Academic Mindtrek

Paper 4: The City at Play: the case of S’cianco game in Verona and the origin of Tocatì - International Street Games Festival
By: Francesca Berti and Nicola Gasperini

Paper 5: Prospettive di Connessioni Urbane*: a case study about using Instagram to keep in touch with urban places in Naples (Italy) during COVID-19 pandemic 
By: Flora Gatti, Fortuna Procentese and Robb Mitchell

Paper 6: Automatic Recognition of Playful Physical Activity Opportunities of the Urban Environment  
By:Tuure Saloheimo, Maximus Kaos, Pia Fricker and Perttu Hämäläinen

Paper 7:  A Speculative Catalog of Playful Urban Technology: Exploring the Playful Potential of Smart Cities
By: Ferran Altarriba Bertran, Jared Duval, Laura Bisbe Armengol, Ivy Chen, Victor Dong, Binaisha Dastoor, Adrià Altarriba Bertran and Katherine Isbister

Paper 8: What Would Margaret Atwood Do? Designing for Ustopia in HCI 
By:Renee Noortman, Mathias Funk, Kristina Andersen and Berry Eggen

Paper 9: WorldBuilding and Mandala as a Tool for Co-Speculating on the Healthcare Domain in 2050
By: Asim Evren Yantaç, Ali Vatansever, Tevfik Omaç, İlker Kayı and Kemal Kuşcu 

Paper 10: Ethics and Power Dynamics in Playful Technology for Animals: Using speculative design to provoke reflection 
By:Fiona French, Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, Heli Väätäjä, Patricia Pons, Sabrina Karl, Yoram Chisik, Eleonora Nannoni, Anna Zamansky, Mandeep Mangat, Patrizia Paci, Haruka Kasuga and Dana Vilker 

Workshop by: Raphael Kim, Larissa Pschetz, Conor Linehan, Chang Hee Lee, and Stefan Poslad

ABSTRACT

Continuing developments in DNA-based digital data storage systems promise us a sustainable, techno-utopian future; propositioning bio-digital solutions addressing the ever-increasing global data production, and inadequacies of conventional storage infrastructure to meet the demand. Distinct attributes of DNA make it an attractive archival medium. With its ability to retain high density of digital information cheaply, and to do so over multi-lifespans, DNA-based storage systems are seen as able to radically shape how we archive and use data, across wide-ranging applications. However, while the stakeholders continue to refine and race towards commercialization of the emerging technology, its sociocultural and ethical implications remain unexplored, limiting opportunities to generate insights on how such systems could be better designed and experienced. This workshop begins to explore what our DNA-mediated archival futures may hold. We learn about the fundamental principles governing the new technology and create stories about its pervasion in our lives, mediated through design fiction and structured discourse.

WORKSHOP GOALS
Our goal for running of the workshop is two-fold. By the end of the workshop, we hope that the participants would have gained the following: First, a better understanding and awareness of the technological landscape of DNA-based data storage systems; on their components, mechanisms, importance, trends, and key players, as well as potential and limitations. And second, an experience to think about the future of the emerging technology, through informed speculations, story building, object making, and discussions.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Below is our provisional timeline of the workshop. The duration of each activity is an estimate and are subject to change according to cohort size and conference scheduling. Essentially, the session is divided into four parts, which are shown in the timeline below. A suggested allocation within the day would be to undertake parts I, II, and III in the morning, followed by a lunch break (1 hr), and concluded with part IV in the afternoon.

Part I: Introduction 10 min
Part II: Technology Landscaping 80 min
- Keynote Presentation 45 min
- Q&A and Discussion 25 min
- Break 10min
Part III: Story Building 90 min
(Lunch) Break 60 min
Part IV: Story Showcase/Discussion/Debrief 60 min


CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Participants are invited to submit a short position paper (1-2 pages long, including references), briefly describing their research area and/or interest, and motivations for attendance. Position papers should be in double-column, using ACM Conference Proceedings "Master" Template, sent to Raphael Kim (r.s.kim@qmul.ac.uk). At least one author of each paper must attend the workshop.