Umeå universitets logga

This paper proposes a posthuman perspective of the robomorphism theory. We propose to define robomorphism as the attribution of robotlike traits to non-robotic entities. Such a definition embraces the centrality of robots in two aspects. First, by assuming the target of robomorphism is not necessarily a human. Second, by considering the notion of robomorphic traits as inherently crucial to establish the robomorphism paradigm. Embracing robots as relevant non-humans in the robomorphism paradigm constitutes the more-than-human perspective of the proposed approach. The contributions of this paper are threefold. First, we propose the robomorphism paradigm by defining it and its inherent concepts, such as robomorphisation and robomorphic. Second, we discuss the broader implications of the robomorphism theory to the research community of Human-Robot Interaction, raising important new challenges. Third, we created a preliminary inventory of robomorphic traits, which were collected from a speculative workshop activity in order to start answering one of the proposed open challenges.

Storytelling is a frequently used approach to design. Stories and storytelling also have a role in mediating information and contributing to people’s understanding of the world around them. Previous research suggests that storytelling can be empowering to marginalized and diverse communities, such as Indigenous peoples, by offering a platform to voice their (hi)stories. In this paper, we present a research through design project in which we explore the design of the living archive. This is a web-based digital archive that encourages a user-based approach to restorying the past by focusing on storytelling for empowerment and involving members of Indigenous People, the Sami. We demonstrate how a digital archive can contribute to (re)storying the past in a manner that preserves Indigenous ways of knowing and ethical archiving of social memory. Through this archive, we provide the digital tools for the communities to take on the role to tell their truth and, in doing so, become central in the design and communication of their own stories. In short, design for storytelling to empower those who need a voice.

Privacy is a fundamental human right in the digital age. With the proliferation of intimate health technologies, such as data-driven apps and connected devices that track bodily care and sensitive topics, privacy is increasingly critical. In this paper, we explore the complexity of intimate data and user perspectives and the choices they make to protect themselves. We introduce a story completion study with 27 participants to examine individuals’ concerns about data privacy, their protective or avoidant actions, and the potential mismatches between privacy concerns and actual behaviors. We suggest future research that combines User-Tailored Privacy (UTP) and participatory threat modeling to create privacy solutions that account for users’ needs and the potential risks and harms associated with the use of their data.

As technology and social media develop and expand, technology-facilitated sex trafficking becomes increasingly difficult to take action against and prevent. Technology-facilitated sex trafficking implies the use of digital tools such as social media platforms to coordinate trafficking and (mis)lead persons into sexual exploitation, e.g., commercial sex. To address and prevent sex trafficking as it expands through technology, legal frameworks can both help and interfere with the work provided by aid organizations and authorities. We present an expert interview study with six professionals from authorities, women shelters and NGO organizations working alongside the Swedish (governance) Model. Our findings show that digital technology is useful yet heavily challenging for anti-trafficking organizations and authorities in their fight against sex trafficking, exploitation, and digital child abuse. More resources and tools are needed to mitigate the (mis)use of technology and prevent abuse. To do this, we discuss the need to recontextualize efforts against trafficking within the structural conditions and legal model of Swedish society that facilitate exploitation. Furthermore, we propose a series of risk-mitigating approaches which centers four questions for the HCI community working towards anti-trafficking efforts.

The digitalization of the reproductive body has engaged myriads of cutting-edge technologies in supporting people to know and tackle their intimate health. Generally understood as female technologies (aka female-oriented technologies or ‘FemTech’), these products and systems collect a wide range of intimate data which are processed, transferred, saved and shared with other parties. In this paper, we explore how the “data-hungry" nature of this industry and the lack of proper safeguarding mechanisms, standards, and regulations for vulnerable data can lead to complex harms or faint agentic potential. We adopted mixed methods in exploring users’ understanding of the security and privacy (SP) of these technologies. Our findings show that while users can speculate the range of harms and risks associated with these technologies, they are not equipped and provided with the technological skills to protect themselves against such risks. We discuss a number of approaches, including participatory threat modelling and SP by design, in the context of this work and conclude that such approaches are critical to protect users in these sensitive systems. 

The importance of providing mechanisms and tools that effectively support the transition from implicit to explicit representations of Learning Design has been emphasised by previous research in the field of Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL). In addition, the benefits of Game-based learning approaches have been long documented in the educational research literature. The paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a card game that aims to support the design process of TEL activities in higher education. The game was tested by a group of 36 students and tutors (n = 36) in higher education during an interactive workshop. Feedback was asked by the participants using an anonymous survey. The results reveal that the participants a) are satisfied with the game process, b) appreciate the groupwork and interaction taking place, and c) believe that they used their communication and collaboration skills. The paper includes the description of the outputs of a group (i.e., the cards selected for their TEL scenario and their actual TEL scenario) to exemplify that it is possible to use the game in order to elicit or diagnose existing LD knowledge from the game participants. The paper concludes on the usefulness of the approach suggested, limitations, and plans for future work.

The digitalisation of the reproductive body has seen a myriad of cutting-edge technologies to prioritise neglected intimate health and care topics, such as fertility and contraception. The impact of these intimate data on livelihood and society is pervasive including that privacy is critical to safeguarding security as this increasing digitalisation also produces increasingly large datasets. In this paper, we enquire the collective nature of privacy in female-oriented technologies (FemTech) to show how this ever-extending collection of data implicates many beyond the individual. We introduce a pilot study on the data collection practices of a subset of FemTech devices with fertility tracking service. We demonstrate that data is collected about the user and others, such as their immediate relationships and user groups as a whole. We suggest that it is critical we ask who is vulnerable and discuss approaches to mitigate collective harm.

Female-oriented technologies (FemTech) promise to enable women to take control of their bodies and lives, helping them overcome the many existing challenges in medical care and research. From lack of data about women in general, to bias and discrimination in health studies, data sets, and algorithms, FemTech has come a long way to centre women in the design and development of such systems. Yet, the FemTech industry remains largely unregulated, particularly when it comes to security, privacy, and safety. These issues can lead to catastrophe given the highly sensitive nature of the data FemTech technologies handle. In this paper, we show how such threats are already putting women at risk; where in some cases, the lack of proper security and privacy safeguards can put human life at risk. We also present the results of some of our ongoing research on the massive data collection of FemTech about end-users and others (baby, partner, family, etc.). We set an agenda for research on the security and privacy of FemTech and call for a better legal framework to regulate FemTech.

Fertility tracking applications are technologies that collect sensitive information about their users i.e. reproductive potential. For many, these apps are an affordable solution when trying to conceive or managing their pregnancy. However, intimate data are not only collected but also shared beyond users knowledge or consent. In this paper, we explore the privacy risks that can originate from the mismanagement, misuse, and misappropriation of intimate data, which are entwined in individual life events and in public health issues such as abortion and (in)fertility. We look at differential vulnerabilities to enquire data’s vulnerability and that of ‘data subjects’. We introduce the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and how it addresses fertility data. We evaluate the privacy of 30 top ‘fertility apps’ through their privacy notices and tracking practices. Lastly, we discuss the regulations and fertility data as critical to the future design of tracking technologies and privacy rights.