CHI 2011 – HCI & Peace PanelUsing Technology to Build Bridges of Communication“The case of Cyprus

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris > Associate Professorpanayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy | http://www.zaphiris.org/

Never thought, I will have a chance to present on this topic at a conference like CHI.

Goal of the work presented was never to advance science or generate wonderful user interfaces nor to attract funding or publish in strong journals and conferences.

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Points to note

1. Short historical overview of Cyprus issue/conflict/problem

3. Pieces from old slides and projects

5. A new project and new ideas

7. Some questions on how HCI can help

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Structure

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Let’s set some context - Cyprus

•Around 1 million population (82% Greek Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots – other small communities: Armenians, Maronites, Latins) •Member of EU since 2004 (presidency of EU in second half of 2012)

•Around $30,000 GDP per capita (which is equal to the average of EU)

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Some facts

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Cyprus

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

• The political dimension and underlining geo-strategic interests of various players.

• The human dimension• Thousands of dead/missing (around 10,000 - 1% of

population)• More than 40% of population displaced• Economic structure reshuffled in the re-

establishment of the collapsed economy• Cut off social links and social structure

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Dimensions of conflict

Case 1: Cyprus-L mailing list

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Using Technology to Build Bridges of Communication

Case 2: Peace-Cyprus.org

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Using Technology to Build Bridges of Communication

• Peace-Cyprus.Org was launched on the 15th of June 2000

• Goal - Promoting the use of technology in the peace-building efforts for the Cypriot people• To provide an environment for all people of

Cyprus to express themselves• etc

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Peace-cyprus.org

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Peace-cyprus.org activities

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Peace-cyprus.org activities

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

• Facilitate the sharing of stories (old and new) and hear the other view

• Project funded from Fulbright commission through a student project (Alice Wang from Georgia Tech)

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Case 3: Digital Shared Narratives

Focus groups, brainstorming sessions, prototyping. UCD approach

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

Case 3: Digital Shared Narratives

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

• Or to put it better: how can the work we do help such situations ?

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Facilitate Conflict Management

• In certain cases, electronic communication is the only means of talking to the ‘other side’.

• • How can we develop systems that can facilitate open

discussion of such emotional and tense issues/situations?

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Can we analyse such online forums to understand better the dynamics and structures of such communication ?

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Can we build on this and simulate situations ?

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Can we apply principles of Inclusive Design to such situations ? • e.g. culturally sensitive design• e.g. proper use of terminology and symbols

• Can we apply our skills on ethnographic/contextual design to such situations ? E.g. by understanding better the situation before offering solutions (technological or not).

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Creativity workshops might give a chance for all voices to be heard. Might encourage collaboration and interaction among conflicting groups or/and identify common ground.

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Often the cure of a genetic disease depends on reaching out to the 'enemy' (e.g. Leukemia patients searching for matching bone marrow donors, or Thalassemia patients in need of blood donors). How can technology/HCI help here ?

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

CHI 2011

How can “HCI” help

Dr. Panayiotis Zaphiris | panayiotis.zaphiris@cut.ac.cy

What else ? – Thanks.