MDPI Canada | MDPI Subject Workshop—Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities, 23 May 2026

On behalf of MDPI, we are pleased to extend a personal invitation to attend the MDPI Subject Workshop “Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities”.

To further promote in-depth dialogue among scholars in the humanities and encourage transdisciplinary academic exchange, MDPI Canada is hosting this event on 23 May 2026. We cordially invite you to participate and warmly welcome your attendance!

Date: 23 May 2026 | Full-Day Event
Location: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (123 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M9)

Workshop Chair:

Name: Prof. Albrecht Classen
Affiliation:University of Arizona, USA
Research interests:

German and European literature
Religion
Philosophy

Workshop program:

Registration	8:30–9:00 a.m.
Opening Speech Prof. Dr. Albrecht Classen (University of Arizona) and Elvis Wang (MDPI Publisher and MDPI Canada—Operating Director)	9:00–9:10 a.m.
What Is Humanism in the Face of Artificial Intelligence? Dr. Michael Bryson, California State University, Northridge	9:10–9:40 a.m.
AI Slop: How Prompts Killed AI Art Prof. Dr. Ahmed Elgammal, Rutgers University	9:40–10:10 a.m.
Designing Homes and Communities as Exercise Machines Prof. Dr. Avi Friedman, McGill University	10:10–10:40 a.m.
Coffee Break and Group Photo	10:40–11:10 a.m.
Transdisciplinarity as Translation: Crossing Boundaries in East Asian Architecture Prof. Dr. Nancy S. Steinhardt, University of Pennsylvania	11:10–11:40 a.m.
Language Acquisition Research in Theory and Practice Prof. Dr. Thomas Roeper, University of Massachusetts Amherst	11:40 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
Economy and Language Vitality: How Some Languages Die, While Others Become Dominant or Remain Resilient Prof. Dr. Salikoko S. Mufwene, The University of Chicago	12:10–12:40 p.m.
Buffet Lunch	12:40–2:10 p.m.
Philosopher Poets: The Case of Wittgenstein Dr. Lindsay Stern, Texas State University	2:10–2:40 p.m.
A Measure for Measure: Butler, Critical Theory, and the Value of the Humanities Prof. Dr. Jeffrey R. Di Leo, Texas A&M University–Victoria	2:40–3:10 p.m.
MDPI, Market Dynamics, and Publishing Trends in Humanities Field Dr. Barnaby Crook, MDPI	3:10–3:40 p.m.
Coffee Break	3:40–4:10 p.m.
Environmental Humanities: Literature as a Research Tool for Environmental Studies Prof. Dr. Albrecht Classen, University of Arizona	4:10–4:40 p.m.
Transdisciplinary Model for Environmental Protection and Primordial Prevention of Disease—Environmental Protection and Health Model (EPHM) Dr. Ronald B. Brown, University of Waterloo	4:40–5:10 p.m.
The Environmental Humanities Today: Interdisciplinary Challenges and Change Dr. Robert Brazeau, University of Alberta	5:10–5:40 p.m.
Closing Ceremony Prof. Dr. Albrecht Classen, University of Arizona	5:40–5:50 p.m.
Networking	5:50–6:30 p.m.

Key topics:

AI and data in the humanities: methods, practices, and reflections;
Environmental humanities;
Humanities, literature and identity.

We hope this workshop will serve as a welcoming space where researchers in the humanities can exchange ideas, discuss evolving topics, and connect with peers across disciplines. Participation is free, and refreshments and lunch will be provided throughout the day. Attendants are kindly asked to arrange their own travel.

If you would like to join us, please register using the link below, and feel free to pass this invitation along to others who may be interested in humanities-related fields. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been successfully submitted.

Registration link: MDPI Subject Workshop | Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities – Fill out form.
Registration deadline: 20 May 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact us via email at eventplanning@mdpi.com.

We look forward to your participation!

MDPI Canada