Current Perspectives on Participatory Design

Participatory design is increasingly practiced around the world in a variety of culturally specific ways. Though differences abound, the practitioners share a fundamental respect for the people who use technology, and for their right to have a direct influence on decisions that affect their lives. For some, this sort of participation is one step toward a goal of greater "workplace democracy;" for others, it is a crucial aspect of "worker empowerment." In any case, though not a fully accepted part of system development practice, participatory design has become part of the discourse in fields like human-computer interaction.

This special issue offers differing but overlapping perspectives on where participatory design has traveled since its inception in Scandinavia. It reflects a range of theoretical perspectives and socio-political settings. All four papers not only scrutinize the goals and agendas of those who practice participatory design, but also reveal important cultural differences. Such cross-cultural comparisons are especially relevant given participatory design's current focus on the institutional and organizational contexts of design and use. This special issue is intended to contribute to further cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations.