Hybrid Spaces, Hybrid Methodologies: Finding Ways of Working with Social Sciences and Humanities in Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract

Starting from the need for responsible research and innovation in computing, this paper addresses the challenges that come from working with the social sciences and the humanities in human-computer interaction. In this paper, we attempt to move beyond interdisciplinarity towards transdisciplinarity. In particular, we explore concepts of hybridity and third spaces that are used in HCI participatory design practices. We trace back the postcolonial, decolonial and feminist scholarship basis of these concepts and look at how their critical potential can inform a conceptualization of what we call hybrid methodology in its own right. For this, we present three case studies. The first two work with experimental spaces in artistic research and research through design, the third works with intersectional critical and speculative methodologies in machine learning systems design. The first two case studies center around the discussions of disciplinary openness through experimentation as a way of moving beyond interdisciplinarity towards transdisciplinarity; the third zooms in on the role of critical theoretical knowledge from the social sciences and the humanities as knowledge that enables new orientations in research and design of IT systems.