Embracing Ubuntu: Mapping Communal Ecologies in Participatory Design for HCI Practice

In an era where interconnectedness and relationality are integral to technology development and innovation, local communal philosophies and approaches have become important in developing effective and inclusive participatory design practices. While Ubuntu, a popular communal philosophy originating in Southern Africa, has been commonly referenced as an ideal approach in various domains, there is a lack of understanding of how Ubuntu principles can be adopted in a practical way during participatory design (PD) projects within the field of Human Computer Interaction. This workshop aims to explore the practical adoption of Ubuntu principles in HCI practice, focusing on community-driven methodologies in PD. Through mapping communal Ubuntu practices, including community-informed decision-making, ethical action, care practices, and co-design methodologies, the workshop seeks to bridge the gap between theory and action. By contextualising Ubuntu within realised projects, the workshop endeavours to establish guidelines for embracing community-centred philosophies in PD, fostering inclusive and community-centred design processes.