Hands on! Interdisciplinary research

We focus on research topics that are closely connected to political, economic and societal issues in Luxembourg’s contemporary history, analysed from a transnational and European perspective. Our methodology involves an experimental and hands-on approach to digital tools with a critical reflection on underlying assumptions.

Highlights

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Innovative research and ‘Thinkering’

“Thinkering” is the leitmotiv behind research at the C²DH. The neologism composed of the verbs “tinkering” and “thinking” describes the action of playful experimentation with technological and digital tools for the study, interpretation and visualisation of history. Embracing this hands-on approach drives digital innovation, reveals unexpected historical insights and unlocks new and engaging transmedia narratives.

Through its public history activities, the centre also aims to engage with a wider community beyond academia. The C²DH draws on an extensive network of local, historical, cultural and societal partners to engage in dynamic cooperation and participatory research, with the aim of disseminating knowledge as widely as possible and increasing the impact of its research.

Our research groups

Research is structured in four research groups which reflect the C²DH’s aim to perform as a key player in three interrelated fields of interest: 1) research on contemporary history of Luxembourg from a transnational perspective; 2) reflection on the methodological and epistemological challenges of history in the digital age; 3) promotion of multimodal and digital literacy in academic research and teaching.

Research groups

Research focus on four main areas

Contemporary history of Luxembourg
Research on the contemporary history of Luxembourg will investigate the political, economic, cultural and social history of Luxembourg in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Contemporary European history
Research on contemporary European history will examine the historical dynamics of acceleration and change in the 20th and 21st centuries. Reflecting the wider international and historical context, in particular the Cold War and the processes of globalisation and regionalisation, many possible European histories will be studied, including the complex project of European (dis)integration.

Public history & Outreach
Public history initiatives at the centre reflect a democratisation-based approach to historical scholarship that questions authority and explores possibilities for critical engagement with members of the public.

Digital history & historiography
History as a field of enquiry is at the edge of a conceptual precipice. The radical impact of the digital turn on the practice of historical research in all its stages (archiving, research, analysis, interpretation and narrative) requires critical reflection on the methodological and epistemological consequences of digital technologies for the science of history. This pillar aims to combine cutting edge research on new tools and practices of digital historiography with new forms of public engagement and online dissemination of research results, for both an academic audience and the broader public.