DASH - Swedish National Research School in Digital Humanities: Data, Culture, and Society - Critical Perspectives

DASH is now open for applications 2024!

Keep an eye on our website or sign up to our newsletter to find out when the next round of applications are.

What is DASH?

Studying the nexus of data, culture and society is purported to be a success factor for value creation in a world of fast-pacing technology. DASH is the Swedish National Research School in Digital Humanities: Data, Culture, and Society - Critical Perspectives, which has been nationally funded by the Swedish Research Council (ref. 2022-06375).

DASH targets PhD candidates in the humanities and social sciences who do not yet possess specific computational or technical knowledge or skills, but who are interested in learning more with the purpose of applying this to their future thesis work. The research school will provide doctoral candidates with relevant knowledge and skills situated at the intersection of ICT and arts and humanities as well as address critical perspectives in their application. The aim is to introduce participants to computational methods from a critical humanities and social sciences perspective and to increase collaboration nationally and internationally.

DASH will significantly strengthen future researchers in the field by connecting PhD candidates across Sweden via courses, advanced workshops at each partner institution, and a summer school in digital methods for humanities and social sciences. It will additionally offer access to selected existing resources (courses, seminars, workshops) from among four partner universities: Uppsala, Umeå, Linnaeus and Gothenburg.

Activities

Courses: DASH offers a range of courses in cultural analytics; digital tools and methods; data management and open science; critical theory and digital transformation; digital research: methods and perspectives in the humanities and social sciences; reconstructing/deconstructing cultural heritage in the digital age; and ethics, politics, and policies in Digital Humanities.
Summer School: The doctoral school also includes attendance to the Baladria summer school on digital methods and one-week in Zadar, Croatia, with expenses covered by DASH.
Seminar series: DASH partners will organize a seminar series each term, connecting doctoral students with researchers and other colleagues working with digital humanities and social science research.
Annual advanced graduate workshops: During the spring term, a workshop is organised for doctoral students to explore their research with colleagues and fellow doctoral students.
Introductory meeting: The introductory meeting welcomes students to the DASH school with an in-person get together. These days include an introduction to the format and organization of the doctoral school, group seminars, and social events.

General questions regarding DASH may be directed here.

Partner institutions and coordinators

Uppsala University (coordinating institution): Anna Foka, Clelia LaMonica, Matti La Mela

Umeå University: Coppelie Cocq

Linnaeus University: Koralijka Golub

Gothenburg University: Jonathan Westin

Application process

DASH is open for applications until 31 May.

Doctoral candidates should apply here. Applications should include:

A CV (max 3 pages)
A thesis project plan (max 6 pages including references)
A cover letter motivating how their project could benefit from the graduate school and its activities (max 1 page)
A letter of reference by the supervisor(s), approving the student’s participation.
In their application, the candidate should prioritize the courses they are interested in taking as part of the doctoral school.

Preference would be given to applicants who are committed to a minimum of one PhD course, one advanced graduate workshop, and one summer school which is financially supported. Seminar attendance is strongly recommended but not mandatory.

Upon completion students will be awarded a certificate stating that they have participated in the Swedish National Research School in Digital Humanities including completed activities (courses, summer school, seminars etc) and credits.

Applying to DASH - requirements

Enrolled in a PhD program

Students must already be enrolled in a PhD program in any humanities or social sciences subject across Swedish institutions.

Related thesis

Students must specify if/how their thesis relates or may relate to digital perspectives, methods, tools or materials.

Selection

Selection will be based on the quality of student applications. In case there is a high volume of applicants, priority will be given to students that have two - three years left in their individual course of study. The free-standing courses may be available to a selected number of additional students provided that there is availability.