Design Justice & Ethics

Agenda

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.

Focus

A diverse range of researchers and practitioners are engaged in exploring the ethical and justice-oriented dimensions of design globally. These include designers, ethicists, and social scientists examining topics such as accessibility, equity, sustainability, and the social impact of design. This community spans career stages, from PhD students to experienced academics and professionals, with overlapping interests in promoting ethical practices and addressing systemic inequities through design. While discussions on justice and ethics in design occur in isolated forums and conferences, there is currently no cohesive platform for sustained interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development in this critical area.

To address this gap, we propose a SIG on Design Justice and Ethics to unite researchers and practitioners under a shared focus on advancing justice and ethics in design. The SIG has four primary goals over the period 2024–2028:

G1. To establish a forum for sustained interdisciplinary networking and collaboration among researchers and practitioners focused on justice and ethics in design.

G2. To co-create, through this forum, a dynamic and evolving framework for ethical design practices, encompassing diverse methodologies, applications, and future directions for justice-oriented design.

G3. To foster professional development and address training needs for members, particularly early-career researchers, in integrating justice and ethics into design practice.

G4. To generate actionable insights and resources that influence design education, professional standards, and policy frameworks.

Objectives:

O1. Organize meetings, workshops, and webinars to facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative discussions on design justice and ethics.

O2. Conduct collaborative activities to develop a comprehensive framework and roadmap for ethical and justice-oriented design research and practice.

O3. Identify and address the developmental needs of researchers and practitioners through curated resources, particularly focusing on supporting early-career members.

This SIG aims to establish a sustained and impactful presence within the design community, driving forward the integration of justice and ethics into research, education, and professional practices.