Digital Humanities and Social Equity: Pathways, Challenges, and Synergistic Evolution in the Global Digital Era

Abstract:

Digital Humanities (DH) has emerged as a pivotal force in advancing social equity, yet its potential to address systemic inequalities remains underexplored. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analysis of 35 global DH projects and qualitative interviews with 50 stakeholders (community leaders, DH practitioners, policymakers), to examine how DH initiatives can effectively bridge social divides related to education, cultural representation, and civic participation. The findings identify four core pathways through which DH fosters social equity—knowledge democratization, marginalized voice amplification, participatory governance, and digital capacity building—while highlighting persistent barriers including resource inequities, technical exclusion, and institutional resistance. By contextualizing these dynamics across developed and developing contexts, this research offers a nuanced framework for designing equitable DH practices that align with global social justice agendas. The study concludes that DH’s contribution to social equity is contingent on intentional design, cross-sector collaboration, and ongoing critical reflection on power dynamics within digital knowledge ecosystems.