Login
       
  • Design and Deploying Tools to ‘Actively Engaging Nature’

Phillips, Robert, Abbas-Nazari, Amina, Tooze, Robert, Gaver, W, Boucher, Andy, Orville, Liliana, Sheen, Andy, Brown, Dean, Matsuda, Naho and Vanis, Mike, 2019, Conference or Workshop, Design and Deploying Tools to ‘Actively Engaging Nature’ at HCI International 2019, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA, 6-31 July 2019.

Abstract or Description:

'Shifting Baseline Syndrome’ is highly apparent in the context of generational shifts in work and life patterns that reduce interaction with and knowledge of the natural world, and therefore expectations of it. This is exacerbated by changes in the natural world itself due to climate change, biodiversity decline and a range of anthropogenic factors. Distributed and accessible technologies, and grass roots approaches provide fresh opportunities for interactions, which enable active engagement in ecological scenarios. The MyNatureWatch project uses digital devices to collect visual content about UK wildlife, promoting ‘active engagements with nature’. The project embodies Inclusive Design in the Digital Age, as the activity; engages a wide demographic community, can be used by all, provided user led agency and produced methodological design lessons.

The article frames MyNaturewatch as an agent for active designed engagements with nature. The research objective is to comprehend ‘how to design tools for positive nature engagement’ holding value for; 1) academic communities as validated methodologies 2) the public through access to enabling technologies, content and knowledge 3) industry in the form of new; experiences, engagements and commerce. The approach is specifically designed to yield insights from a multitude of engagements, through the deployment of accessible, low-cost products. Project reporting documents the benefits, pitfalls and opportunities in the aforementioned engagement uncovered through design-led approaches. Insights are gathered from public/community facing work- shops, wildlife experts, ecologists, economists, educators and wildlife NGO’s. The engagement methodologies are compared highlighting which initiative yielded ‘Active Engagement with Nature’.

Official URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-...
Subjects: Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W240 Industrial/Product Design
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W280 Interactive and Electronic Design
School or Centre: School of Design
Funders: EPSRC
Identification Number or DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22012-9_37
Date Deposited: 20 Mar 2019 14:11
Last Modified: 27 Apr 2020 14:09
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/3860
Edit Item (login required) Edit Item (login required)