sLab Explorations Talk: Participatory Design in an Age of Mistrust

sLab Explorations Talk: Participatory Design in an Age of Mistrust
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - 6:00pm

Participatory Design in an Age of Mistrust

Patrick Feng  Faculty, OCAD U + University of Calgary

 

Design and foresight often employ participatory approaches that presume interaction with users is a good thing. Certainly, these approaches have done much to broaden more traditional expert-driven research methods. Yet, there are many examples where attempts to involve users becomes problematic and even counter-productive. For instance, inviting public input on how to “best design" an oil pipeline is bound to be contentious, especially when some people are staunchly opposed to any pipeline construction. Thus, even as participatory approaches gain favour with designers, policymakers, and others, there remains the thorny question of whether and how to engage various publics – particularly when some segments of the public are skeptical or downright hostile to the design objective.

This talk will explore when participatory methods work and when they are likely to fail. Drawing on insights from participatory design, science and technology studies, and related fields, I argue the effectiveness of participatory approaches is contingent on groups sharing a set of political and epistemological commitments – commitments that have been destabilized as mistrust of public institutions has grown. As a result, participatory research methods may backfire when used in certain contexts (e.g., controversies with low trust and high stakes). I will explore those contexts and consider how participatory approaches might be adapted in the face of untrusting publics.

Bio

Patrick Feng has been working in the field of science, technology, and society for over 15 years. His research examines the social, legal, and ethical dimensions of emerging technologies, with a focus on policy, governance, and public engagement. A two-time Fulbright award recipient, Patrick has led projects in number of areas including health, energy, and digital technologies. His areas of expertise include science and technology studies, innovation policy, foresight, and science communications. 

Patrick’s current SSHRC-funded project examines how notions of “sustainability” are being defined, measured, and communicated to the public. He is active in initiatives that promote public engagement with science and is especially interested in how citizens can participate and be better represented in decision-making on science and technology-related issues. He currently teaches in the SFI Program and is adjunct professor at the University of Calgary.

Venue & Address: 
sLab, suite 410, 205 Richmond West
Email: 
gallen@ocadu.ca

SFI student Kazi Monirul Kabir wins World Brand Congress Award

Portrait of Kazi Monirul Kabir.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 3:45pm

Incoming Strategic Foresight & Innovation (SFI) MDes student ​​ Kazi Monirul Kabir has been awarded the prestigious Brand Leadership Award from the World Brand Congress, held in Singapore this summer. The Congress is a meeting place for the world's branding and marketing elite, where top executives from the world’s biggest brand discuss critical marketing challenges. This year’s theme was “Brands that Last: the Role of Sustainability in Innovative Branding.”

Kabir, who hails from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was recognized for his innovative approach and social awareness in branding and communication over his career. Kabir works at evangelizing Google in Bangladesh, which includes working with the government, tech communities and businesses in building the digital ecosystem that is redefining, inspiring and revolutionizing the commercial and social landscape of the country.