Digital technology has opened new opportunities for the development of oral history. Interviews, traditionally a central method in oral history research, can now be developed through podcasts, videos, digital archives, and other digital platforms.
This was highlighted by Mukhamad Shokheh, Ph.D., Coordinator of the History and Master of Historical Studies Programs at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), during a public lecture titled “Oral History in the Digital Era” held by the Undergraduate History Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), on Friday (September 18, 2026).
The lecture was held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the USU Faculty of Cultural Sciences Multipurpose Building and was attended by students of the Undergraduate History Study Program.
In his presentation, Shokheh explained that digital technology does not make oral history less relevant. Instead, technological developments have created new possibilities for recording, processing, preserving, and sharing people’s memories as historical sources.
“Oral history in the digital era does not disappear. It develops through various digital media and platforms,” Shokheh said.
He emphasized that oral history should not be understood merely as the process of recording interviews. It involves collecting, examining, processing, and preserving memories as historical sources.
Digital technology has also enabled oral history materials to be transformed into a variety of historical products, including podcasts, videos, documentaries, digital archives, and virtual exhibitions. These forms can help make historical sources and narratives more accessible to wider audiences.
Shokheh also discussed the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in oral history research, particularly for transcription and data management. However, he stressed that technological tools should be accompanied by critical evaluation and historical analysis.
Students, he said, have an important role in developing digital oral history practices. Their work can include conducting interviews in communities, processing and authenticating transcripts, curating historical materials, and transforming research findings into podcasts, documentaries, virtual exhibitions, and other forms of digital historical narratives.
The participants actively engaged in the discussion through questions and responses. Syifa, a History student at FIB USU, highlighted the importance of maintaining a critical approach when using digital platforms and artificial intelligence in historical research and learning.
The event also strengthened institutional cooperation between USU and UNNES. The cooperation was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of USU and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UNNES.
The partnership was further strengthened through Implementation Arrangements (IA) between the Undergraduate History Study Program at FIB USU and the History Study Program at FISIP UNNES, as well as between the Master of History Study Program at FIB USU and the Master of Historical Studies Program at FISIP UNNES.
The collaboration provides opportunities for further academic cooperation in education, research, and the development of institutional networks.
The public lecture contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, Quality Education, by strengthening learning, digital literacy, and students’ research skills. It also supported SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, through the development of academic collaboration between higher education institutions.
