No hidden catch, no strings attached: Twelve steps to cross-disciplinary conversations about technology

Abstract

While the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) field widely recognises the need for interdisciplinarity, academic traditions from older fields still limit the scope of cross-disciplinary discourse. As HCI scholars come from a variety of backgrounds, developing new HCI-specific research agendas requires a deep immersion in a cross-disciplinary discussion and a thorough understanding of those with a different academic upbringing. This may be difficult in the eventful life of an HCI academic. In this paper, we propose a twelve-step programme that helps foster a better cross-disciplinary discourse. Having successfully survived a multitude of intense arguments between a computer scientist and a psychologist, we offer an easy way to have fruitful and civilised cross-disciplinary discussions. Our programme is designed to help HCI academics broaden their mind and interface with other disciplines while preserving their sanity.