After a detailed introduction to a case study in data reuse within the humanities, this article uses that initial discussion to provide a detailed discussion of Borgman and Groth (2005). We point out that data reuse in the humanities enables us to transform the relationship between specialist research and the intellectual life of society. Research data, originally designed for a relatively narrow audience of specialists, can make primary sources, composed in languages other than English and in unfamiliar cultural contexts, newly accessible both to specialists from other areas and to the public as a whole (Crane et al, 2023). Data sharing and reuse can, in this way, transform the relationship between specialist research in the humanities and the intellectual life of society as a whole. The more efficiently and effectively specialists can reuse data, the more effectively we will be able to contribute tangible value to nonspecialists. The goal is not to simplify complexity but to provide pathways from an initial, cursory engagement into the richer material and ultimately to as much expertise as individuals from around the world wish to develop. In this model, specialist data reaches new audiences and realizes value that was not feasible in print culture. The outcome of efficient data sharing is to revitalize the social contract between the humanities and society and thus to invigorate and expand the humanities at every level.
| Artificial Intelligence |
| Research Data Curation and Management Works |
| Digital Curation and Digital Preservation Works |
| Open Access Works |
| Digital Scholarship |