AustLit

'One of our ambitions as editors for Australian Historical Studieshas been to explore and highlight Australia in the world, including its myriad transnational and international connections. Accordingly, this issue showcases a Forum on ‘Big Data and Australian History’, which reveals the ways that digital data is radically reshaping historical research, and serves to locate Australian history within its networked transnational and global developments. The dynamic convergence of the digital humanities, the transnational turn and the new imperialism have come together in various ways in this Forum. We are deeply grateful to Hamish Maxwell-Stewart who, as the Forum’s commissioned guest editor, has introduced and brought together important articles that examine how big data has enabled new historical practices and interpretations of Australian history in relation to empire, slavery, labour, the convict system, war, population, health, and the law. Editorial Assistant Annalisa Giudici has also provided superb editorial support, including the organisation of many graphs and tables.' (Introduction)