Workshop on activity theory in information systems design:
how do we develop methods and techniques based on AT?

Organizer: Olav W. Bertelsen, Department of Computer Science, University of Aarhus, Denmark

Activity theory, and related theories of how human beings relate to their surroundings, have been recognized as valuable frameworks for disciplines like information systems design, human computer interaction and computer supported cooperative work for a couple of decades. Most often, however, activity theory has served as an analytical perspective or a general worldview, rather than as basis for operational methods for design and assessment.

The purpose of this workshop is to discuss how experiences with using activity theory in design and research projects can be used as a basis for operational methods and techniques, described in an applicable (cookbook-like) form. That is, how can AT be made accessible for practitioners?

Participants are invited to present experiences with applying activity theory in design and research projects. Examples that can be seen as embryonic forms of methods and techniques based on AT are especially encouraged.

Due to the short time available at the IRIS 24 seminar (2 hours), some pre-workshop work is needed:

To participate in the workshop you have to submit a position statement containing at least a brief self-description relevant for the workshop. If you want to present AT based experiences to the workshop, a short description should also be submitted.

Position statements and experiences to be discussed at the workshop will be distributed to the participants in advanced. Hopefully, we will have some email discussion in advance.

The workshop will be organized as a mix of presentations of submitted experiences and discussions aimed at the formulation of operational methods based on activity theory. Depending on the number of participants, we may split into smaller groups for some of the discussion.

Participants

• Anja Mursu. Dept. of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of Jyväskylä.
• Bettina Törpel, GMD FIT, Sankt Augustin.
• Birgit R. Krogstie. the Polytechnic College of Norway.
• Edward Gould. Activity Theory Usability Laboratory, Department of Information Systems, University of Wollongong.
• Ellen Christiansen. Dept. of Information Studies, University of Aarhus.
• Eva Hornecker. Universitaet Bremen, Forschungszentrum Arbeit Umwelt Technik (artec)
• Janne Lehenkari, Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research, University of Helsinki.
• Lars Taxén. Ericsson Radio Systems AB / Linköping University, IDA.
• Markku Nurminen, Laboris, University of Turku.
• Olav Bertelsen. Dept. of Computer Science. University of Aarhus.
• Sampsa Hyysalo Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research, University of Helsinki.

Due to the way the workshop is planned to proceed it is open for these pre-registered participants only.