The "Digital Death: Transforming History, Rituals, and Afterlife" symposium (DORS#7) was held from October 3–5, 2024 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. DORS#7 explored not only how we die but also how we "live on” in digital spaces.
Panel discussions delved into a range of topics, including how digital platforms have become new spaces for grief and remembrance, the intricacies of digital legacies, and the ethical questions surrounding posthumous personas designed for communication in reimagined afterlife scenarios.
The symposium raised significant ethical questions, including: Who controls these digital legacies? How should the data we leave behind be regulated? And what societal and environmental impacts might arise?
DORS#7 successfully gathered scholars from diverse disciplines and regions, fostering a truly representative and collaborative academic environment. Beyond its scholarly contributions, DORS#7 was designed to encourage informal networking and collaboration, helping participants form meaningful professional connections and exchange new ideas.
As online spaces continue to expand, the question of what happens to our digital identities after death is becoming increasingly relevant to society. DORS#7 and the Digital Death Project Network have created a platform to rethink death, mourning, and remembrance in the digital age. Whether you are a scholar, student, or practitioner, these symposiums will continue to offer spaces for these essential discussions. We look forward to welcoming all attendees—and many new ones—at the next event!
Read the original, extended, version of this blog on the the Global Politics and Communication website published on October 30, 2024, by Camila Cowley Méndez.