Breaking traditional barriers: Collaboration, impact, and information technology in the humanities

The relationship between technology and scholars is changing, along with the definition of technology (information technology, ICT, instructional technology) and its applications in academia and in research (Zhang, ). While technology advances at a rapid pace, the sources of barriers and boundaries to extensive adoption in the humanities have remained the same. This panel brings together student, faculty, and professional speakers to examine key topics related to the role of information and technology in the development of research practices for, and about, the arts and humanities. Two core themes will be examined: 1) the importance of collaborative, cross‐disciplinary programs, and, 2) the visibility afforded by technology and technology‐based engagement allowing greater “impact” in arts and humanities disciplines. Within this context, panelists will discuss a collaborative interactive exhibit of library data, image classification of library collections using Flickr, engagement with digital methods, and an examination of altmetrics and current trends in research assessment. The current and potential impact of information and technology within the context of the arts and humanities is profound. Given the focus on cultural impediments and the need to foster a core set of e‐based traditions in many disciplines, additional examination of the themes of collaboration and impact will help to define the continued importance of this topic within ASIS&T. Additionally, this panel responds to the need of information professionals and humanists for practical, implementable techniques to disrupt tradition and integrate information technology in new ways.