Speaker: Prof. Katherine Bode, Ph.D.
Chair: Prof. Dr. Julian Schröter (LMU)
Abstract: This paper tells the story of the past twenty years of my data practice and how I went from presuming the objectivity of data, to proclaiming its subjectivity, to exploring its performativity. Or, this paper describes how I went from being certain, to being uncertain, to understanding that un/certainties have nothing to do with the messy realities of textual practices, including data. In the process, I raise some conceptual and practical problems with the representational logic that organizes our thinking about (and with) data, and I suggest making as a paradigm for computational research in literary studies. In considering the value/s of data work in this context, I ask what we give up and what we gain by refusing samples, biases, accuracy, transparency, and results, and instead approaching data making as a practice that values attention to detail, responsiveness, creativity, responsibility, trust, and care.
Katherine Bode is professor of literary and textual studies at the Australian National University. Her research explores the potential of applying computational approaches to literary phenomena and literary approaches to computational phenomena including in A World of Fiction: Digital Collections and the Future of Literary History and in recent articles in journals such as Critical Inquiry and New Literary History.
The lecture is part of the CAS Research Focus “Scales”/”Maßstäbe”.
Registration
Registration is required for participation. If you are interested in our event, please contact j.schroeter@lmu.de.