Ethics for the ‘Common Good’: Actionable Guidelines for Community-based Design Research

Abstract

This workshop is themed around the ethics of – potentially disruptive – design research in collaboration with social communities. Disruption may lead to conflict and ‘cultural resistance’ on part of communities, despite the noble intentions of research-practitioners and designers. Ethical design is not a novel concept, but it remains fundamental in the contemporary undertakings of innovative and technology-oriented research. During this workshop, therefore, participants will ideate and develop practical, actionable guidelines for conducting design- and innovation-oriented research with, for and in communities (both virtual and physical). Workshop participants will be invited to consider the philosophical-conceptual questions around ‘ethical, collective design’ in the internet age. Participants will especially be invited to problematise the ethical nature of their practice, and subsequently, to build toward critical, empathetic and more informed practice. The workshop aims to involve design- researchers from various disciplines and who carry out some form of community-based work.