What we mean by information — the elementary unit of information — is a difference which makes a difference
Gregory Bateson, “Steps to an Ecology of Mind” (1972)
This research blog is run by the team of the Participatory IT Design department (formerly Gender/Diversity in Informatics Systems research group), located at the University of Kassel, Germany. The blog is part of the interdisciplinary, innovative and experimental activities that go outside of the regular disciplinary and thematic boundaries that are conducted by the Research Lab of the aforementioned group.
Our goal is to provide space for interdisciplinary encounters and coalitions that have potential to connect different research and practice communities, including gender and diversity studies, computer science, arts, critical theory, and science and technology studies. Thematically thus, we focus on convergences between different practices and knowledges, that are exemplified by, but not limited to, the following clusters:
- Critical Computing;
- Social Machines;
- Technological Imaginaries;
- Conscious Design.
The blog publishes original research-in-progress as well as thought pieces, reports, reviews and other material that comments on, contributes to or intervenes in the socio-technical processes that shape contemporary societies. In this respect, the content published on this blog moves along theoretical, methodological, socio-cultural-political and practical vectors simultaneously. We aim at providing space for original insights, concepts and practices that entail critical analysis as well as point towards alternatives: in other words, we seek this blog to be one of the engines of difference and meaningful conceptual, theoretical or practical intervention towards a more just, equal, and sustainable society.
If you would like to contribute to this blog, please read Editorial Policy and Commentary Etiquette, and refer to the blog editorial team at editor@enginesofdifference.org