New Special Interest Group (SIG)

Design Justice & Ethics

SIG Leaders: Anastasia Kouvaras Ostrowski, William Wilding and Madhurima Das

The Design Justice and Ethics SIG is dedicated to exploring how design practices intersect with justice and ethics to address systemic inequalities, promote social responsibility, and foster inclusive outcomes. This agenda begins by examining the historical and methodological foundations of design justice, identifying gaps in traditional approaches, and highlighting the need for innovative frameworks that integrate diverse perspectives. The SIG seeks to deepen understanding of the ethical dimensions of design by focusing on how decision-making processes can either reinforce or challenge existing societal inequities. By engaging with critical case studies, members will explore real-world applications and implications of justice-focused design in various contexts, from accessibility and equity to sustainability and technology.

Emerging areas of interest in this SIG include the ethical and societal implications of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, sensing technologies, and brain-computer interfaces, which are increasingly shaping design practices. Discussions will address both the opportunities and challenges these technologies present, emphasizing the importance of embedding ethical considerations into their development and use. Additionally, the SIG aims to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations with ethicists, social scientists, cognitive scientists, and policymakers to enrich research and practice. Through workshops, publications, and partnerships, this SIG will work to influence design education, professional standards, and industry practices, ensuring that justice and ethics remain central to the evolving role of design in society.

If you are interested in joining the team, contributing to the SIG, or receiving updates, we would love to hear from you! Email us at akostrow@purdue.edu, william.wilding@unimelb.edu.au, and rimadas@mit.edu.

Our new Design Justice & Ethics SIG website will be released soon.

The Design Society SIG community

Don't forget to explore all of the SIGs we have as part of the Design Society community and get involved as a DS member! You can see what SIGs we have available here: DS Special Interest Groups