Background

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

Who should participate?

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.

How to participate

Submit an Expression of Interest including the following:

1. 1. 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).

1. 2. 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

1. 2. • • Your research interests

OR

1. 2. • • Methodological approaches

OR

1. 2. • • 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.