This past semester, the CTS//circle.responsibleComputing hosted an engaging and thought-provoking Brown Bag Seminar Series, “Exploring The Frontiers of Responsible Computing.”
The series brought together scholars, practitioners, and students, both in person and online, to delve into the complexities of ethical and sustainable technology development. Over the course of three seminars, participants explored the core principles of Responsible Computing, its practical applications, and the emerging trends shaping the field’s future.
Below you will find a recap of our past talks and an outlook of whats to come this semester. Recordings of the talks are also avaiable on our YouTube channel
April 11 2024: Demystifying Responsible Computing
The series kicked off on April 11th with a seminar titled “Demystifying Responsible Computing: An Introduction to the Seminar Series & Future Directions,” presented by Dr. Kevin Marc Blasiak. This session laid the groundwork for the series, offering a comprehensive introduction to the concept of Responsible Computing. Dr. Blasiak explored the rationale behind the field, discussing the importance of integrating ethical considerations into technology development and use. He also provided insights into the practicalities of implementing these principles, setting the stage for the subsequent seminars.
May 16 2024: Co-Creation and Participation in Urban Planning
On May 16th, Prof. Hilda Tellioğlu led a seminar on “Co-Creation and Participation of Citizens in Urban Planning.” This session focused on the critical themes of engagement, participation, and consensus-building in technology-supported co-creation processes within urban planning. Prof. Tellioğlu’s talk was rooted in the concepts and methods of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) and Participatory Design (PD), and she explored various participatory and co-creation methods from different disciplines. Her insights highlighted the importance of involving citizens in urban planning processes to create more inclusive and effective solutions.
June 19 2024: Designing and Executing User Studies
The final seminar of the summer, held on June 19th, was presented by Ana Vesic, BSc., and Ambika Shahu, MSc., and focused on “Designing and Executing User Studies: Best Practices for Responsible Computing.” This seminar provided attendees with a detailed overview of responsible computing in the context of user studies. Vesic and Shahu discussed the key considerations when designing technology solutions and the corresponding user studies. They introduced the concept of responsible research and innovation, followed by a discussion on different user research methods. A case study on designing a software solution for learning new motor skills was also presented, offering practical lessons and advice for future work.
Looking Ahead: New Seminar Series in the Upcoming Semester
Building on the success of this semester’s series, we are excited to announce that the CTS//circle.responsibleComputing Brown Bag Seminar Series will continue in the upcoming semester. We will feature new speakers who will discuss cutting-edge themes in Responsible Computing. Stay tuned for further announcements, as we reveal the details of the next series soon.