Evaluation, sustainability and long-term effects of participatory design projects

Abstract

This workshop aims to engage scholars and practitioners interested in user involvement in sharing experiences and reflections upon evaluation, sustainability and long-term effects of Participatory Design (PD) projects. Despite having 'people' as core interest, PD projects rarely venture into systematic evaluation of what the involved parties gained, how to ensure sustainability of initiatives beyond a project, or assessing long-term effects. Many PD projects aim to design a technology, provide a proof-of-concept, or assess a method or technique for involving people in design processes. While these are all laudable aims, we believe attention to evaluation, sustainability and long-term effects could provide fruitful feedback on these issues as well as further ensure that PD initiatives last beyond the singular project through acquired skills of participants and in the organization. Through this workshop, we aim to spur discussions and reflections upon gains, sustainability and long-term effects that can strengthen the lasting outcomes of PD initiatives.