UCLA Forges New Path: Nation's First Digital Humanities Department Unveiled

August 27, 2026, marks a genuinely historic moment in American higher education. UCLA, ever the trailblazer, has officially opened its doors to the nation's very first freestanding Department of Digital Humanities. And not just that – it’s also rolling out the country’s inaugural bachelor’s degree in this fascinating, future-forward field. This isn't merely a new program; it’s a profound reimagining of how we understand and engage with our increasingly digital world, right at the intersection of humanistic inquiry and technological innovation.

But what exactly is Digital Humanities, you might ask? Well, imagine taking the rich, critical lens of the humanities – think history, literature, philosophy, cultural studies – and merging it with the powerful tools and methodologies of computing. It's about using data science to analyze ancient texts, designing interactive maps for historical events, or employing algorithms to study social media trends. It's a field that doesn't just embrace technology but critically interrogates its impact on human experience, culture, and society. Truly, it’s about preparing students not just for jobs but for thoughtful, impactful citizenship in the 21st century.

This groundbreaking move didn't happen overnight, mind you. It's the culmination of years of dedicated work and remarkable growth. UCLA actually launched its pioneering Program in Digital Humanities way back in 2010, establishing it within the College Division of Humanities. Fast forward to the 2025–26 academic year, and the numbers tell a compelling story: over 200 undergraduates were minoring in digital humanities, making it the largest minor in the entire UCLA College and the second largest across the whole campus! Beyond that, some 750 undergraduates and more than 30 graduate students were actively engaged in digital humanities courses. Clearly, there was a palpable demand, a genuine hunger for this interdisciplinary approach.

At the helm of this exciting new venture is Dominic Thomas, a distinguished scholar and the Madeleine L. Letessier Professor of French and Francophone Studies. He now takes on the pivotal role of chairing this brand-new department, bringing a wealth of experience and a clear vision. He’s joined by Professor Todd Presner, from European Languages and Transcultural Studies, who co-led the crucial departmentalization process and previously chaired the successful Program in Digital Humanities. Their leadership, alongside a brilliant faculty including Miriam Posner (Information Studies), Safiya Noble (Gender Studies and African American Studies), Danny Snelson (English and Design Media Arts), and project scientist Wendy Kurtz, ensures a robust and diverse academic environment.

And the proof, as they say, is in the pudding – or rather, in the remarkable success of its students. Take Kylie Bach, for instance. She graduated in Spring 2026 with a minor in digital humanities and now holds a marketing position at J.P. Morgan Chase. Or Kedaar Sridhar, a 2022 computer science major who also minored in digital humanities; he’s now an AI fellow at Harvard University and a co-founder of Grantlytics. Cynthia Gong, a 2023 graduate with significant digital humanities experience, is thriving in real estate private equity. These aren't just isolated cases; they illustrate how this unique blend of skills equips graduates for an incredibly wide array of contemporary careers, from tech to finance, and beyond.

Alexandra Minna Stern, the Dean of the Humanities Division at UCLA, articulated it beautifully: this department isn't just about responding to current trends, but about shaping the future. In an age increasingly dominated by algorithms, big data, and artificial intelligence, the ability to critically analyze, interpret, and ethically deploy these technologies through a humanistic lens is not just valuable – it’s essential. It's about ensuring that technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around. This visionary step solidifies UCLA’s position at the forefront of educational innovation, boldly redefining the scope and relevance of the humanities for generations to come.