Digital technologies increasingly shape our understanding, observation, and engagement with the natural world. This workshop brings together HCI researchers and practitioners to explore how digital technologies shape our engagement with nature. Participants will discuss emerging opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations in designing technologies for human-nature interactions.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Meaningful roles for technology in enhancing visits to nature
Designing to encourage children's connection with nature
Children’s participation in how we image and design technologies for nature engagement
Communicating more-than-human thinking and ethics of care through technology
Considerations for ethics and practical applications of more-than-human design principles
Designing for different agendas in nature (e.g., well-being, relaxation, gardening, learning, exploration, and play)
Indigenous perspectives on nature engagement and connecting to culture
Evaluating technology’s impact on nature connection
We invite HCI researchers and practitioners from academia, industry (e.g., tourism), and public nature organizations (e.g., city councils, environmental education providers, parks services) to share insights and research.
The workshop welcomes those involved in user research, design and prototyping, technology integration, and evaluation.
*Workshop program and outdoor activity times are changeable subject to weather conditions.
9.00 am: Workshop opening
9.30 am: UQ Lakes Tour
12.45 pm: Lunch
1.45 pm: Speculative design activities
3.05 pm: Afternoon Tea
3.30 pm: Reflective discussions
Edited by Sara Heitlinger, Marcus Foth and Rachel Clarke
(Includes networking opportunities + Light catering & drinks courtesy of the QUT More-than-Human-Futures group)
*This is a separate event and requires an additional RSVP - No extra cost.
Submit an Expression of Interest including the following:
Participant bio including current areas of interest/expertise and relevance of current work to one or more of the topics of interest of the workshop (maximum 300 words).
A text/audio/video submission that outlines your interest in nature and technology. This could include for example,
A specific challenge or technology you are exploring or curious about - ideally overlapping with the Workshop's topics of interests above.
OR
Your research interests
OR
Methodological approaches
OR
Lens for thinking about technology and nature engagement
Text submissions should be a maximum of 1500 words. Audio and video submissions should be limited to a duration of 3-5 minutes.
Piumi Perera: School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Shannon Rodgers: Digital Wellbeing Lab, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Nicola J. Bidwell: Rhodes University, South Africa | Faculty of Science and Technology, Charles Darwin University, Australia
Sarah Webber: School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Kellie Vella: Digital Wellbeing Lab, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Huiwen Zhang: School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Bronwyn Cumbo: Transdisciplinary School, University of Technology Sydney | Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University, Australia
For queries and information please contact Piumi Perera (piumi.perera1@unimelb.edu.au)