2025

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  Mouratidis, M., Rosa Cardoso, C., Engelbutzeder, P., Tolmie, P., Aal, K. K. & Wulf, V. (2025)Designing for Resilience: Fostering Ponds of Stability with Computer Clubs in Palestine

  Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. New York, NY, USA, Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery, Pages: 1–18 doi:10.1145/3706598.3713253
  [BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]

  Addressing the complexities of conflict-affected regions remains a critical challenge for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). This paper examines the establishment of computer clubs in Palestinian refugee camps, where efforts to create sustainable interventions weighed against the instability of prolonged conflict. To capture this dynamic, we introduce the notion of ‘adaptive ponds of stability,’ which extends the ‘tech public of erosion’ framework [12]. While the latter emphasizes systemic depletion of socio-technical infrastructures, adaptive ponds of stability highlight efforts to foster temporary spaces of resilience. The clubs became hubs of learning, respite, and collaboration—offering moments of routine and empowerment amidst disruption. Reflecting on this, we advocate for a paradigm shift from sustainability to resilience as the primary design goal in unstable contexts. Our findings emphasize adaptability, local agency, and cultural sensitivity that respond dynamically to context-specific challenges, offering a nuanced approach to advancing HCI interventions in conflict-affected settings.

  @inproceedings{mouratidis_designing_2025,
  address = {New York, NY, USA},
  series = {{CHI} '25},
  title = {Designing for {Resilience}: {Fostering} {Ponds} of {Stability} with {Computer} {Clubs} in {Palestine}},
  isbn = {9798400713941},
  shorttitle = {Designing for {Resilience}},
  url = {https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3706598.3713253},
  doi = {10.1145/3706598.3713253},
  abstract = {Addressing the complexities of conflict-affected regions remains a critical challenge for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). This paper examines the establishment of computer clubs in Palestinian refugee camps, where efforts to create sustainable interventions weighed against the instability of prolonged conflict. To capture this dynamic, we introduce the notion of ‘adaptive ponds of stability,’ which extends the ‘tech public of erosion’ framework [12]. While the latter emphasizes systemic depletion of socio-technical infrastructures, adaptive ponds of stability highlight efforts to foster temporary spaces of resilience. The clubs became hubs of learning, respite, and collaboration—offering moments of routine and empowerment amidst disruption. Reflecting on this, we advocate for a paradigm shift from sustainability to resilience as the primary design goal in unstable contexts. Our findings emphasize adaptability, local agency, and cultural sensitivity that respond dynamically to context-specific challenges, offering a nuanced approach to advancing HCI interventions in conflict-affected settings.},
  urldate = {2025-04-28},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2025 {CHI} {Conference} on {Human} {Factors} in {Computing} {Systems}},
  publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  author = {Mouratidis, Marios and Rosa Cardoso, Clara and Engelbutzeder, Philip and Tolmie, Peter and Aal, Konstantin Kosta and Wulf, Volker},
  month = apr,
  year = {2025},
  pages = {1--18},
  }

2024

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  Rosa Cardoso, C., Rüller, S., Henriques, A. O., Carter, A. R. L. & Rohde, M. (2024)„And this is where we fu***d up!“ Lessons learned from Participatory Design in Digital Civic Initiatives

  Adjunct Proceedings of the 2024 Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction. New York, NY, USA, Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery, Pages: 1–3 doi:10.1145/3677045.3685450
  [BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]

  Participatory design in digital civics aims to foster mutual learning and co-creation between public services and citizens. However, rarely do we collectively explore the challenges and failures we experience within PD and digital civics, to enable us to grow as a community. This workshop explores real-world experiences that had to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Through case presentations and thematic group discussions, participants will reflect on how failure is defined and for whom, the challenges faced, causes that led to these challenges, and work collaboratively to develop effective solutions. Furthermore, we aim to discuss the well-being impact on researchers and communities when faced with these obstacles, the strategies participants use to overcome them, and how these insights can be fed back into the digital civics community. By fostering reflection amid diverse perspectives, with an emphasis on how the HCI community might learn from varying definitions of failure, the workshop seeks to promote dialogue and collective learning. This approach is intended to offer participants valuable insights for navigating complexities more effectively and fostering resilient design practices in digital civics.

  @inproceedings{rosa_cardoso_and_2024,
  address = {New York, NY, USA},
  series = {{NordiCHI} '24 {Adjunct}},
  title = {"{And} this is where we fu***d up!" {Lessons} learned from {Participatory} {Design} in {Digital} {Civic} {Initiatives}},
  isbn = {9798400709654},
  url = {https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677045.3685450},
  doi = {10.1145/3677045.3685450},
  abstract = {Participatory design in digital civics aims to foster mutual learning and co-creation between public services and citizens. However, rarely do we collectively explore the challenges and failures we experience within PD and digital civics, to enable us to grow as a community. This workshop explores real-world experiences that had to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Through case presentations and thematic group discussions, participants will reflect on how failure is defined and for whom, the challenges faced, causes that led to these challenges, and work collaboratively to develop effective solutions. Furthermore, we aim to discuss the well-being impact on researchers and communities when faced with these obstacles, the strategies participants use to overcome them, and how these insights can be fed back into the digital civics community. By fostering reflection amid diverse perspectives, with an emphasis on how the HCI community might learn from varying definitions of failure, the workshop seeks to promote dialogue and collective learning. This approach is intended to offer participants valuable insights for navigating complexities more effectively and fostering resilient design practices in digital civics.},
  urldate = {2025-05-19},
  booktitle = {Adjunct {Proceedings} of the 2024 {Nordic} {Conference} on {Human}-{Computer} {Interaction}},
  publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
  author = {Rosa Cardoso, Clara and Rüller, Sarah and Henriques, Ana O and Carter, Anna R. L. and Rohde, Markus},
  month = oct,
  year = {2024},
  pages = {1--3},
  }