The geographies of ethics in Digital Humanities research: A critical analysis

Abstract

This paper explored the geographies of ethics in digital humanities research, examining how ethical practices are shaped by spatial, political, and social contexts. For the purpose of this research, the concept of geographies is understood not solely in spatial terms, but as psycho-social and socio-political spaces that are recursively constructed through research processes. Digital humanities represent a significant shift in the humanities and social sciences, blending computational technologies with critical, humanistic inquiry. As digital methods become increasingly central to research, they raise ethical concerns that demand careful reflection, particularly in relation to where and how research is conducted, funded, and reported. The central research question guiding this study is whether digital humanities research sufficiently recognizes and engages with the ethical implications of diverse geographies. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed articles and scholarly analyses, the study employed thematic synthesis to identify recurring concerns and patterns. The findings highlight tensions between technological standards and context-sensitive ethical frameworks, showing how digital technologies may both support and constrain ethical engagement across different geographical and institutional contexts. By mapping the ethical dimensions of digital humanities research through a geographic lens, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how ethics are enacted unevenly in global research landscapes, especially as digitalization continues to reshape scholarly practice.