I am now back in UK and it is time to reflect on the first part of the week in Uppsala. The Ethics Roles in Interaction Design in Developing regions workshop was part of wider conference Interact 2009 whose aims were to bring together Researchers and Practitioners to consider issues of Human Computer Interaction.
Our workshop was made up of practitioners and researchers some of whom were Masters degree or PHD students whilst some were University lecturers. Several themes emerged over the course of the two days and were captured as a resource for Researchers to draw upon "before they go"
Whilst some questions remained an answered too. Is there a role for ICT in international development? How do we know this? Are Researchers in this field out there to find answers or to provide solutions to problems and if so whose problems are these anyway?
What is the role of a researcher in such circumstances? What are the things that a Researcher must know before they go? How do Researchers organise access? What is in it for the community and practitioners, sure not merely shiny beads?
An issue that was raised at this workshop that is often overlooked is one of disability in the developing world. Whilst here in the West a lot of work has gone into protecting the rights of people with disabilities, this is not necessarily no in many parts of the developing world. Chui Yin Wong a Malaysian ICT Professor presented a paper on enabling deaf people to access mobile technology you can read it here
Going back to the issue of defining problems Martin Konzett, Martin Tomtisch and Thomas Grechnig, presented a paper on their Research in Zanzibar in which they attempted to enable Seaweed Farmers to earn more for their produce, but failed (for now).
What this Research highlighted in my minds eye is the importance of understing how communities in developing regions are organised. This involves asking questions of what we have observed to be going on as opposed to wading in with a solution,as there is always a reason and often a good one why things are done certain way.
It is of course impossible for Researchers to know everything that there is to know and as well as the consequences of their presence or Research on the communities in the developing regions. Organising access is always a delicate matter, there issues of Culture and Perception and how you over come those.
The Ethical issues involved in Interaction design for the developing regions were very high on the agenda, with the starting position of "DO NO HARM" as an accepted rule of thumb. It was agreed that where ever possible Researchers and Practitioners should avoid reinforcing "IMPERIALISTIC ATTITUDES", seek to foster equitable practices through participatory design
The hard work starts now to continue building a resource that will allow Researchers and Practitioners to learn from each other. Yes you have guessed it the resource is technology based the first of which is a Twitter hash tag #design4dev and a Twitter league, with many more to come, when the rest of the conference draws to a close.
Would be interested in hearing your views on any of the issues raised here
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Human Computer Interaction for development
I am in Uppsala Sweden this week where we are considering how technology can aid development, further details are at https://sites.google.com/a/lkl.ac.uk/idfdr/thee
Some of the emerging themes are
Capacity building, and whose capacity really needs building.
What is the role of a researcher and who determines the agenda of what gets onto the research agenda?
Is it right to give people interactive white boards for class rooms when they can't afford water?
How important is the understanding of the organisation of local communities by those coming in to carry out projects?
Who should broker access to communities and politicians?
Would love to hear your views on some of these
Some of the emerging themes are
Capacity building, and whose capacity really needs building.
What is the role of a researcher and who determines the agenda of what gets onto the research agenda?
Is it right to give people interactive white boards for class rooms when they can't afford water?
How important is the understanding of the organisation of local communities by those coming in to carry out projects?
Who should broker access to communities and politicians?
Would love to hear your views on some of these
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Ethics, Roles and Relationships
By the time you get to read this I will be at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, where I will be presenting a paper on Ethic, Roles and Relationships in Interaction design in developing regions https://sites.google.com/a/lkl.ac.uk/idfdr/papers.
As you can imagine , this is very exciting for me but a great opportunity for me to share my experience and knowledge on a much large platform.
At the centre of this two day workshop, is the need to examine the ethical issues, that may affect the ability to build strong relationships, and design sustainable programmes for the developing region.
My paper will examine issues that NGOs, charities need to bear in mind when designing programmes for the developing regions.
My central message is, before you get started, take time out to understand the needs of the people ( beneficiaries) they are best placed to understand their needs. Be mindful that policies that have worked elsewhere may not necessarily work in your chosen location.
The local chieves, the community at large are important and include them at the outset otherwise you may end up wasting your time and money and worse still maybe denied permision to operate in the area.
What if you build a facility that the lcoals will not use because you failed to consult them, and gave the facility the wrong name? this was the case of someone that called a community centre a lodge, when according to the local community a lodge is a place people go to have sex outside of marriage! Could this have been avoided? Of course, only the people behind th project did not speak to community!
I will keep you psoted on my progress
As you can imagine , this is very exciting for me but a great opportunity for me to share my experience and knowledge on a much large platform.
At the centre of this two day workshop, is the need to examine the ethical issues, that may affect the ability to build strong relationships, and design sustainable programmes for the developing region.
My paper will examine issues that NGOs, charities need to bear in mind when designing programmes for the developing regions.
My central message is, before you get started, take time out to understand the needs of the people ( beneficiaries) they are best placed to understand their needs. Be mindful that policies that have worked elsewhere may not necessarily work in your chosen location.
The local chieves, the community at large are important and include them at the outset otherwise you may end up wasting your time and money and worse still maybe denied permision to operate in the area.
What if you build a facility that the lcoals will not use because you failed to consult them, and gave the facility the wrong name? this was the case of someone that called a community centre a lodge, when according to the local community a lodge is a place people go to have sex outside of marriage! Could this have been avoided? Of course, only the people behind th project did not speak to community!
I will keep you psoted on my progress
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)