The Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT) series has hosted the multifaceted dialogue on design for inclusion since 2002, involving disciplines such as computer science, engineering, design, architecture, ergonomics and human factors, policy and gerontology. The biannual workshop is characterised by a single session running over three days in pleasant surroundings.
Information on the last conference (which ran 27-29 March 2023) is given below. The next conference will run in 2025.
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CWUAAT 2023 was held on 27-29 March 2023 at the new venue of St Catharine’s College, a beautiful college right at the centre of Cambridge, UK.
Proceedings of CWUAAT 2023
All the papers submitted to CWUAAT 2023 were peer reviewed by an international panel of currently active researchers. Accepted papers are published as follows:
- Papers accepted for oral presentation at the conference are published in Design for Sustainable Inclusion, which is published by Springer.
- Papers accepted for poster presentation are published in a technical report, which is available on the University of Cambridge repository.
Keynote Speakers at CWUAAT 2023
Cecily Morrison, MBE, Microsoft Research Cambridge
Talk title: The chronicles of Code Jumper: Reflections on building inclusive technologies
Abstract: We all want to build technologies that ‘help’ people. But, how do we choose the right challenge and make something that will get absorbed into the disability ecosystem. This talk will reflect on the process of designing and commercializing Code Jumper, a physical programming language for teaching basic programming to children ages 7 — 11 regardless of level of vision. I will reflect on lessons on how we get from great ideas to impactful inclusive technologies.
Bio: Dr Cecily Morrison, MBE is a principal research manager at Microsoft Research in Cambridge. She leads the Teachable AI experiences team driving innovation in AI experiences through building, deploying, and evaluating novel AI systems intended to enable the future of inclusion. Most recently she has been working on the PeopleLens and Find My Things experiences for people who are blind or low vision. She is also committed to supporting Responsible AI processes and policy work to ensure the most productive use of Artificial Intelligence in our society. Cecily was named on the Queens Birthday list in 2020, receiving an MBE for Inclusive Design.
Rama Gheerawo, Director and Reader in Inclusive Design, The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art
Talk title: Creative Leadership: Born from Design
Abstract: Creative Leadership came from applying the people-centred practice of Inclusive Design to broken models of leadership. It is born from inclusive design projects conducted by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at Royal College of Art with government, industry, academia and the third sector.
It is for three types of people: stablished leaders; emerging leaders; and the biggest group of all — those who were never billed to be leaders. It is defined as: A transformational process based on Empathy, Clarity and Creativity that can be applied to individuals, groups, organisations, technologies and projects.
Whilst it draws on practice from the creative industries it transcends disciplines, roles and institutions. This model centres on enduring, human values, speaking to practical application in innovation, culture-building, experiential learning and individual growth.
The model has been shaped and honed through inclusive design practice over the last fifteen years to arrive at a framework developed through living experience. It is based on the principles:
- Creativity is a universal ability to develop ideas that positively impact ourselves and others
- Empathy is the hallmark of a twenty-first-century leader and is recognised as a signature value
- Clarity is the link that aligns vision, direction and communication, in any personal undertaking, organisation or project
Rama will outline the origins of Creative Leadership, its close relationship with inclusive design and show work from the wide range of organisations have benefited from theoretical and practical application.
Bio: Rama is an international figure within design. He won a Design Week 'Hall of Fame' award in 2019 and was named a 2018 Creative Leader by Creative Review. He addresses diversity through age, ability, gender and race. He is a serial innovator in the field of Inclusive Design having led over 100 international projects with business, government and the third sector. He runs highly acclaimed workshops in Creative Leadership and has a forthcoming book out on the subject in March 2022
Social media: @RamaGheerawo on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Organising committee
- Dr Joy Goodman-Deane, Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge
- Prof Hua Dong, Brunel University, London
- Prof Ann Heylighen, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Prof Jonathan Lazar, University of Maryland and Trace Center, USA
- Prof P John Clarkson, Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge
For further information please contact: edc-toolkit@eng.cam.ac.uk
Programme committee
We would also like to thank all those who helped with the reviewing process:
- Margo Annemans, KU Leuven and University of Antwerp
- Weiqin Chen, Oslo Metropolitan University
- Christina Choi, Royal College of Art
- Sarah Marie Coppola, University of Washington
- John Dudley, University of Cambridge
- Marie Elf, Dalarna University
- Pleuntje Jellema, KU Leuven
- Maja Kevdzija, TU Wien
- Timoleon Kipouros, University of Cambridge
- Chris McGinley, Royal College of Art
- Nina Nesterova, Breda University of the Applied Sciences
- Farnaz Nickpour, University of Liverpool
- Sushil Oswal, University of Washington
- Carlos Pereira, University of Lisbon
- Natalia Pérez Liebergesell, KU Leuven
- Anya Petyaeva, University of Cambridge
- Robert Phillips, Royal College of Art
- Elisabet Roca, Universitat Politécnica de Barcelona
- Emilio Rossi, Lincoln School of Design
- Abdusselam Selami Cifter, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
- Lee Skrypchuk, Jaguar Land Rover and Visiting researcher, University of Cambridge
- Jodi Sturge, University of Twente
- Brian Wentz, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
- YuanYuan Yin, University of Southampton
- Alistair Yoxall, Sheffield Hallam University
- Matteo Zallio, University of Cambridge
- Emilene Zitkus-De-Andrade, Loughborough University
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