The politics and aesthetics of participation in HCI
Speaker: John McCarthy – Cork, IrelandTopic(s): Human Computer Interaction
Abstract
In one form or another, participation is deep in the DNA or culture of HCI, from the very earliest pragmatic commitments to have computer users involved (even indirectly) in the design of the systems that they would be expected to use to the more overtly political commitments of approaches such as Participatory Design. Moreover, participation is considered to be a ‘good thing’ in many areas of life e.g. international development, local politics, social media, digital civics, and art. It suggests equality, engagement, and democracy. In some of these areas, the claim that a project is participatory carries with it a political promise to be inclusive, to ensure that all voices are heard and responded to. But participatory projects – in development, regeneration, political decision making, and art – can be tokenistic in fulfilling obligations while ignoring participants’ real concerns.
This presentation discusses a number of participatory HCI projects (e.g. caring for people with dementia, creating space with people who have been domestically abused, belonging in communities and publics) to explore how participation is currently positioned in HCI practice and theory, specifically how they address participants’ concerns. Along the way some underlying assumptions about participation will be questioned: whether participation is an unqualified good; how participants are positioned in participatory projects; how participation is negotiated; the implications of different logics of participation for innovation and creativity. This questioning will encourage a slightly unconventional take on participation that emphasises the politics and aesthetics of engagement better to understand relationships between researchers, designers, and participants.
About this Lecture
Number of Slides: 20Duration: 40 minutes
Languages Available: English
Last Updated:
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