The Future of Sixteenth Century Studies: The Digital and the Human.

This article presents discussion of the discipline and methodology of historical scholarship and research as of 2009 and reflects on possible changes which could occur within the field in the following 40 years. Particular focus is given to the role of digital technology and its innovations, noting that while the precise nature of future discoveries cannot be described, it is likely that more and more automated and digitized infrastructures will become mainstream. Additional questions are raised regarding concerns over the "dehumanization" of such trends.