I n d e x
Related Programmes
IRIHCS aims to heighten the awareness of the social and cultural effects
of new technology and help establish human-centredness as a new paradigm
of technological developments. The Institute's human centred tradition moderates
science and technology by mitigating the 'mechanistic paradigm' through concepts
such as diversity, human purpose, participation, equality, social responsibility,
ethics, and creativity. The work of the Institute is underpined by human-centred
traditions such as the British tradition of Human-Centred Systems, the German
tradition of Social and Cultural Shaping of Work and Technology, the Scandinavian
tradition of Democracy, Dialogue and Participation, as well as by the cultural
traditions of the East such as diversity, harmony, order, balance, empathy
and beauty.
The Institute facilitates international collaboration on human centred research.
Through its members it organises international workshops, symposia and
conferences. It facilitates the exchange of researchers and students between
institutions and across national boundaries. It produces and publishes reports,
journals, book series, and videos/films on questions fundamental to the
frameworks, practices and methodologies of the human-centred tradition.
The Institute's influence derives from its individual members, its links
with supporting research centres, and associated institutions. The Institute
is a human network rather than a physical entity in the traditional sense.
Its members are not bound by any constitution. They work together because
they share a common belief in enabling people to shape new technology appropriate
to their working and living environments. The Institute is coordinated by
a Secretariat.
An emancipatory tradition
The Human-centred tradition places human needs, interests, purpose, skill,
creativity, and human potential at the centre of social innovation in
organisations and technology.
Human-centred systems research emphasises the richness of cultural, user
and systems diversity. It celebrates human creativity and is committed to
forms of science and technology which are caring of humans and environment.
HCS research starts from the premise that the most precious asset that any
organisation or nation has is the skill, ingenuity, creativity, imagination
and intentionality of its people. It therefore sets out to provide tools
to support and enhance human creative abilities.
Over the years, the basic concepts and methods of the human centred tradition
have been refined and developed at research centres, particularly in Europe.
Since the 1970s, this tradition has developed as the major influence underlying
such culturally-oriented developments as the British 'LUCAS Plan' for 'Socially
Useful Production'; the 'Humanisation of Work and Technology' programme in
Germany; and the 'Democracy and Participation' programme in Scandinavia.
Recent developments include the EC Programme on 'Anthropocentric Technology
& Systems'; research initiatives on 'Culture, Language and Artificial
Intelligence', ëSocial and Cultural Shaping of Work and Technology',
'Culture of the Artificial', 'Sustainable Systems Design', and 'Social
Citizenship'. Since 1990, the IRIHCS has collaborated in human centred debates
and research activities in Japan, India, China, Australia, and North
America.
An International Network
IRIHCS organises an annual workshop/conference on a major strategic topic,
publishes its proceedings, and disseminates its findings through international
research networks. In addition, the Institute supports:
* International research networks on Human Centred Systems
* International Collaboration on human centred systems research
* International conferences and workshops on Human Centred issues
* Establishment of networks for practitioners of human centredness in industry
* Training and education for working people in human centred applications
* AI & Society , the International journal of Human Centred Systems, and the
associated Book Series on 'Artificial Intelligence and Society' published by Springer-
Verlag
* Working Paper Series, IMES
* Exchange of postgraduate and doctoral students
* Visiting research scientists internationally
* Postgraduate courses and Doctoral research programmes on Human Centred Systems
* International PhD (Doctoral) programme on Culture and Technology
* Research programme on Scientific methodologies based on human purpose
Disseminating the human centred research culture
The IRIHCS disseminates the human centred research culture through its research
networks, annual conference/ workshop, and through the journal AI &
Society, and the related book series on Artificial Intelligence and
Society, published by Springer-Verlag. In addition the IRIHCS promotes
the dissemination of human centred research though other research centres
and their own publications such as The Dialoger (Sweden), AT&S Newsletter
(FAST-EC), IMES (University of Urbino) working papers on Culture and Advanced
Technologies, CAPIRN Newsletter (Bremen University), SEAKE Working papers
(University of Brighton), Japan Newsletter on Human Centred Systems (RISS,
NTT DATA, Tokyo). The IRIHCS members promote regular seminars and talks on
human centred systems by visiting scholars.
Membership
The existing membership consists of individual researchers and practitioners
throughout the world. Membership is open to individuals interested in the
human-centred traditions. Research centres and companies are welcome to apply
for associate membership. For further information, please contact the
International Coordinator at the address below.
IRIHCS Secretariat
Mike Cooley, Founding President
95 Sussex Place, Slough, Berks. SL1 1NN, England
Tel: +44 753-520866 Fax: +44 753 575770
Karamjit S Gill, International Coordinator
SEAKE Centre,
School of Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences
University of Brighton
Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
Tel: +44 273 643510 (direct)/643500 (office); Fax: +44 273 642405