Search results

Semantic change, i.e. the evolution of word meanings over time, offers crucial information about historical, cultural and linguistic processes. Language acts as a mirror of societal change, reflecting evolving values, norms and technological advances. Understanding how the meaning of words evolves enables us to trace these transformations and gain a deeper understanding of our distant and recent past.This seminar explores how computational methods are revolutionizing our ability to analyze semantic change in historical texts, addressing a major challenge in the field of digital humanities. While advanced computational methods enable us to analyze vast datasets and uncover previously inaccessible patterns, few natural language processing algorithms fully take into account the dynamic nature of language, particularly semantics, which is essential for research in the humanities. As AI systems develop to better understand the historical context and dynamics of language, human annotation and interpretation remain essential to capture the nuances of language and its cultural context.In this presentation, I will show how computational and human-centered approaches can be effectively combined to examine semantic change and its links to cultural and technological developments. I will present examples illustrating how semantic change can be analyzed across temporal, cultural and textual dimensions."Methods "seminarsThe Methods Seminar is a series of seminars organized at the University of Namur with the aim of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. All seminars take place in a hybrid format.This seminar series focuses on advanced methodological approaches, particularly in the fields of natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI), video and image analysis, and multimodal analysis.To stay informed about details of upcoming seminars, please subscribe to our mailing list below. I subscribe to the "Methods" mailing list

Democratic Transformations - TRANSDEMThese seminars will focus on how current institutional, economic, environmental and migratory tensions are transforming and challenging the way our democratic regimes function.

More info to come."Methods "seminarsThe Methods Seminar is a series of seminars organized at the University of Namur with the aim of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. All seminars take place in a hybrid format.This seminar series focuses on advanced methodological approaches, particularly in the fields of natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI), video and image analysis, and multimodal analysis.To stay informed about details of upcoming seminars, please subscribe to our mailing list below. I subscribe to the "Methods" mailing list

Victimization and identity: the post-heroic society More info to come All TRANSDEM seminars

For the past fifteen years or so, participatory and deliberative democracy mechanisms have been multiplying: participatory budgets, popular consultations, citizens' panels, and so on. Vincent Jacquet, a political scientist and coordinator of the European research project Citizen Impact (ERC project, European Research Council), studies the impact of these devices from the point of view of governors and citizens.

Increasingly demanding workloads, an imbalance between work and personal life, and greater performance scrutiny… the world of work is undergoing profound changes. In this context, how can we enable individuals to remain engaged and find lasting fulfillment in their professional lives? A new ARC research project called “SUSCARE” proposes an innovative solution: placing the concept of care at the heart of organizational practices.

The "Vulnerabilities and Societies" research center brings together members from various UNamur Faculties with the aim of studying the dynamics of vulnerability in our societies.

With its expertise in the field of geology and biodiversity conservation, the UNamur is one of the partners of the new Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park designated by the Walloon Government. Alongside the other actors and promoters of the project, the UNamur will make its knowledge and experience available to enhance and preserve this exceptional natural heritage!

In May 2025, the Department of Physics welcomed two special visitors: Serge Mathot and François Briard from Namur, both alumni of UNamur and members of CERN. Several activities were on the program, ranging from a visit to the particle accelerator, to science popularization and thematic seminars, particularly in heritage sciences. The aim? To identify areas or activities in which UNamur and CERN could strengthen their collaboration.

With the PHOENIX project, UNamur is revisiting a long-standing area of expertise: heritage sciences. Using cutting-edge techniques and artificial intelligence, a transdisciplinary team of experts in history, archaeology, and physics has set out to renew our understanding of heritage objects in order to uncover their origins, methods of production, and uses. Under their scrutiny: ancient coins and medieval parchments. 

At UNamur, parchments are much more than objects of curiosity: they are at the heart of an interdisciplinary scientific adventure. Starting with historical sciences and conservation, the research has gradually incorporated the disciplines of physics, biology, chemistry, and archaeology.  This convergence has given rise to research in heritage sciences, driving innovative projects such as Marine Appart's doctoral work, supervised by Professor Olivier Deparis. This research has now been recognized with a publication in the prestigious journal Heritage Science (Nature Publishing Group).

South America is a subcontinent rich in natural and cultural resources. Between biodiversity preservation and development cooperation, UNamur maintains valuable partnerships to address the challenges of biodiversity loss and understand current socio-economic transformations. Immersion in Ecuador and Peru.