Research centre
Communication and Computing Research Centre

Date
2008

How can we imagine the future? 'Democratising Technology' engaged people who are marginalised by design decisions about digital technologies in choosing how our world might be

In an age of computer networks and growing (but intangible) connectivity between people and things, we offer a series of techniques, suitable for a wide range of groups, which encourage participation, imaginative re-thinking and making connections to help us articulate how we’d like to interact in the future.

Using such techniques, we can involve more people more democratically in the design of our society and choose socially desirable paths for innovation. DemTech produced a series of videoed interviews and demonstrations from a team including computer scientists, performance artists and researchers to show how we worked with groups of older people. It also produced a public exhibition of commissioned artworks, research documentation and a performance lecture.

A DVD is available of the resulting methods and featuring the exhibition and performance.

Website

Please visit the Democratising Technology website to learn more.