MDPI Canada | Summary of the MDPI Subject Workshop—Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities

On 23 May 2026, MDPI Canada hosted their third North American subject workshop entitled “Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities”. This event brought together nearly 30 students and experts in the field of humanities to explore innovative, cross-disciplinary research shaping the future of the field. This meeting, held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, located in downtown Toronto, provided a platform for in-depth scientific exchange.

Our workshop host, Summer Huggard, Operations Manager of MDPI Canada, opened the event with an introduction to our conference chair, Prof. Dr. Albrecht Classen of the University of Arizona. Prof. Dr. Classen welcomed our attendees to the event, outlining three subtopics of the workshop: AI and data in the humanities; environmental humanities; and humanities, literature, and identity. These topics emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the direction of the humanities in our rapidly changing world. MDPI Canada’s Operating Director, Elvis Wang, then thanked all contributors and spoke about MDPI’s core principles of transparency, trusted service, integrity, and role in promoting excellence and advancing open science.

The day’s presentations were full of exciting discussion as eleven speakers spoke about their research findings. These eleven presenters included Dr. Michael Bryson, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Elgammal, Prof. Dr. Avi Friedman, Prof. Dr. Nancy S. Steinhardt, Prof. Dr. Tom Roeper, Prof. Dr. Salikoko S. Mufwene, Dr. Lindsay Stern, Prof. Dr. Jeffrey R. Di Leo, Prof. Dr. Albrecht Classen, Dr. Ronald B. Brown, and Dr. Robert Brazeau.

The reports given covered many interesting topics, including the following: AI and data in the humanities; environmental humanities; and humanities, literature, and identity. The talks covered hot topics such as the state of the humanities with the growing prevalence of AI, architecture and urban planning as a tool to understand globalization and exercise habits, the critical role of literature studies in language development, and environmental and health studies.

The second half of the day began with presentations covering the value of the humanities from a philosophical lens, literature and health study to analyze environmental protection, and concluded with an in-depth analysis of the new interconnected approach to human health studies post-pandemic.Dr. Barnaby Crook, Regional Engagement Editor at MDPI, introduced MDPI, market dynamics, and discussed relevant publishing trends in the humanities field. His presentation allowed audience members to gain greater insight into how MDPI’s journals can support researchers whose work falls within this subject and provided transparency regarding MDPI’s practices.

During the day’s proceedings, multiple Q&A sessions were held, allowing valuable engagement between speakers and attendees to occur. During these discussions, attendees could further develop conversations around addressing the influence of culture on human health, the effect of politics on environmental care, the benefits of open access publishing, and more. These sessions were a highlight of the event and helped build a platform for meaningful scientific exchange.

Looking Ahead

The MDPI 2026 Toronto Subject Workshop Crossing Boundaries: Transdisciplinarity in the Humanities was a successful collaboration between MDPI and local academics. We are thankful to all attendees for their part in making this event possible and for contributing to its success.

We have received positive feedback regarding this event and look forward to continuing to host these subject workshops, with the next being the Montreal Subject Workshop “Microelectronics, Microsystems, Sensors, and Their Applications” in September. For more updates regarding this event and other upcoming workshops, follow MDPI Canada on LinkedIn and Facebook.