Post-Growth HCI

Neha Kumar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of International Affairs and Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech

April 11, 2024, 3 - 4 PM ET
Hybrid Event - Teams Link

BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 118
Refreshments will be served.

Abstract: Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers have increasingly been questioning computing’s engagement with unsustainable and unjust economic growth, pushing for identifying alternatives. Incorporating degrowth, post-development, and steady-state approaches, post-growth philosophy offers an alternative not rooted in growth but in improving quality of life. It recommends an equitable reduction in resource use through sensible distributive practices where fulfillment is based on values including solidarity, cooperation, care, social justice, and localized development. This brand new TOCHI paper—coauthored with Vishal Sharma and Bonnie Nardi—that I will present describes opportunities for HCI to take a post-growth orientation in research, design, and practice to reimagine the design of sociotechnical systems toward advancing sustainable, just, and humane futures. We aim for the critiques, concerns, and recommendations offered by post-growth to be integrated into transformative HCI practices for technology-mediated change.

Bio: Neha Kumar is an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, where she works at the intersection of human-centered computing and global sustainable development, with a focus on infrastructuring care and engaging community. Her lab’s research has been recognized by multiple ACM Best Paper and Honorable Mention awards at the ACM CHI and CSCW conferences. Neha earned her PhD at the UC Berkeley School of Information, Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Education at Stanford University, and Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Applied Math at UC Berkeley. Neha currently serves as the president of ACM SIGCHI.