What gets categorized counts: Controlled vocabularies, digital affordances, and the international digital humanities conference

Abstract

This article explores how terms are incorporated into the conference submission and review process for the international digital humanities conference. This article provides an overview of the Alliance for Digital Humanities Organizations (ADHO) conference reviewing process and how the controlled vocabulary structures the review process. We show how expanding and rethinking the controlled vocabulary can impact the experience of those who submit, review, and attend the conference. We consider how ConfTool, the submission and reviewing portal used for the international digital humanities conference, processes the controlled vocabulary and algorithmically influences the review of submissions. Ultimately, we advocate for the ability to make intentional and careful changes to conference vocabularies including considering the adoption of a formal ontology. We also suggest that changes to the ConfTool algorithm are needed to ensure a diverse and equitable future for digital humanities.