Workshop proposal can be downloaded by clicking here.
The need for interdisciplinary approaches has become a necessity in Computer Science (CS) research. This is particularly the case with research involving the design and development of technologies that can have a significant impact on the well-being of people who are deemed vulnerable (e.g., those living with stigmatised conditions or identities). However, in most cases, interdisciplinary research collaborations in CS fail to include experts from key areas whose knowledge and perspectives could benefit the end users and make the technology design process more ethical. In response, we propose a workshop bringing together researchers and practitioners from CS and the Social and Health Sciences to discuss the challenges, practices, and lessons learned regarding such interdisciplinary research collaborations in the context of technology design with and for vulnerable groups. The outcomes of the workshop would provide insights on how to conduct this type of research more effectively and ethically.
This will be a half-day workshop from 2 to 6pm (Italy time) on June 17th, 2024 in hybrid mode (in-person and online). It will be led by a group of researchers who have worked with vulnerable groups within the topic of technology design and development. We invite PhD students, researchers, professionals, or practitioners who have worked in interdisciplinary research collaborations involving digital technology with and/or for vulnerable groups. Those interested in being part of the workshop will be required to fill out and submit their expression of interest to join the workshop via an online application form. The form will confirm their expression of interest to be a workshop participant. It will also ask for an abstract of about 200 words where the potential participant will describe their research background and prior experiences in interdisciplinary research (e.g., lessons learned, challenges, etc.) We will also ask participants to share one image with short caption that illustrate an aspect of their work with vulnerable populations, to symbolise a challenge, a snapshot of their practice etc. The form will also gather expectations from the workshop. We will select between 5 - 10 participants participants from different disciplines who work with a variety of populations, methods, and topics.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Finding research collaborators outside Computer Science
Best practices in designing and executing interdisciplinary research with vulnerable groups
Collaborative research plan, design, and execution
Sharing of research outcomes across different disciplines
Privacy and Confidentiality
Ethical Considerations