You are invited to the next School of Computer Science seminar co-hosted by the Digital Wellbeing Lab.

Title: The Pretence of Theory in Human-Computer Interaction

Speaker: Assistant Professor Elisa Mekler, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Location: QUT Gardens Point Campus, S Block, Room S303

Date and time: 01. February 2024, 1.30pm

Abstract:

Human-computer interaction (HCI) has seen a surge in calls for more theory: The promise is that theory-driven research will more effectively inform design, support more rigorous studies, and facilitate cumulative knowledge building. In these accounts, however, “theory” is typically invoked without consideration for the practices and conditions that shape theory use. I call this the “pretence of theory”. In this talk, I showcase how this trend may actually hurt HCI scholarship. Taking Self-Determination Theory in HCI games scholarship as an example, I illustrate how theory is often used in perfunctory and unquestioned ways, and examine conditions and practices that perpetuate this. I then ponder how we might overcome the “pretence of theory” in HCI, and instead move towards more intentional and fruitful uses of theory.

Much of this work was done in close collaboration with Dr. April Tyack, and the talk will be interspersed with personal anecdotes.

Find more information here