the workshop
- Formal closing remarks
- 20:00
Practical
Dates and Venue
- Workshop dates
- 18-20 February 2026
- Three-day intensive workshop