From Materials to Materiality:
Connecting Practice and Theory in HCI

Workshop at the 2012 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) conference

Austin, Texas, USA

Call for Participation PDF

Key dates

Submission deadline: February 1, 2012

Acceptance notification: February 20, 2012

Workshop day: Sunday, May 6, 2012

Workshop Overview

Over the past decade, HCI has taken an increasing interest in matters of material. Concepts of material have been developed theoretically, drawing on social theory, design theory and the philosophy of technology. The goal of this one-day CHI Materials to Materiality workshop is to discuss how we might acquire a deeper conceptual understanding of materiality in HCI. What role does the concept of materiality play in taking into account the interoperability, modularity, access and use of information technology? When we consider digital information as (im)material, what is lost and what is gained? Workshop participants will jointly consider what HCI can learn from, and contribute to, an engagement with material studies in theorizing digital culture, in developing digital media and information technologies (IT), and in framing and interpreting their historical, political and social contexts of assembly and use. Our investigation will provide a forum for participants and organizers to develop a shared language around questions of digital materiality.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Ways of describing digital material

• Rhetoric of digital immateriality

• Affordances

• Material properties of digital representation

• Craft, handiwork and interaction design

• Sustainability and material practices

• Digital materiality and longevity

• Political, historical, and social contexts of material practice

• Materials of information and organizational practice

To participate, please submit one of the following by February 1, 2012 to daniela.rosner@gmail.com:

1) a 800-1000 word position paper that describes a key concern for HCI regarding digital material or materialities and how you envision addressing it.

2) a URL linking to digital documentation of an artifact, tool or service that offers a particular view on material engagements and a short explanation of how this work relates to the workshop and what questions, opportunities, or challenges it raises.

Submissions will be accepted based on originality, quality and how well they represent a range of disciplinary perspectives.

For any questions, contact Daniela Rosner.

We look forward to your contribution!