Editors’ Choice: Designing for discovery: using web maps in the digital humanities

Digital Humanities Now 2026-02-05

Editors’ Summary: This article examines how common web-mapping tools such as Google Maps, Leaflet and OpenStreetMap are used in the Digital Humanities, arguing that their default design choices shape interpretation and should be chosen intentionally. The author distinguishes between maps used for visual analysis (revealing spatial patterns) and those used for discovery (serving as gateways to cultural and research objects) and suggests design strategies that better support exploration and interpretation.

See full post.