Christopher Thomson

Christopher Thomson is a Senior Lecturer in the English Department within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha) in Aotearoa New Zealand. He has held this academic position since January 6, 2014, and currently serves as the director of the UC Arts Digital Lab. His work bridges traditional humanities scholarship with cutting-edge digital methodologies, creating innovative approaches to literary and historical analysis.

Thomson's research focuses on the intersection of literary studies and digital humanities, particularly examining how quantitative methods can inform and re-frame questions about cognitive and new materialist theoretical approaches to literary texts. He also supervises research on the application of digital research methods, such as text classification and information extraction, to historical text corpora in Aotearoa New Zealand. His scholarly work demonstrates a consistent engagement with digital laboratory studies, exploring how these spaces shape research practices and knowledge production in the humanities.

His publication record shows significant contributions to digital humanities methodology, post-disaster archiving, and the theoretical implications of digital approaches for literary studies. Thomson has been particularly active in exploring how digital tools can be applied to analyze community discourses in post-earthquake Christchurch, using techniques like topic modeling and positioning analysis. His work on the CEISMIC Canterbury Earthquakes Digital Archive demonstrates his commitment to preserving cultural memory through digital means.

As an educator, Thomson is registered to supervise both Master's and Doctoral students, focusing on digital humanities approaches to literary and historical research. His supervision emphasizes practical digital skills alongside theoretical understanding, preparing students for contemporary research environments. His work with student research assistants in laboratory settings reflects his commitment to collaborative, hands-on learning experiences.

Thomson's leadership of the UC Arts Digital Lab positions him at the forefront of digital scholarship development at the University of Canterbury. The lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary digital research, supporting faculty and students across the humanities in developing and implementing digital methodologies. His recent edited volume on digital humanities laboratories contributes significantly to global conversations about research infrastructure in the humanities.