Sharon Webb

Dr. Sharon Webb is an Associate Professor in Digital Humanities within the History Department at the University of Sussex, School of Media, Arts and Humanities. She serves as Director of the Sussex Digital Humanities Lab, a position she has held since March 2021. With an interdisciplinary background spanning history and computer science, Dr. Webb bridges traditional humanities scholarship with digital methodologies to create innovative approaches to historical and archival research.

Her educational background includes a PhD in History and Digital Humanities from National University of Ireland, Maynooth, a BA (Double Honors) in History and Computer Science from the same institution (2004-2007), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Sussex (2017).

Dr. Webb's research sits at the intersection of digital humanities, critical archival studies, and digital preservation. Her work focuses on:

• Feminist approaches to software and technology
• Queer heritage and digital preservation
• Histories of feminist collectives and technology
• The role of women in computing history
• Critical approaches to community archives
• Irish associational culture and nationalism of the 18th-19th centuries

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward intersectional feminist approaches to digital humanities, with particular attention to how technological infrastructures can either reinforce or challenge structural inequalities. Her research spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in archival preservation and digital methodology, often addressing issues of bias, discrimination, and community engagement in technology.

Dr. Webb has received recognition for her innovative teaching, including the Innovation in Teaching Award in 2019. She has developed several courses including 'Techno-Feminism: History and Practice,' '(Digital) Archives,' and 'Archiving Power: Empire to Windrush,' which reflect her research interests and commitment to critical pedagogy.

She is actively involved in securing research funding, with current and recent projects including:

• Queer Heritage South: Live Archive Brighton & Hove (2024-2028, HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND)
• Religion is for God and Orgasm is for All (2023, BRITISH ACADEMY)
• Full Stack Feminism in Digital Humanities (2021-2024, AHRC-IRC)
• Women in Focus (2021-2023, University of East Anglia)

As Director of the Sussex Digital Humanities Lab, Dr. Webb oversees a vibrant research community focused on critical engagement with digital technologies in humanities contexts. The lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together scholars from various fields to explore innovative approaches to digital scholarship. Her leadership emphasizes feminist, queer, and community-centered perspectives in digital humanities work.