Designing Human Technologies 10.0


Trento, Italy, 28-30 May 2024



About

DHT 10.0 is the 10th doctoral summer school course offered to PhD-students working with, or having an interest in, Participatory Design, that is, PhD-projects conducted in close collaboration with users, citizens, or other external stakeholders. The doctoral course is a great opportunity for PhD students to discuss their PhD project with peers and senior academic staff and gather feedback on any improvement for their research. We meet to discuss our experiences in relation to doctoral work in the rich and diverse field of Participatory Design and of designing human technologies. The course is a blend of lectures and discussions in small groups. Invited lectures by senior academic staff present key theories, methodological reflections and novel approaches within the field. 

The course takes place from May 28 to 30, 2024 in Trento, Italy. It is organized by University of Trento in collaboration with Tallinn University, University of Roskilde, Reykjavik University, University of Oulu and University of Bolzano. Meals, shared rooms, and local logistics will be provided for up to 20 participants to the doctoral course.

Topic

Designing Human Technologies is a broad Participatory design-oriented research approach with a central human principle of participation and ethical concerns. Common goals of research activities in this field include being constructive and solution-oriented in close dialogue with citizens and users. Deep analysis of how designs are used and enter the daily life of their users as well as innovative design solutions are the core of this course. The human principle includes involving users and main interest groups in the design and evaluation of the ability of design artefacts to meet the goals. Technology is understood in a broad sense including information and communication technologies, sustainable environmental technologies, energy technologies, and technologies for design in urban, nature, or other spatial settings.

Prerequisite

In order to participate to DHT 10.0, interested students are expected to complete an application form by April 5th (https://forms.gle/SDsGJkHk31d4CPfN6). 

Once the application is accepted, the student has to submit a Position Paper following a template (available soon).  The template requires: clear definition of research questions, methodological reflections, theories, relation to Participatory Design, and/or preliminary research outcomes (maximum 7 pages).

To complete the Position Paper, the student must read at least the Introduction and a Chapter of their choice from the Participatory Design Handbook (link). The template includes a section for the student to reflect on how the chosen chosen Handbook Chapters may inspire their own PhD project. 

Purpose and format

Small group activities will take place in groups of five doctoral students and two faculty members, discussing the Position Papers of the students. The group will dedicate one hour to each Position Paper: divided into 10 minutes of informal presentation and 50 minutes of discussion. Students will present each other’s papers, not their own. 

In addition, the course provides opportunities for networking with other doctoral students and senior faculty in the field of designing human technologies, thereby enriching relations among those who also attended last year’s editions and providing an entry point for those who did not. 

Students must read and prepare comments for all position papers in their group. To promote a rich and useful discussion, students are also invited to read the position papers of their peers before summer school.

The course gives a credit of 3 ECTS.

Venue

The course takes place close to Trento, Italy. The exact location of the venue and related information will be provided to the participants. 

Please note that accommodation is basic: internet facilities are poor, students sleep in small groups, and that self-service is required including cleaning at the end of the course.

We expect to start the Program at 9AM on May 28 and to end around 4PM on May 30. Accommodation on the 27 and on the 30 is also provided. 

If you fly into Bergamo/Orio al Serio airport you may want to check buses from there to Trento. If you fly into Malpensa airport you may choose a train connection to Trento via Milano train station. If fly into Verona (the closest airport), Venice, or Bologna there are shuttle buses to local train stations and then easy train connections to Trento.

Please refer to this page for information on how to reach Trento: https://international.unitn.it/incoming/how-to-arrive-to-trento

Important dates

Application deadline: April 5, 2024

Applications are to be submitted online. The application form consists of your contact data, short description of your research topic, a short explanation of your motivation for participating in the course, and the connection of your PhD with Participatory Design. Priority will be given to PhD students belonging to the organizing universities as well as PhD students who have been participating to an earlier DHT edition.
Link to the application form: https://forms.gle/SDsGJkHk31d4CPfN6

Notification of admission: April 10, 2024

Notifications will be sent by email, and, if accepted, you’ll be given the full programme and further instructions. Up to 20 PhD students will be admitted to the course.

Position paper submission deadline: May 10, 2024

All participants are expected to submit a position paper (up to 6 pages maximum) elaborating on their research problem, research questions, theories, methods and a selection of achieved and/or expected outcomes. 

Fees

Registration, accommodation, and meals during the doctoral course are covered by the University of Trento. Participants must arrange and pay for their own travel to Trento.

Organizers

Faculty

Antonella De Angeli, University of Bolzano
David Lamas, Tallinn University
Jesper Simonsen, Roskilde University
Marianne Kinnula, University of Oulu
Marta Kristín Lárusdóttir, Reykjavik University
Mela Bettega, NOVA University of Lisbon
Mika Yasuoka Jensen, Roskilde University
Vincenzo D’Andrea, University of Trento
(more to be announced)

Contacts

If you require any further information, feel free to contact: vincenzo.dandrea+DHT@unitn.it

Previous editions