How does digital technology transform the ways rhetorical history is researched, interpreted, and shared? From digitized archives to platforms that shape public memory and rhetorical circulation, digital tools are reshaping the evidence, scale, and audience in rhetorical inquiry. This First Friday Forum explores how scholars of rhetoric are engaging digital humanities approaches to reimagine historical research. Together we will ask, what new questions become possible when rhetoric is studied through data, networks, and digital archives? How do digital infrastructures mediate whose voices are preserved, amplified, or obscured? And how might rhetorical history help us critically assess the cultural and political stakes of digital knowledge production? Bringing together perspectives from those interested in both rhetorical history and digital humanities, this conversation invites participants to consider not only new methods, but also the theoretical and ethical implications of doing rhetorical history in a digital world.
https://stthomas.zoom.us/meeting/register/7C01dtmkS8KXcYQWgjFvGg
About the ASHR First Friday Forum Series: Inspired by the classical conception of the forum as an intellectual gathering place, ASHR’s “First Friday Forum” series promotes educational programming, professional development, and an inclusive, collaborative virtual community. It is our hope that this virtual space will foster dynamic, cross-disciplinary scholarly engagement for those interested in reexamining and reimagining the various histories of rhetoric across all periods, languages, cultures, and modes of performance. The Spring 2026 “First Friday Forum” series will focus on key questions related to the research and teaching of the history of rhetoric / rhetorical history. These virtual gatherings will take place on February 6, March 6, April 3, and May 1, 2026 from 12:00-1:00pm Central Time via Zoom.
About the ASHR First Friday Forum Series: Inspired by the classical conception of the forum as an intellectual gathering place, ASHR’s “First Friday Forum” series promotes educational programming, professional development, and an inclusive, collaborative virtual community. It is our hope that this virtual space will foster dynamic, cross-disciplinary scholarly engagement for those interested in reexamining and reimagining the various histories of rhetoric across all periods, languages, cultures, and modes of performance. The Spring 2026 “First Friday Forum” series will focus on key questions related to the research and teaching of the history of rhetoric / rhetorical history. These virtual gatherings will take place on February 6, March 6, April 3, and May 1, 2026 from 12:00-1:00pm Central Time via Zoom.
Please direct any questions to ASHR Special Programs Coordinator Dr. Kristen Einertson (eine4053@stthomas.edu).