The following research group descriptions are archived because they are no longer offered, the faculty member is on sabbatical, or the group is taking a break. Please contact the faculty member or an advisor to learn more about these groups.
- Entanglement Methods: Mapping Ethical Relations and Responsibilities with a Local Community Science Program
- Developing mapping tools for community-driven recognition & remediation
Autumn 2022
Entanglement Methods: Mapping Ethical Relations and Responsibilities with a Local Community Science Program
In this DRG, we will explore concepts from “entanglement” theories (Frauenberger 2019) through readings, discussions, and contributing to a community science project. For background, Frauenberger’s Entanglement HCI explores the following four perspectives: “(a) the performative relationship between humans and technology; (b) the re-framing of knowledge generation processes around phenomena; (c) the tracing of accountabilities, responsibilities and ethical encounters; and (d) the practices of design and mattering that move beyond user-centered design” (Frauenberger, 2019).
We will discuss this and related works, applying understandings of entanglement theory to develop a design methodology for mapping entanglements through our engagement with a local community science program, Forest Health Watch (FHW). FHW collects data about declining western redcedar, a critical organism in PNW forests, vulnerable to changes in climate. Throughout the quarter, we will ask: What are the more-than-human relations being created? How is mapping happening now? Along the way we will generate visual design artifacts and key questions about values, methods, and responsibilities to explore further with FHW. We plan to finish the quarter with at least one in-person trip to collect data from the field as community scientists.
We are looking for 3-4 dedicated undergrad or graduate students to participate in this DRG. You should expect to read at least 1 paper and prepare discussion questions before each week’s meeting in order to make the most of DRG activities. No prior experience in these areas is needed. Sessions will be held within a two-hour window on Tuesdays from 3-5pm, although we may not need to meet the entire time so there is more time to work on the readings, designs, analysis, and other aspects of the project.
The DRG will be led by PhD Candidate Michael Beach and advised by Asst. Teaching Professor Kristin Dew. If you have any questions, reach out to Michael at mwb8@uw.edu or on the HCDE Slack.
Spring 2021
Developing mapping tools for community-driven recognition & remediation
Urban communities in the Lower Duwamish River (LDR) have been underserved and overstudied. Legacies of settler-colonialism, industrialization, and redlining have reduced LDR ecosystem function, paved over green space, and contaminated soils and waters, all while erasing Duwamish presence and contributions to the LDR region. For decades, the Duwamish Tribe in particular and its NGO partners have driven accountability and contaminant remediation, while supporting local residents’ connection to this industrialized yet vibrant area.
How might interactive mapping tactics support the recognition of significant Duwamish sites and contributions to Seattle public spaces, particularly along the LDR? How might mapping existing community remediation assets and infrastructure better support the visibility of this work and align remediation resources with community aims?
In this design research DRG we will address these questions by reading, building, documenting, and reflecting on our design process. Specifically we will prototype two related web-based mapping resources while documenting and reflecting on mapping as an interaction design tactic for making existing community expertise, assets, and presence more visible in public recognition and remediation projects. The first will draw on archival texts and other sources to map Duwamish sites across Seattle public spaces with the aim of making visible and recognizing Duwamish presence and contributions to these spaces. The second will chart out research expertise and community science assets across NGOs, activists to support current and future community-based watershed assessment and remediation work in the LDR. Please note these are not technically novel mapping projects (i.e. we will not be creating new kinds of tools), but investigations of mapping as an interaction design technique.