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Design of Information Systems (DESIGN)

The research group Design of Information Systems focuses on design for democracy. Our research concerns users' experiences with information technologies. Our research aims to show how knowledge about use and users gives a basis for design of (better) technological solutions that can strengthen the autonomy and space for action of the users. Our research therefore also includes design and how designers can facilitate for users' participation in the design work.

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The research group Design of information systems - Design for short - carries out research on how information systems are constructed and used, focusing on the interaction between the technology and its users. Information systems influence how we do things, both as individuals and as a society. Understanding and describing how IT is used in practice gives a good basis for designing IT solutions that are good for the users, in the short as well as the long term. Introduction of new technical solutions can fundamentally change the ways in which institutions and organizations in our society work, cooperate, and communicate with their clients and users. Knowing the effects an IT solution on individuals and society gives a good basis for designing different and better IT solutions.

The Design group continues a long tradition at the department with a focus on user participation in design. By establishing a collaboration with the users they get the chance to participate in designing new ways of doing things at the same time as the new tools that support the new ways are designed. New technical possibilities can provide a basis for innovation and improvement of the users' work (or other activities), and the users can suggest new ways of doing things that require new types of technical support.

The particular competence of the Design group is concerned with identifying users' needs and "translating" these into useful IT systems, in cooperation with the users. Our most important research results are new and improved methods and theories in use-oriented participatory design. In our design experiments we develop prototypes that can demonstrate how user participation can result in alternative technical solutions.

The Design group is positioned within the research fields Participatory Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Computer Supported Cooperative Work, and Information Systems. Over the last years our research has focused on use of technologies in the home, in particular within health care and public services. Within these areas we find variety of information technologies, e.g., Internet, mobile devices (like phones, tablets), sensor technologies and robots, and many different interaction mechanisms, including (multi) touch screens, embedded and movement-based control (sensors), and physical, tangible interfaces. The Design group is interdisciplinary and combine disciplinary traditions within informatics, social sciences, humaniora / cultural sciences, law, and art both as a group and as individual researchers.

 

Published Nov. 24, 2010 1:04 PM - Last modified Nov. 6, 2023 11:06 AM