Exploring the potential for participatory design in Africa

A central concern of PDC has been to understand how research, design, and development practices can be supported through the participation of the people who benefit from and are affected by technology-enabled innovations. This year's PDC in Windhoek, Namibia provides the context for a panel discussion focused on opportunities and challenges for adopting participatory approaches that situate technology-enabled innovations in Africa's distinct and varied locales. Many technology organizations recently have established research, design, and development centers in Africa and have initiated projects with the desire to engage the talent and imaginative futures of this diverse region. This panel brings together researchers and practitioners working in Africa who are helping to direct their organizations efforts to locate the "center of design" in the settings and milieu where they work. Panelist will offer their perspectives on what it has meant for them and their organization to situate research, design, and development in Africa with a focus on their efforts to integrate participatory approaches. In addition they will discuss how to strengthen ties among their organizations, academic researchers, and institutions that are committed to participatory design and development to address the particular challenges of the African region.