Mark Sample

Dr. Mark Sample is a distinguished Associate Professor of Digital Studies at Davidson College, where he is spearheading the development of the innovative Digital Studies program. His multifaceted career spans literary scholarship, digital humanities, and creative computing. Sample's research and teaching focus on experimental literature, new media, and algorithmic culture, bridging traditional humanities with cutting-edge digital practices. His scholarly contributions include a groundbreaking examination of torture representation in videogames published in Game Studies, and a critical analysis of digital humanities' approach to contemporary literature featured in Debates in the Digital Humanities. Sample's collaborative work on "10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10," a book exploring creative computing and the Commodore 64, showcases his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. As a practitioner, Sample creates digital poems and algorithmically-generated Twitter bots, exemplifying his hands-on approach to digital creativity. His work at Davidson College involves building the Digital Studies program, which investigates the role of digital creativity, culture, and methodology in contemporary life, positioning him at the forefront of integrating digital scholarship into liberal arts education.