Ethical Awareness

Method : The method involves a multi-step approach for organizing and advocating within tech companies. It starts with internal communication and community building, leveraging employee resource groups or trusted colleagues to share concerns and knowledge safely using encrypted messaging platforms like Signal, Telegram, or Slack. This stage emphasizes creating safe spaces and ensuring marginalized voices are heard. If necessary, the method escalates to more public forms of advocacy, including calling out leadership in high visibility events, petitioning with clear demands signed by a community of allies, leaking information to journalists to pressure leadership, and, if needed, organizing walkouts to send a powerful message. The final escalation point is unionization, forming or joining labor unions to gain a collective bargaining power against the company for better rights and protections against retaliation.
Time Effort: 1h
When: The process begins as soon as employees identify issues within their company that affect justice, equity, and ethical practices. It progresses from internal discussions to public advocacy and potential unionization as the situation demands and as it becomes clear that more direct action is necessary to achieve meaningful change.
Topic: The tools and methods described are applicable to a wide range of topics within the tech industry, including but not limited to inclusion, combating dark patterns (deceptive practices in software design), and addressing gender disparities. These strategies are aimed at fostering a more just, equitable, and ethical workplace and industry.
Outcome: The intended outcome of using these tools and methods is to bring about significant change within the company and the wider tech industry. This includes achieving greater inclusion and diversity, the implementation of ethical practices, and the elimination of discriminatory or exploitative behaviors. Users can expect an evaluation of current practices, followed by concrete suggestions for change and, ideally, the implementation of these changes to create a fairer and more ethical working environment.
Suitable for: These tools and methods are suitable for a wide array of products and services within the tech industry. Whether it's software development, digital platforms, e-commerce, or cloud services, the approach can be adapted to fit the specific context and challenges associated with any tech product or service.
Who: The primary users of these tools and methods are the employees within tech companies, including both designers and developers who are directly involved in creating products and services. However, the benefits extend to all stakeholders, including end-users of the products, by fostering environments that prioritize ethical standards, inclusion, and fair labor practices.

Method : Kat Zhou developed an ethical design framework, which she introduced and applied through keynotes and workshops. Her method involves direct engagement with product teams across various settings, including universities, tech, and design conferences, and companies. The approach is collaborative, where participants apply the Design Ethically framework through speculation, brainstorming, and hands-on activities.
Time Effort: 1 h
When: The ethical design framework and its application were discussed and implemented during keynotes and workshops on June 28, 2022, at UX London, and on multiple other occasions worldwide. The process involves initial education through the keynote, followed by practical application and collaboration during the workshops.
Topic: The tool, or rather the framework developed by Kat Zhou, focuses on ethical design in product development. It addresses the rise of manipulative design patterns, also known as "dark patterns," and aims to scale the tech ethics movement. While the specific mention of inclusion and gender is not provided, the ethical framework likely encompasses these aspects by advocating for ethical considerations in design, potentially including inclusivity and gender-aware design principles.
Outcome: Participants of the workshops and audiences of the keynotes receive an understanding of ethical design principles, awareness of manipulative design patterns, and tools to apply ethical frameworks within their teams. The outcome includes the ability to evaluate existing designs critically and to implement suggestions for change towards more ethical practices in product development.
Suitable for: The ethical design framework is suitable for a wide range of products and services in the tech industry. Given the broad application of the workshops and keynotes across universities, tech and design conferences, and companies, the framework is adaptable to various contexts, including digital applications, websites, and technology services that product teams work on.
Who: The primary audience for Kat Zhou's ethical design framework includes designers, product managers, engineers, researchers, and essentially anyone involved in a product team. The framework is designed to benefit these stakeholders by providing them with tools and methodologies to incorporate ethical considerations into their work, ultimately benefiting the end-users of the products and services through more ethical and user-centric design practices.

Method : The method involves curating a comprehensive list of books across three critical areas: Tech Ethics, Societal Inequality, and Design Ethics. Each selection offers insights into the complex interplay between technology, society, and design, addressing the ethical challenges and inequalities perpetuated by current systems. The books range from theoretical explorations and critical analyses to practical guides and autobiographical accounts, providing a multifaceted approach to understanding and addressing ethical issues in tech, societal inequalities, and design practices.
Time Effort: self chosen
When: The reading of these books can be integrated at various points in the process of education, research, and application within fields related to technology, sociology, and design. They serve as foundational texts for individuals beginning their journey into these topics, as well as advanced resources for those looking to deepen their understanding or apply ethical considerations to their work.
Topic: The topics covered by the recommended books include a broad spectrum of issues such as the reinforcement of racism through algorithms, the ethical implications of AI systems, the political and ideological aspects of artificial intelligence, data bias against women and minorities, the surveillance of marginalized communities, and the role of design in addressing or exacerbating societal inequities. These works explore themes of inclusion, dark patterns in technology design, gender bias, and the broader societal and ethical consequences of technological and design decisions.
Outcome: The outcome for the reader includes an enhanced understanding of the ethical, societal, and design-related challenges currently faced. Readers are equipped with critical perspectives, evaluation tools, and actionable suggestions for change. These resources aim to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and ethically responsible approach in technology development, design practices, and societal governance.
Suitable for: The insights and frameworks provided by these books are suitable for a wide range of products and services, particularly those involved in technology development, design, and deployment. This includes digital platforms, AI and machine learning systems, social media, urban planning, and any service that implicates user data, privacy, and ethical considerations.
Who: The recommended readings are for a diverse audience including technologists, designers, product managers, policymakers, educators, students, and activists. These books are intended for anyone interested in the ethical implications of technology and design, those working to combat societal inequalities, and individuals seeking to implement inclusive and equitable practices within their work and communities.