Research ethics: Challenging the role of efficiency in user experience design

[ UUID ] 97f52152-8700-4d4e-83b0-6fbe0a12ce90

[ Session Name ] Research ethics: Challenging the role of efficiency in user experience design [ Primary Space ] Digital Inclusion [ Secondary Space ] Openness

[ Submitter's Name ] Lindsay Ferris [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Ad Hoc

[ Other Facilitator 1's Name ] Libby Kaufer

What will happen in your session?

UX research/design promises strong products that enable users to navigate quickly and efficiently. However, there are clear examples in consumer and government technology illustrating efficiency is at best, a bad metric for product performance, and even potentially harmful to those it purports to serve. In the quest for efficiency, practitioners should consider whose interests are at heart and what their implications are on people interacting with these products.

We will challenge efficiency in UX through group learning. First, the facilitators will present the problem and lead a discussion on ethical questions in UX. Participants will then break into small groups to brainstorm challenges and solutions. Finally, we will map these findings on a wall, connecting the participants’ work together.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

We believe that the motivations driving the desire for efficiency in UX come from many different sectors, from policy, NGOs, academia, and the private sector. Because of the wide array of backgrounds that MozFest brings together, we believe this forum will provide a great opportunity to both influence many of these inflection points as well as draw upon different perspectives and expertise to problem solve.

Our session has several aims: 1) Educate participants on the ethical issues that arise in UX research/design; 2) Map the different endpoints and interests driving efficiency in the field, and; 3) Crowdsource strategies to apply ethical frameworks to research going forward.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

White board or wall for mapping exxercise

Time needed

60 mins