How Participatory Design Works: Mechanisms and Effects

Nicolai Brodersen Hansen, Christian Dindler, Kim Halskov, Ole Sejer Iversen, Claus Bossen, Ditte Amund Basballe, Ben Schouten

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

We argue that the distinguishing features of Participatory Design
are not the participatory activities as such but the mechanisms used,
the effects produced and the way in which these are sustained. We
use program theory to illuminate how participatory design works
and how it may be understood as more than a collection of methods or a matter of configuring user participation. Program theory
operates by formulating the causal relations between the planned
inputs, the process and the effects in terms of output, outcome
and impact. While participatory design might appear similar to
co-design or user-centered design on the level of design activities,
PD differs in terms of the mechanisms employed and how effects
and their sustainment are conceived. Looking at participatory design through the lens of program theory highlights how particular
mechanisms work towards not only the designed product but also
towards generating gains and lasting effects for participants.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOzCHI: Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Proccedings
Publication dateDec 2019
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019
EventAUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON HUMAN-COMPUTER-INTERACTION : Experience Design Across Asia-Pacific - Perth, Fremantle, Australia
Duration: 3 Dec 20195 Dec 2019
Conference number: 31
http://ozchi2019.visemex.org/wp/

Conference

ConferenceAUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON HUMAN-COMPUTER-INTERACTION
Number31
LocationPerth
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityFremantle
Period03/12/201905/12/2019
Internet address

Keywords

  • Participatory design
  • Program theory
  • Mechanism
  • Effect

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